Visit to Bardstown, Kentucky

On our preparation day, Saturday Nov. 30, we went to a small town about 40 miles SE of Louisville to see the Christmas lights. We took the Hiatt's, a Sr. Missionary couple, from Mt. Airy, ( Mayberry) North Carolina who serve in the Shawnee Branch with us. We had heard about the tree lighting event the night before, but we weren't able to go then.  We went in the afternoon so we could see the town and walk around. Bardstown is named "One of the most liveable cities in America".  They have a town square surrounded by Historic buildings dating back to the 1800's. We walked around main street and went in some fun Christmas Shops. All the people were very friendly, so the men visited while the ladies looked at the decorations.  Sister Hiatt and I got our picture taken in a shop amid the decorations.

We especially liked the Talbott Tavern. It was a stagecoach stop and has operated for 200 years serving food, drink. and lodging to travelers and guests from all over the world. The first picture is the front of it and the picture beneath it of us is by the side door. There was even a horse drawn carriage that you could take a ride in.

 

 

The picture below is of Sister Hiatt with a shop owner who she said looks just like her brother who had passed away. That was a highlight for her.  This man is from Texas and is a retired cop, so that was a highlight for Jason. We found out that his daughter is a police officer right here in Shawnee, where we go to church. He was very entertaining.

Several people recommended that we eat at Mammie's on main street.  It was a fun place and we ate dinner there. The man sitting next to us came up and introduced himself as President McQuire of the Bardstown branch. That was fun! When we finished eating, all the lights on Main Street were on.

Next,  we headed over the My Old Kentucky Home state park. We found out that they were having a candlelight tour of the home that night. This is the home that inspired Stephen Foster to write the song, "My old Kentucky Home". It was amazing and beautiful. We hope to return to see it in another season and take pictures. After I got home from our visit to Bardstown, I felt like I had just stepped out of a Hallmark movie. We found out that the elders live just to the left of town hall in the upstairs of a historic home, so I guess they live in a Hallmark movie! Now we know why it is such a " liveable" town.