Day 14,   May 11

We moved again today, we drove about 100 miles. On the way we had stopped at the Natural Bridge, outside Slade, Kentucky. The leader said to be careful that not too many stop cause of parking, not much room, but there was plenty of room. We had taken a sky lift to the top which is 600 ft up, the mountain laurel are blooming and they were really neat on the ride to the top. When we got off, we walked to a ledge to see it from a distances and then walked across the top of the bridge and to the stairs down under the arch. Ken had walked down, I did not, too many stairs for my leg to climb, he did say it was worth the walk. While there, we came upon a group of kids that we saw in the Capitol and then in the candy store, Ken had talked to then under the arch and they said they are from the area and are on a three day trip, some did remember him.

 Got to camp around 2 pm, relaxed a little before it was time to go again. We had driven into town to the Mayo Church, and met John Mayo, actor, he talked to us about the churches history, stained glass and pipe organ. The church building began in 1808, the cost was estimated to be $10,000, the land was donated, and at its completion the building's cost was over $30,000 and it was considered the finest church in the area. The church was constructed of native sandstone, the roof is made of over 12,000 glazed green tiles that weigh 6 pounds each. The stained glass windows portray the Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. The church is also notable for it's Pilcher pipe organ donated by Andrew Carnegie, the organ has been refurbished, a process taking about 6 weeks.

 Day15,   May 12

Left this morning and went to the OSCAR center, for arts & crafts. This was really different, we never did arts and crafts before on a caravan. It was very relaxing for some and nerve racking for others. Some painted tiles, flower pots and some did tin punching, and then some did clay work. They also had coffee and refreshment for us, cookies made with cornmeal, salsa made with corn and corn on cob made with twinkles, Reese's pieces and corn candy, really cute looking, no one ate these, they were just for show. This was an old school that they converted into an art center. When we were done, we went back to our trailer and had lunch.

Left again and went to Mountain Home Place for a tour, which is just a short distance from our campground. This place showcases the McKenzie farm house, once a family residence, which was constructed in the double pen design. A one room schoolhouse, double crib barn and the original Fishtrap United Baptist Church are among the attractions. The museum offers visitors a chance to see and touch authentic tools, clothing and wares that were used during the 1850's.

 Later toward evening we had a cookout, where a few couples got together and had planned this for the 49 people that are on this caravan. They served soft shell tacos with all the fixings, tortilla chips with salsa, mixed fruit, and klondike for dessert.

We then went to Country Music Highway Museum for a tour, this tour highlighted the people from this area that made it into country music. Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, which are sisters, The Judd's, Patty Loveless, Tom T. Hall, Gary Stewart, Billy Ray Cyrus and Dwight Yoakum, just to name a few. After our tour, we had entertainment, Five Miles From Nowhere, this is a group of men from the area that have been singing together for 20 years or so. They were really good and included some of our group, singing, and dancing, we all enjoyed them.

Day 16,   May 13

 They changed our schedule this morning, we were to go to Jenny Wiley gravesite and Black Barn Produce. We decided to go out on our own, drove to the Black Barn Produce store, this is a store that sells things in bulk. They had seeds to plant in your garden, and food items in barrels and tubs, like rice, dried beans, hominy, and candy. They also sold flowers in pots and plants for the garden.

We then continued to Jenny Wiley's gravesite, this women was married with one child and pregnant. She was captured by the Indians in 1789 and witnessed the slaying of her brother and five children by savages, she was held captive for several months. She escaped from the Indians, and was reunited with her husband in Virginia. They returned to Kentucky , built a cabin, raised five children, and she had died in1831.

 We had returned, relaxed and carpooled to Loretta Lynn's home, about 10

miles away. We had taken turns visiting her home, her brother was there to give us the tour. Her cabin was only four rooms, situated on the side of the hill. Loretta got married when she was really young and moved away. The other people stayed at a small store and had RC Cola and Moon Pies.

 We had a catered meal for dinner, fried chicken, fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, and chocolate, coconut, or apple pies, really good food. After dinner, we had two people in our group sing and play, and then had music played from computer with dancing, all had fun. It is now raining and they are calling for rain tomorrow.