Getting to Know … – Just Get in the Car

Getting to know author and Hawaiian enthusiast, Katherine Kayne

Just Get in the Car — Fri, 15 May 2020 19:21:55 +0000

Recently, I had the opportunity to review Bound in Flame, a wonderful fiction piece written by Katherine Kayne. Read about that here! The story let me escape to Hawaii for a bit, and I thought Katherine would be a great person for our next Getting to know you post. Below, see what she has to say about the Hawaiian culture, history, and beauty she loves so much.

Bound in Flame is a Hawaiian adventure, romance, and story of a strong female character. What was your inspiration for this story? Have you ever seen a parade in Hawaii? They are the best! There is a tradition of women dressing to ride like the historic royalty. It is stunningly beautiful; the practice is called pa’u. The women use it as a way to celebrate their history. And what a history it is! The first time I saw the riders I began to research how women lived in the early 1900s. What I learned about these fierce women became the inspiration for Bound in Flame. Hawaiian ladies were expert horsewomen, businesswomen and astute politicians. Because the United States had unlawfully seized the Hawaiian Kingdom they chose to fight for what they believed in. And the right to vote too. I am writing a whole series based on these women called the Hawaiian Ladies’ Riding Society.

We visited Hawaii on our honeymoon – Maui and Kauai. We spent more time on Maui, but really loved the lushness of Kauai. Tell us about your favorite parts of Hawaii. We are in love with the Big Island. It is so big you can put Maui and Kauai and all the other islands (and then some) within its borders. Almost every climate zone in the world is represented. You want tropical rainforest? Check. High mountain desert? Check. And perhaps the most beautiful beach in all the islands? Check that box too with Hapuna Beach. We never tire of it because there is always something to do or see. One of my favorite things are the farmers’ markets. They are all over the island with three in upcountry Waimea alone. The produce is beyond amazing. Particularly the fresh papaya and the local boletus mushrooms called ali’i. You will want to cook even if you are on vacation.

I noticed on your Facebook page a post about Orchids. Are you a plant lover? What are your tips for indoor Orchid care, any secrets? I love orchids because they are so easy. Yes, there are secrets to indoor orchid care. Well actually one. Ice cubes. Orchids like cool wet toes. So every week, instead of watering, put a couple of ice cubes at the base of the plant. Easy, huh?

When you can’t get to Hawaii, what are some other places you enjoy visiting? (If you’d like to talk about your New Zealand trip, that’s great!) I just love islands of all kinds. Puget Sound – that is the body of water where Seattle’s harbor lies – is enormous. And full of islands! Since we winter on Hawaii Island we are fortunate to summer on one in Puget Sound. The farther south you go in the Sound the calmer the waters are, except when the tides are running. Wildlife is abundant. We spent last weekend watching sea lions having a herring party! Next week will finally be getting out kayaks out. I can’t wait.

If our readers are looking to plan a trip to Hawaii, what are your best pointers? What islands should they visit? Any particular places that you encourage people to seek out and explore? First of all recognize that Hawaii will be slow to re-open after the virus. The healthcare system is not designed to handle all the needs of Hawaii residents and lots of sick tourists too. The Governor has been very deliberate about his plans. Once Hawaii does re-open I suggest looking at renting a condominium. There are lots of choices and it gives you a more local experience. What to see? I have a HUGE list. It is always tempting to head to the beach and stay there. That said you will miss so much of the real Hawaii if you do. Whatever island you are on I would go see at least a couple of historic sites. Two of my favorites are Queen Emma’s Summer Palace on Oahu and Hulihe’e Place on Hawaii Island. These sites are both run by volunteers from the Daughters of Hawaii’i. They give an authentic picture of royal life.

Thank you, Katherine! We loved learning more about your passion for Hawaiian culture, and islands in general! We will be on the lookout for the next adventure of the Hawaiian Ladies’ Riding Society! (And also, thank you for the tip on caring for Orchids!)

