Ron and I started the first few days post-Columbus in Cave City, KY. He got to do some work and we managed to not only catch the Onyx Cave Lantern Tour but also do a 5 mile hike the next day. Our Ranger for the cave tour was a riot and he made it very fun. The cave we had chosen was a a mix of both dry and wet so we got to see many stalagtites and stalagmites in addition to one I have not heard before – a helotite. They baffle scientists and they have not idea how they grow sideways against gravity but they do! It was 95+ degrees and the 55 degree cave was the perfect activity. The dry part of the cave spawns gypsum flower since it is so dry and they are exquisite!

The most interesting thing our guide told us was about “the cave wars” of Kentucky. After many years of families trying to make money off their land some got together and decided to sell. The government enacted eminent domain on the others who did not want to sell. They would grant them a sum of money and come while the family was at church and bulldoze their house to renaturalize the land for the newly named National Park! He simply warned us that not all folks in Kentucky have a positive view since many are families of the eniment domain victims. I had no idea!

Our next stop was going to be Nashville but we decided ahead of time that since it was their pride celebration weekend, and their have been threats from white supremists groups to all the pride celebrations, it wasn’t a place we wanted to be. We have planned to bike over, have lunch and walk around a bit, then keep going outside the city. In addition, all the hotels were $300+.

120 miles later we arrived in Nashville and boy, was I unprepared. The crowds were insane. Not only that, but it was a cross between Bourbon Street and Las Vegas. There were lines for most bars and mind you it was 10:30 on a Friday morning! We knew we didn’t belong here since it appeared to be halloween and all the girls chose the costume – slutty cowgirl. So to get my money’s worth, I dragged Ron off the main drag over to a few capital buildings which were lovely.

We grabbed a quick lunch at the Food Hall the headed out. Another 100 miles later we stopped in Paducah. Our fun sights today included the Fruit of the Loom World HQ, the Nashville in all it’s “glory”, Corvette Museum, and we were even on the trail of tears for a while. We wrapped up with a beer at the Thirsty Turtle.