Louisville 5

At the Kentucky Derby Museum, there's usually a Thoroughbred or two hanging around. This one was camera shy and refused to pose for the papparazzi. I caught a glimpse of her companion, an adorable miniature horse who was equally determined to avoid any photo op.

Back inside the Kentucky Derby Museum, there are many exhibits to see. The interactive ones are particularly interesting. There are even hands-on activities for kids.

Love those Derby Day hats? There are two display cases full of hats worn at previous Derbies. Here's a sampling of lovely chapeaus:

I got to meet last year's Derby winner, Animal Kingdom. Okay, so maybe we only met in a strange, wax museum sort of way.

There's an area that features vintage Derby duds and tack.

I loved this special exhibit honoring one of the most famous jockeys ever...Willie Shoemaker. The materials were recently donated to the museum by his daughter. Sadly, Willie lived his last few years in a wheelchair, paralyzed after a terrible car accident.

It's hard to believe how anyone could fit into that little white suit. Hubby stands next to the exhibit for purposes of perspective.

Several horses that ran in the Derby are buried at Churchill Downs. Particularly poignant is this monument that stands above the remains of a little filly called Eight Bells. She shattered two legs so badly during the race that she had to be humanely euthanized right on the track.

All in all, the Kentucky Derby Museum was well worth the price of admission. If you ever travel to Louisville, and you love beautiful horses...be sure to check it out.

We'll be back to our regular programming next blog!

Louisville-4

Continuing with our tour of the Kentucky Derby Museum...

We are now on the pathway to the track. Guess owners and trainers need a gentle reminder (see sign).

The light at the end of this tunnel is bright sunshine on the Churchill Downs track. It must be a moment that truly prompts the heart to pound harder, whether human or horse. Note the ground surface. It looks like pavers, but is made of recycled tires that cushion a Thoroughbreds' prancing walk.

Across the track is the famous winner's circle. This area is used only on Derby Day. It looks pretty tame now, but if you've ever watched the race, you know how many people are crammed into the space.

The fancy boxes on top are known as "Millionaire's Row", where all the celebrities hang out. Even for them, Derby Day is a no credit or debit card event. Can you imagine how many stacks of cash must be piled on the table up there?

How about these lovely front row sections of green folding chairs? On Derby Day, once you tally up all the associated costs, anyone can buy a section for a mere guaranted $6,000. Bleachers are slightly cheaper. Or take your life and liberty in your own hands and opt for standing room only in outer fields of the track. According to our guide, it's a wild place to party...and the perfect opportunity to use that "get out of jail free" card.



The Derby is known for it's towers (the twin to this one is on the right) and...

arguably the most famous finish line in horse racing.

We'll wrap up our tour next time, back inside the museum.

Louisville-Part 2

Here we are back at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville. Please proceed to your left where you will find the museum entrance.

Once inside the lobby area, it's time to choose your tour. We did the general admission which is $10 per person. If you have more time, for an additional charge you can add the Barn and Backside Tour, the Behind the Scenes Tour, or the Horses and Haunts Tour.

First we took our seats for "The Greatest Race" movie. The screen is wrapped around a large oval room. We sat on small plastic stool-type seats that allowed us to turn when a scene appeared to the right, to the left, or even behind us. The 17 minute film started with a Thoroughbred foal being nudged to its feet by his mother that definitely put a lump in my throat. But to me the most thrilling part of all was the Derby Day scene. It's a 360 degree shot of the crowd and the track, making us feel we were really present at the Derby, surrounded by thousands of cheering fans.

Next post, we'll do the walking tour!

More Tap, Tap, Tapping

Nothing feels better than having a successful writers retreat! 

Okay, so maybe I didn't produce quite as much as the above image indicates, but I did rough in a couple of stories, polish a few poems, and generate some fresh possibilities for my files.

But don't think my nose never left the computer.  The trip to Louisville wasn't all work.  I did get the chance to visit a rather cool place that I've always wanted to see.  More about that on another day.

Deadline for several of the pieces that kept me busy last week is looming.  I'm determined to finish edits ASAP and send my babies away to (hopefully) find happy new homes before the stroke of midnight on August 31.  So it's good-bye internet and hello Word Program for more tap, tap, tapping.  I'm on a roll and nothing, I repeat nothing, is going to stop me now!

"Er, Mom. I gotta go to the bathroom..."