-Kristin

Getting to know the 2 Disney Chicks

Just Get in the Car — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 16:38:22 +0000

With our first trip to Disney World, just about two years ago, and our quick escape just last week, we started a family love of the whole magical phenomenon revolving around Mickey. Ok, maybe some of us are more into it then others, but everyone is coming around to the idea that Disney is a wonderful escape from reality. We’ve worked with Lauren and Joanna, otherwise known as the 2 Disney Chicks, for both of our trips. We wanted to get to know them a bit more, so we asked them if they would indulge us by answering a few questions. Here is what they had to say!

How did you both come to be travel agents specializing in Disney?

We had both experienced several Disney destinations and thoroughly enjoyed the level of service that Disney provides their guests. We also both booked our vacations with Ears of Experience and found the process very simplified. We knew that it would be the right fit for us.

What do you love most about what you do?

We are very detail oriented and enjoy working with our clients from start to finish during the planning process. Each family is unique and we love that we can help create special memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.

Do you still have fun planning your own families Disney vacations?

Planning for our families is always fun! We both involve our families in the planning process. And we always like to try something we have never done on a previous trip.

What are your favorite Disney destinations to visit?

Lauren:

The Disney Cruise Line. Aboard the ships, you receive Disney’s high level of service, but in a more relaxed atmosphere. There are things to do for the entire family, from the kids clubs to adult only restaurants. We really enjoy being able to see the world and different cultures.

Joanna:

Walt Disney World. Visiting from childhood with my parents, to adulthood with my own children, there are so many memories that I cherish. As the parks are always changing there is an opportunity with each trip to make new memories.

What are your favorite experiences at Walt Disney World?

Lauren:

My favorite thing to do is to walk down Main Street. I love seeing the excitement on everyone’s faces.

Joanna:

Currently Epcot is one of my favorite parks, especially exploring the countries during the Flower and Garden Festival. Spring is always my favorite time to visit WDW.

Are there any little known facts or secrets you might share with our readers?

It isn’t a secret, but Disney is always changing, and that is part of the fun! We love searching for Hidden Mickey’s and the newest attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has the most hidden Mickey’s than any other Disney attraction or area in the world! You might be able to get a “Paw”tograph at Tony’s Town Square…ask a Cast Member at the restaurant podium. Play A Pirate’s Adventure-Treasures of the Seven Seas and complete at least 2 missions; and you may receive a free FastPass+ for Pirates of the Caribbean.

What are some places that you enjoy visiting when you aren’t doing Disney?

Lauren:

My family is spread out across the United States, so when we are not traveling to Disney, we enjoy visiting our loved ones who reside in Florida, Arizona and California.

Joanna:

My family loves to travel! We tend to lean toward active vacations. Alaska and London are top on our list where we got to experience some unforgettable experiences.

What are some of your favorite local places to visit?

Kettle, White Dog Café, Argyle Boutique, Posh, Ruthie’s Eyes

While a Disney vacation isn’t something most of us can swing on a regular basis, talking about Disney sure is fun! Getting to know Lauren and Joanna has kept the magic going a bit longer for us as we come off of our most recent, very quick, Disney getaway.

Do you have Disney on your mind? Contact the 2 Dis Chicks today to start planning!

-Kristin

Getting to know Brian Niles

Just Get in the Car — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 17:31:30 +0000

I love a good coffee shop. And I’ve loved them for quite some time, even before I really enjoyed good coffee. There is just something about a place in your community where you can go for a peaceful change of scenery, a quiet conversation with a friend, or a place to read a book, or work on whatever you are working on. It helps when the coffee and pastries are delicious too. We’ve posted about Brian Niles before – when we found that he had opened a coffee roasting warehouse in our own community. At that time I was excited, but also a little bummed that House Cup Coffee Roasters did not include an actual coffee shop. Well, lo and behold Brian and his partners stepped in to take over another one of our favorite places, Oakmont Roots Cafe. Now House Cup Cafe, the stage is set for a wonderful community gathering space centered around [one of] America’s treasured beverages – coffee. We thought it would be cool to learn a little bit more about Brian and this new endeavor. Read on to see what he shared with us!

