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Project:
Kentucky Rain |
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I have always been one to push the limits of life, and this
trip really wasn't an exception to that. It's not every day
that I decide to travel ten hours one way just to see some
friends and take some pictures.
It all started out a couple years ago when I met someone on a
chat room that would turn out to be one of the best friends I
have ever had. Yes, I know...I met someone on a chat
room which isn't really the smartest thing to do, but I
figured I would take a chance and trust my instincts. Turns
out, my instincts were right. I went to meet my "chatroom
friend" about two years ago and instantly knew that this
wasn't an ordinary trip
Well, I decided to take this trip again and it would be just
as good as the last one and hopefully I can explain how it
went in this little corner of my life I like to call my
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I started on my trek, which would take me
through northeast Oklahoma, Missouri, and western Kentucky,
about 7:30 in the morning. It was a beautiful day and the sun
was up just enough to be out of my eyes. I made it through
Oklahoma and into Missouri after about 2 and a half hours of
uneventful driving and this is where all the fun would begin.
On the other side of Springfield Mo. there is an Amish
community, which is something us Okies don't see very much,
and as I traveled eastward on highway 60 I passed three or
four horse and buggies because the Amish share the highway
with regular traffic, and this amazes me every time I pass by
there because it is just like going back in time. After
passing through that area, the Ozark Mountains start to show
their glory.
I can
honestly say that I have never seen trees as beautiful as the
ones that I saw in the Ozarks. It was almost like seeing
Jigsaw puzzles all around me. This is truly a beautiful
nation! |
As I drove through the mountains I
realized that I had already made it halfway there and
hadn't even kept track of how far I had gone. I always
get into what I call my "driving zone". It's
like I just forget everything around me and relax on my
driving. This is always fun because it makes the trip
seem like it didn't take as long as it did.
Anyways...I made it through Missouri without any
problems, and I only had to stop once for fuel. Now the
fun really begins!
Highway 60 goes all the way from Springfield to Paducah,
Kentucky on this trip, at the Missouri-Kentucky border
you have to cross the Mississippi river, drive a quarter
mile through the very southern tip or Illinois, then
cross the Ohio river into Kentucky and the scenery in
this area is just amazing. Much thanks to the captain of
the Connell Smith who was docking his barges as I was
taking pictures. |
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Kentucky people, or
"Kentuckians" as I have come to know
them, are a different type of people. Even
if I don't know them very well, they always seem
to greet me with a big smile and open arms and I
am very thankful that I have made such good
friends over there. I was given free room and
board with my friends and just had a great time.
It always feels so warm and loving everytime im
over there.
The trip ended at Greenville, Kentucky which is a
nice little community in west central Kentucky
that reminds me of a Norman Rockwell painting with
a great southern warmth to it. I got the chance to
visit Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green
and that is also a very nice place to visit. After
the weekend flew by, I had to go back to Oklahoma
with some great memories
I want to thank everyone that helped make this
trip as special as it was. I will hopefully be making this trip again
sometime in the future and I want to encourage
anyone that is wanting a getaway to take this
route through the Ozarks and into Kentucky and
take your time doing it, that makes it twice as
fun!
-Patrick
| Miles
Traveled: |
1334 |
Cost: |
$160
(approx.) |
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