Today we return to Georgia. A part of me was ready to see our cats and those we love at home, but another part wished to stay in the cool, autumn air of Kentucky. Either way, Jason and I awoke early in order to make our way home. We showered, put on our Bourbon Trail T-shirts, and began packing the car for our return trip. First the luggage, then the apples and non-alcoholic gifts. We left the many bags from Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, and other distilleries in the room while we went to the lobby for breakfast.
The lobby was packed with guests this morning. Not only was it a Saturday morning, but it was also the weekend of the Bourbon Chase. We learned of the Bourbon Chase yesterday as we walked through bardstown's square. We saw numerous people applauding for a group of runners in downtown yesterday morning. The bookstore owner explain the Bourbon Chase was in town, which is why so many people were applauding and yelling all morning. Glad we are leaving right before Bardstown becomes too busy.
Once Jason and I made our way through the breakfast line, we found a small table to eat at... one of the last ones available. Jason ate eggs, yogurt, and orange juice; I some fried potatoes and orange juice. While waiting in line for our food, a woman came up to me and asked where I got my shirt. I explained that Jason and I had completed the bourbon trail and picked up our shirts at the Welcome Center in Bardstown. She thanked me and then left. Then the woman in front of me turned around and explained that she, too, had just finished the bourbon trail. Apparently Jason and I were the only ones who knew the Welcome Center had the shirts. Most people think you just mail in your passports (the booklet that proves you completed the trail) to get the shirt. The only reason I knew the Welcome Center had it was because it said so on their website. Never hurts to read!
After eating, Jason and I went back upstairs, grabbed all the distillery gifts and purchases, and made our way to my car. We loaded it and then made our way to the lobby for checkout. Then, we set out to get gas at Kroger for our trip.
I decided to drive since we weren't going directly to Georgia on the way home. We made plans to stop by Nashville, TN to visit my dear friend Nikki. Super excited! We wanted to give her her birthday gift on the way home and say hi. She met us at a Mexican restaurant right off the interstate. It was so good to see her! In just 2.5 hours we were there. We gave her a hand-dipped bottle of Maker's Mark (which I was lucky enough to dip myself). We also gave her some of our fresh apples and a label from Maker's Mark. We ate and caught up on life for the next hour or so. She then invited us to come see her home. We drove, literally just a second away. She has an adorable house filled with cute thinks that always look so very Nikki-like. It was lovely! She then gave Jason some homemade pickles and then said good-bye to us. Always so good to see her!
We then returned to the road and, this time, headed for Georgia. It was a 4 hour drive. Unfortunately for me, it was not a pleasant ride. While driving I had gotten very ill, quite unexpectedly. This is the first time Jason has ever witnessed me vomiting. I was mortified. Worst place to be ill is while on the interstate. Luckily, however, there was a container nearby and I was able to keep my car from being ruined. Jason was wonderful. He said he wasn't bothered at all and told me that the last thing I should do is worry about him. Apparently I can be sick in front of Jason and he still love me and not think me gross. Although I always longed to be that wife that never got sick in front of her husband, looks like we're just as great as ever. We laughed quite a bit later about what a story I may have given someone else. "Man! I was on the interstate when I looked over and saw this girl...." Oh boy!
After pulling off the interstate and grabbing two large sprites from a nearby Burger King, we returned to the road. After a little while I felt a little better so we began to pick up our unfinished novel, Jane Eyre. We read for hours until finally arriving in Georgia. We made our way through Atlanta Traffic, finally at home. Our two cats greeted us with much love and affection. They are so sweet!
After unpacking, we made our way to my parent's home to give them their gifts. My mom was out of town, however, so Dad will have to give her gifts to her when she returns. Here is a picture of me and Dad:
We gave Dad his Cask-Strength Maker's Mark bottle (hand-dipped by me and only sold in their gift shop). We also gave him Mom's box of bourbon balls. Additionally, we gave them fresh apples, a Maker's Mark label, and peach preserves from Hinton's Farm. He loved it! We hoped to give Jason's side of the family their gifts today, but they were headed out on vacation as well. Looks like we'll have to give them their gifts later.
Below are pictures of Jason and I at my parent's home in our Bourbon Trail shirts. We also are holding up our bourbon passports... completed passports!
After seeing Dad, we planned to go to dinner at Panera Bread. I, however, wasn't really hungry due to still being queasy. Jason said he was still full from lunch, too, so we decided to go home. Just ate crackers and finished our sprites at home. We then relaxed with our cats for the rest of the night. Here are pictures that show just how much they missed us:
Also, here is a picture of our bourbon trail t-shirts!
Next anniversary trip: Salem, Massachusetts. Five years since our Honeymoon in Salem!
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