Tell us about yourself. How did you become a coffee aficionado? That’s a tough question to answer – I think of myself as a husband, father, brother, friend, neighbor, colleague, geek, even a schmuck (at times). But factually, I live here in Havertown and share the world with my amazing wife Adrienne, my 20 year old daughter Sarah, our 2-½ year old son Xavier and Lord Spencer, our welsh corgi. My professional career has mostly been in the education space working in higher education but also as an entrepreneur owning another company I founded in 1998 that provided administrative technology solutions for colleges and universities. But as we exceeded 100 employees and I approached 50 I set the goal to do something very different on a daily basis, commit to spending more time in my community than on planes and enjoy what little time we have to learn from others and share what I’ve picked up along the way. So a few years ago with that goal in mind I left my full-time role at my company, travelled up to Vermont to become certified in coffee roasting and setup House Cup Coffee Roasters here in Havertown. Just as Xavier was born. I don’t consider myself an aficionado, always learning and trying new things that have to do with coffee, but sharing my passion for coffee with others. But one thing I try to do is make it more accessible to others – avoiding fancy trends or terms that keep many of us from appreciating something as simple as a great cup of coffee.

House Cup Coffee Roasters is an excellent community builder. What are some of your favorite ways to connect with the community? We’re fortunate that our customers give us the ability to help those that need us, even in such a small way as coffee. We support the local Food Bank with coffee to give to families who need a little help – even customers can help by purchasing a “Suspended Coffee” bag at ½ price that we give to the food bank monthly. We help various fund-raising activities with coffee and baskets to raffle and raise money for good causes that help our community and those within it. And on a daily basis, just get to know people we meet at the new cafe or in the roasthouse. We have a new statement piece in our cafe that tells it more clearly than I can:

“You’ll need coffee shops and sunsets and road trips. Airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs, but people more than anything else. You will need other people and you will need to be that other person to someone else, a living breathing screaming invitation to believe better things.” – Jamie Tworkowski

How long have you lived/worked in Havertown, PA? What do you think is unique about our town? We moved here in 2013. After moving around a bit from Haddonfield NJ, Philadelphia and Phoenixville, the amazing neighbors on Willowbrook Road here in Havertown made it easy for us to settle into this community. I think the most amazing thing about Havertown is that everyone seems to be one degree of separation from everyone else. And there is a sense of support for each other. There are the obvious support events, programs, activities and signs (green lights just being one), but this support seems to be ingrained in the community. And that I find amazing.

If you had a day off to spend around town, where would you go and what would you do? I would first start on our street – what struck me when I first moved here is how everyone looks after each other’s kids – especially on a nice day when they are playing in the street, making up basketball games or running from one house to the next. We’re a front porch neighborhood, and I love that aspect. Then I would probably find myself at one of our amazing restaurants sitting at the corner of the bar most likely chatting it up with the bartender or the beautiful person sitting next to me (my wife). I’ve also found a new appreciation for the trails at the CREC for some exercise and enjoyment of what many people have done to make that such a nice area.

You just made a huge announcement – tell us about the next steps for House Cup Coffee Roasters … Well, that’s probably our cafe on Darby Road. Oakmont Roots had been a wholesale customer of ours but when it was time for the previous owner to move on, he approached me to take it off his hands. It was a very successful business and we’re proud to be continuing to build on that success. Our vision is to create a place for people to come and enjoy – families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, strangers. We also want to help protect our environment as much as we can, so we have a BYO House Cup option – bring in your own cup, tumbler, etc. and fill it up at the service counter yourself for just $1. No need to order or wait in line. It’s an honor system and it seems to be working. We also will be putting our used coffee grounds out back of the cafe each night for any of our local gardeners to come take to support excellent growing. And finally we strive to source our foods locally. Many of our pastries are made right here in Havertown by trained, incredibly talented individuals. We want to support their passions and share it with all of you. We are not at a loss for additional things we plan to do, but one at a time. We’re locally owned, locally roasted and locally sourced.

