January 20 to February 14, 2014 NOMADS Project, Mercedes, MS

February 15 (Approximately) to June - Gate Guarding, TX or LA.

June, 2014 - Up to Alaska!

September - NOMADS Annual Meeting, Branson, MO



Friday, November 8, 2013

Visit with a cousin in Kentucky

Upper Deerfield Twp,  NJ

We arrived back in NJ two days ago.    But on the way from Gore, OK to NJ we made time to visit with my cousin Bill in Berea, KY.  I have not seen Bill in many years and the visit was pure joy.

Bill and his wife Jenny:


I called Bill once we got to Berea and he and Jenny came right over to our site.   After getting caught up with each others lives over the years, we all went to the local Cracker Barrel for dinner where Bill treated.

The next morning Leonard and I drove to Bill's house that is about 6 miles outside town to continue our visit.  Bill then took us on a tour of Berea.  What a neat little town.   There are several little boutique-type shops in the old part of town.  In the midst sits this cabin that was built in 1820 and moved to this site.


Throughout town are many hand statues.   No idea why:




Berea, KY is the home of Berea College founded in 1855.   This college, with an enrollment of approximately 1,500, is free to all students and based on financial need.  All students must work 10 hours a week on campus.  They are issued a laptop which they keep upon graduation.

On the campus is historic Boone Tavern built in 1909 and named for Daniel Boone.




 No alcohol is served at the tavern nor can anyone bring alcohol into the tavern.    About 50% of the employees are Berea College students.  Most of the furniture in the inn was made by Berea students.

Students at the college learn, among the usual studies, various crafts such as building fine furniture and even brooms.   These items are sold throughout town at shops run by the students.



Bill in a wooden hat made by a student.



Following our tour of the area Bill took us to the nearby town of Richmond.  Richmond Ky is the site of a large military weapons storage facility where one of Bill's daughter works in security.  Bill settled in this part of the country as this is where he graduated High School.  At the time his father was an ammunition's inspector for the military and was assigned to the Richmond facility.    We all agreed it was time for dinner.Bob Evans this time.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Bill and Jenny as we have in the past with his sisters Muriel in Hereford, AZ and Bonnie in Oklahoma City.  Nice to keep up with the family.


8 comments:

Nan said...

Each time we visit Berea, we see new to us sites. Loved the weaving studios.

Unknown said...

Sounds like you all had a nice time together! I love the pictures! Great Blog! If you are in Texas again don't forget to let me know!

Chuck and Anneke's RV travels said...

Always great to connect with long time friends:)

MargieAnne said...

Another place to add to our bucket list. Thanks for photos and info on Berea. Sounds like a place we would love to visit.....

Although our chances of coming to America are growing slimmer with every month that passes without selling Mum's house. This will provide us with travel cash once the dust has settled and we have sorted ourselves out. The house has been on the market for nearly 12 months without a nibble. I never expected it to take this long and now we are preparing for it to take maybe 3 years to find the right buyer. Sigh!

Patience is a virtue I don't have too much of some days :)

where's weaver said...

Boone Tavern is so awesome. I love the architecture. Good thing I am not there. I see several items that I would purchase for gifts. The bowls look beautiful.

owensontheroad said...

Heard all kinds of things about Berea. Thanks for the tour!

Jerry / Carol said...

Berea sounds like a cool place to visit. We will put that on our list for when we get back to KY.

Donna W. said...

back in nj for holidays? I know its not for the weather. Berea sounds nice