How do you take your coffee? Black. That’s not to say it’s bad to put cream or anything else in it, I just like it black. The best coffee is the one you like however you like it. I do encourage people to try our coffees without sugar to appreciate the variations in the origin flavors. Those flavors come out of the ground, nothing added, which amazes me how that can happen.

What are you waiting for? Head over to chat with Brian and the other coffee connoisseurs at House Cup Cafe, today! (Don’t forget your cup if you want to grab and go, but I recommend staying to chat!)

-Kristin

Getting to know CJ Mills, Philly Fleadh Guy

Just Get in the Car — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 18:21:49 +0000

Since 2013 we have been enjoying The Philadelphia Fleadh with family and friends. We think it is a great event, celebrating all things Irish, music, and fun in the sun (usually). We promote this event every year for a reason – it’s a great day spent listening to awesome music and hanging out with great people. We thought it would be cool to get to know the man behind the annual event, CJ Mills. Read on to learn more about him and how the Fleadh came to be.

Our Irish roots come from County Donegal. Where are your relations from in Ireland, and how did your Irish background help bring about the Fleadh?

My great great grandfather was a fiddle player from Dublin. I have been playing in Irish bands for about 15 years playing in Roundtower, Common Ground, Killen Thyme, and Jamison Celtic Rock. Recently I have been playing with Seamus McGroary who is from County Donegal, and Kevin OShea – who is from County Delco:)

The Fleadh stemmed from the idea to bring all of the amazing talented Irish and Celtic Rock bands in the Philadelphia area together for one great festival. Philly has become one of the greatest music cities in the country, with a very high percentage of Irish Americans, so what better place than to hold a festival celebrating Irish heritage and Irish music.

We have been attending the Fleadh since the first one in back in 2013. Can you tell our readers a little bit about the event and what they are missing out on if they have not attended one yet?

The Philly Fleadh is an all day, family friendly event that has a little bit of something for everyone. The day starts with The Celtic Flame School of Irish Dance’s Feis at the Fleadh where there over 100 dancers competing from 8am – 12pm. The bands start at 11 am and music is non stop back and forth on the two main stages until 8pm. There are also trad sessions, where all musicians are welcome to bring their instruments, Irish Dance performances, where different dance schools highlight their dancers, and other fun cultural activities like the English Language Learners table, Irish Bingo for the kids, and more. The free kids zone has bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, jumbo jenga and more to keep the little ones occupied. There are also food vendors, irish merchants, and spirits with beer trucks readily accessible at all times and even some whiskey tastings.

Who are some of the performers you have lined up for this year’s Fleadh?

This year we have a great lineup with many returning acts, and some new ones as well featuring the best in Philly. The Philadelphia Irish Music scene is something special, where we are all friends, and all work to support each other. Each band has it’s own following, and can be found playing in the tri-state area at local bars, pubs, AOHs and festivals. The unique concept of this festival, is it gives us all a time to be together at one location. This year’s bands will feature
The John Byrne Band, The Shanty’s, The Bogside Rogues, The Paul Moore Band, Birmingham Six, No Irish Need Apply, Oakwyn, The Natterjacks, Clancy’s Pistol, Killen Clark, Ray Coleman, Mike & Callie and Seamus & CJ. These are by far some of the best entertainers in the area who are also all great people!

You also have some other events throughout the year. What else should our readers look out for in 2020?

The other event that Philly Fleadh productions produces is Celtic Christmas in Bensalem, which is a Christmas show held the first Saturday in December of every year at Bensalem High School’s 1500 seat Performing Arts Center. This show includes a 12 piece band comprised of many different members of different bands that play the Fleadh who all come together for one spectacular performance, as well as dancers from The Celtic Flame School of Irish Dance and The Bucks County Dance Center. Info can be found at CelticChristmasinBensalem.com. Stay tuned to that website, as there will be an announcement for a second show in 2020.

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up. Where do you go to find the best craic in Philly to celebrate?

The Best Craic in Philly is a tough one. There are so many amazing Irish Pubs in the city that all have amazing music. A few of my favorites include Paddy Whacks Irish Sports Pub, who not only has great music in March, but does Irish Saturdays from 3-7 all year long. The Ashburner is a great place and also does Irish music every Sunday afternoon year round. Curran’s Irish Inn is always a great choice in Bensalem or Tacony, The Green Parrot also does the Newtown Irish Festival the week leading up to St. Patrick’s day, and Con Murphys in Center City has great music Thurs. to Sunday, and they just opened a bar in Fort Lauderdale as well where Seamus McGroary and I will be traveling to play Mon, Tues and Wed of St. Patrick’s Week.

What is your favorite Irish whiskey?

My favorite Irish whiskey is absolutely Pop McCanns. Founder Jason Fogg is a local guy from Philly who has been working his butt off to get it on shelves all over the area, and it is an amazing product. One day we will all be saying that we know that guy! Pops is also one of the Fleadh sponsors, and it will be featured at the Fleadh, both for sale, and for some free whiskey tastings.

What are some of the bands and songs we should be listening to in order to prepare for St. Paddy’s Day and the Fleadh?

Bands to listen to…..look at the above list. Supporting local live music is one of the most important things anyone can do. All of the bands playing the Philly Fleadh are excellent and are playing all over Philly in the month of March. Check them out on social media and go support local live music!

-Kristin and Shawn

Getting to know Tim Hagan and The Kentucky Bourbon Boys

Just Get in the Car — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:11:46 +0000

It’s no surprise that Shawn has come to appreciate his bourbon, and he and his college buddies recently enjoyed a trip to Louisville, Kentucky to imbibe. While there, they had a great time experiencing the history, knowledge, and bourbon included in their tour with The Kentucky Bourbon Boys. You’ve read about that before – but we’ve decided to get to know the Chief Operating Officer, Tim Hagan, a little bit better. Here are some of his answers to our questions!

How did you get started with the bourbon tours and Kentucky Bourbon Boys?

The Kentucky Bourbon Boys started as a Hagan family outing with a group of nine men and one female driver in 2011.

The group was made up of novice bourbon drinkers and at that time, the passport for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was smaller, with only six distilleries on the official trail. The group needed a driver for the day, so they recruited their daughter/niece/cousin/sister-in-law for the task. Seeing it as an opportunity for some good social media and blog content, she agreed.

The first bourbon tour was a prototype for all we’ve done for our guests since. We had a 15-passenger van, a steady driver, and memorable stories along the way. We learned about bourbon, the history, process, and stories of each distillery, and sampled some we hadn’t tried previously. Even better, we genuinely enjoyed the day together. On that day, our driver tagged us as the “Kentucky Bourbon Boys.”

A month later we toured a second round of distilleries, and an idea was born. What if we could do this for other people? How exciting would it be to take others on tours to these amazing locations, share our knowledge of what we knew along the way about bourbon, Kentucky, our history, culture, and more?

In 2015 the idea came to life and we officially formed the business – Kentucky Bourbon Boys, and since then, the rest, as they say, is history.

We’ve met new friends at the distilleries and along the way, and thousands of visitors from across the U.S.A. and around the world on our customized tours throughout the state. We strive to provide a unique and truly Kentucky experience – as evident in our motto – “Bourbon country done right!”

Can you tell us a little about Kentucky Bourbon Boys and what they offer?

The Kentucky Bourbon Boys focus on private, custom bourbon tours. Each tour is unique to the group, with three distilleries chosen by the guests (sometimes with advice from us) for tours and tastings, and lunch at a local restaurant. At times, a horse farm tour can be substituted in place of a distillery. Tours are organized by region to minimize drive times and maximize time at the distilleries. As a family business, we treat guests like family.

Groups can choose to visit the Bardstown area, in our SOUTH region, which is the “Bourbon Capital of the World!” The town also has been named the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America.” Distilleries in the area include Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Barton’s, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Willett, Lux Row, Limestone Branch, and Preservation.

Another option is to head to our EAST region, home of horse farms and the following distilleries – Buffalo Trace, Woodford, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Castle & Key, Wilderness Trail, James Pepper, Bulleit Distilling Company, Jeptha Creed, Barrel House, Bluegrass Distilling, Hartfield & Company, Alltech, and Three Boys Farm.

In the Louisville area region, guests can choose between Bulleit Stitzel-Weller, Kentucky Artisan, Rabbit Hole, Evan Williams, Peerless, Michter’s, Old Forester, and Angel’s Envy.

Lunch is included in the cost of the tour day, along with all admissions, transportation, snacks and waters. We pre-order lunches, sending guests a menu and order form to complete and return prior to the trip. The restaurants are ready for us when we arrive, making the day flow smoothly and maximizing our time.

Guests that want something unique can choose one of our premium tour experiences, from shooting clays, enjoying pit barbecue, and a bourbon tour (Bullets, BBQ, and Bourbon) to tours at E.H. Taylor distilleries (Historic Bourbon Tour) or the Bourbon Behind the Scenes tour (specialty tours at Maker’s Mark and more). There are several new offerings coming soon!

[Note from Just Get in the Car: due to age restrictions that must be met, we were unable to link to any of the above distilleries! Good thing we know you know how to use google!]

What is it that makes Kentucky Bourbon the best whiskey in the country (maybe the world)?

There are more bourbon barrels aging in Kentucky than there are people (actually the ratio is 2:1 now). There are multiple factors that led to Kentucky becoming the epicenter of bourbon production.

First of all, it is a common misunderstanding that bourbon has to come from Kentucky. Although 95% or more is produced here, bourbon is the only American spirit. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States, and there are new bourbon distilleries opening across the country.

A good rule of thumb is to remember that “All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.” Rye whiskey and scotch are good examples.

So what makes the difference? A few basic rules to know include:

* The mash must be 51% corn or more (and most are much more)

* The spirit cannot come off the still at higher than 160 proof

* The white dog (spirit) cannot enter the barrel higher than 125 proof

* Bourbon cannot enter the bottle lower than 80 proof

* The spirit must age in a new, charred, white oak barrel

* Nothing can be added to the liquid other than water

Kentucky had all the factors needed for bourbon to come into being. Settlers brought distilling skills with them from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Although other grains were used in those areas, corn was abundant here. Farms and small towns had little in the way of industry or jobs, and whiskey was cash. Just imagine the difference a barrel of whiskey could bring versus a wagon load of corn?

Water is a key to the quality of bourbon. Kentucky sits on a limestone shelf (hello, Mammoth Cave!) which filters water, removing iron and adding calcium and magnesium. This makes water clear, clean, and tasty – perfect for making good bourbon.

The last feature is the weather. Kentucky has a wide range of temperatures, with lows around zero and highs near 100 degrees. The temperature fluctuation cause expansion and contraction of the barrels, pulling the liquid into the wood and drawing flavor into the bourbon. Rickhouses (the barns that hold the barrels) are low tech, typically without electricity. The barrels age for at least four years with nature working its magic.

Once the barrel is emptied, it cannot be reused for bourbon. When you travel to Ireland and Scotland (and many other parts of the world) you will see bourbon barrels from various distilleries. Breweries, furniture makers, and food producers utilize used barrels as well.

For someone getting started with bourbon, what advice would you give them? And are there particular brands that would provide them with a good introduction?

Without getting into naming specific brands, the best way for someone to learn more about bourbon is to read blog posts, listen to podcasts, read online materials, and visit local bourbon events.

Prices are becoming exorbitant for some well known, high profile bourbons. A newcomer doesn’t have to be misled by this, and can find plenty of good options at very reasonable costs.

It doesn’t matter what other people like – everyone has a different palate and some bourbons will appeal to one person, while another might not like them at all.

The best way to get started is to try a bourbon cocktail, such as an old-fashioned. Be sure though to ask what bourbon is being used, because every old-fashioned will taste different depending on the bourbon used. A bottom shelf $10 bourbon will be very different from a medium priced bourbon.

Once you’ve tried some bourbon cocktails, try a mid-priced bourbon with an ice cube or two. The ice slowly melts and opens up the drink, taking a little edge off the bite of the alcohol and making more flavors noticeable. You can skip the ice and add a small amount of water to do the same thing. A pour should only be about an ounce or two at most, and should be SIPPED. There’s just no such thing as shooting a bourbon (only in cowboy movies).

Finally, take a tour. Each distillery provides anywhere from two to five glasses on a tasting, and the guide will teach guests how to drink bourbon.

Do you have a favorite distiller or bourbon brand?

They’re all good! Depending on the day and mood, a different bourbon fits the bill. Some are higher in proof than others, and some are sweeter or spicier. It all depends on what you like.

When is the best time to come to Kentucky and Louisville for some Bourbon tasting?

Distilleries are open year round, but are closed on most major holidays. During the summer, usually July or August, production may be on hold while deep cleaning is completed.

April – May and September – October are the prime times to visit, but one should expect big crowds. Many offer special tours on weekdays, and those with a bottling line only run on weekdays.

When you are not on the Bourbon Trail, what do you like to do in the Louisville area? Are there any sights, landmarks or restaurants you would recommend to out of towners?

Louisville has become a food destination, with multiple recognitions for the variety of great restaurants. On top of that, they all have a bourbon selection that can be overwhelming! There are too many to list here, but we can offer some ideas specific to the interests of a group.

Whiskey Row, or Main Street, is the gateway to bourbon country. There are five distilleries on this historic street (Angel’s Envy, Old Forester, Michter’s, Evan Williams, and Peerless) with Rabbit Hole just two blocks south. Nearby one can visit Bulleit Stitzel-Weller and Kentucky Artisan Distillery.

Churchill Downs is the historic home of the Kentucky Derby. Racing runs from late April through June, and again in October through Thanksgiving weekend.

The Louisville Slugger Bat Factory and Museum is a must-see – on weekdays you’ll see your favorite player bats being made! Nearby, the Muhammad Ali Center is a gem.

Louisville’s Waterfront Park is an award-winning site, with several miles of walking paths, sculptures, swings, food, splash parks, and more. A walking bridge crossed the Ohio River, with outstanding views of the city. On the Indiana side guests can visit multiple restaurants and a bourbon and cigar bar.

What are some of the hidden gems in the Louisville or along the Bourbon Trail that most tourists don’t know about?

The Parklands are a string of new beautiful parks connecting around the outer edge of Louisville. Eventually, the plan is for the parks to link up over 100 miles around the perimeter of the city.

Historic home tours in the center of the city offer a look into America’s past – the duPont’s had a home in the district, and the St. James Art Fair every October brings thousands of visitors to the city.

Amish farms and stores, bicycle routes that pass through horse country, Mammoth Cave (two hours south), and water sports are all worthwhile options.

NCAA Basketball – Kentucky Wildcats or Louisville Cardinals?

These are fighting words! Actually, when people move into the area, one of the first questions they get is “Are you red or blue?” Blue is for Kentucky Wildcats, red is for Louisville Cardinals. Some of the Kentucky Bourbon Boys are staunch fans of one team or the other, but support the other team until they play one another. Then, LOOK OUT! If we lose in chess to the other team, it makes for a long year!

-Shawn

Getting to know Donna Wethey of Spotted Hill Farm

Just Get in the Car — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 16:12:46 +0000

Last spring we had a lovely visit with Donna and Guy of Spotted Hill Farm. We learned all about kidding season, and got to feed the baby goats! We thought it would be fun to catch up with Donna and ask her a few questions. Here’s what she has to share.

Tell us about you, Guy, and the farm. What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day here:

We get up early, 6:30 most days, when we have kids [baby goats], earlier! There are animals to be fed and cared for, and babies to be bottle fed. The does [mama goats] are milked and then we pasteurize the milk and set up bottles for the next feed. When the babies are weaned, we will either freeze the milk for later use in soap or make cheese for family and friends.

In between feeds, there is hay to gather, grain to buy and pick up and numerous other things to do. Our garden is just getting started in Spring, so there is planting and weeding to be done. We never lack something to do around the farm and we are never bored!! Later on in the season we will be canning fruits and vegetables for use in the winter.

2. What do you want our readers to know about Spotted Hill Farm? Can people visit you?

We LOVE sharing our farm with others, especially young people! Guy and I believe every child should know where eggs and milk are made! Springtime is the best time to visit, as our goats give birth in the Spring! This year, we have 7 does due to kid in April!

We will be hosting our Open Farm Weekends every weekend in May from 10-5. We are open by appointment the rest of the week! Set up a time to come see our friendly farm pets or shop in our Barn Store for wonderful goods handcrafted by local artisans and farmers.

We host Yoga With Our Baby Goats in May and June! Our babies are bottle fed and obnoxiously friendly and love interacting with people! Check out SpottedHillFarm.com/yoga for schedule and tickets.

3. We know you love your town – tell us the best thing about Boyertown! Is there a hidden gem that we should know about?

Our little Boyertown has tons of gems!! Some of my favorites are Dancing Tree Creations, Colebrookdale Railroad and Taylor Backes.

4. If you had a day to explore around your town, where would you go, what would you eat, what would you do?

We would start out having breakfast at Brakeman’s Cafe, right across the parking lot from the Colebrookdale Railroad. Set in an old brick garage, it is a friendly and charming place with excellent coffee and food! Then, we would go take a glass blowing class at Taylor Backes, a wonderful gallery of handcrafted blown glass.

We would then stop by Grind [website appears to be coming soon] for a delicious lunch! We would visit with Keith, the owner and Tom, our favorite waiter. The food is wonderful and the people are even nicer!

After lunch, we would definitely take a ride on the Colebrookdale Railroad! The last time we went, we took our grandkids and it was the biggest kid, Guy, who had the most fun!

Then, we would go home as it would be time to feed all the animals.

5. It’s almost kidding season – right? Are there opportunities for the public to come and see the baby goats?

We will be open weekends in May from 10-5. Other times by appointment only. We are not set up to receive visitors on a drop by basis.

6. When we visited, our daughter named one of the babies! How is Gabbie doing?

Gabbie is doing well! She is living with a lovely young couple out in the western part of Berks County. We delivered Gabbie and Harvey and they have a wonderful life, going for walks every evening.

Thank you so much to Donna for sharing more about her farm, Boyertown, and the opportunity to visit the baby goats! Our family had such a lovely day with Donna and Guy and we can’t wait to head back this spring. It’s an experience you and your [human] kids will not soon forget!

-Kristin

Getting to know Bri Brant, Chadds Ford Aficionado

Just Get in the Car — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 17:47:32 +0000

We are trying something new here at Just Get in the Car. It’s been so great checking out new places and meeting new people, we thought we’d give our readers the chance to learn more about them! First up is Bri Brant – a dynamic business owner and community member from Chaddsford, PA.

Tell our readers a little bit about yourself and what you do.

My name is Bri Brant – I’m a handbag designer / maker [Check out Bri’s craftsmanship at Arden + James]. Just by coincidence, our family loves to create meaningful community spaces so we are the owners of the Chadds Ford Barn Shops and Chadds Cafe. All separate businesses that happen to work very well together.

What is your favorite thing about Chaddsford, PA?

Chaddsford is a magical place that has always been true to itself – it’s people, history, landscape, it’s artists, it’s quirkiness…we are never trying to be something else.

How would you spend the perfect day in Chaddsford? Is there a hidden gem you want our readers to know about?

The Brandywine River Museum and Brandywine Conservancy surround the Barn Shops area. If you haven’t been- it’s what Chadds Ford is all about!

What is your favorite thing to grab at the Chadds Café + Store?

[A] Blueberry lemon scone and a vanilla latte.

From Kristin: The Blueberry lemon scone is to die for! You must try it, and all the yummy offerings at Chadds Café + Store as soon as you can! Afterward, head over to Longwood Gardens for a beautiful afternoon in nature.

Thank you to Bri Brant for humoring us with our questions. Don’t hesitate to plan your afternoon at the Chadds Ford Barn Shops, where you can check out all of the unique shops, particularly Arden + James.