The Governor's Town

Today I took a Day Trip to Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA.  Shelbyville is named after the first governor of Kentucky, Isaac Shelby.  I'd been there before but it's been years.  From Lexington, I hopped on I-64 West.  I've started out on this same road countless times.  I really like the scenery, the country, the woods.  There are so many, many miles of woods along the way.  It reminds me of the hikes I've taken through dark, cool, green woods in the summer.  You see beautiful wildflowers here and there.  The fallen logs may have moss growing all over.  My favorite part of the trip is the long cut through the rocks around Frankfort.  First, there's a long descent which passes over the high bridge over the Kentucky River.  The river's always the same.  Then there's a long ascent through more rocks.  It's like gliding through a canyon.

I turned off on Kentucky-53.  I was hoping the road went through Main Street in Shelbyville.  There were several miles of four-lane roads with modern shopping centers on both sides of the road - blah, generic!  The the road split into one-way roads through the old city.  On the left is an old Coca-Cola plant building.  I'd like to find out how old it is.  On the website, www.oldcoke.com, I found its photo but no mention of when it was built.  There are many similarities about Kentucky towns.  Every town has its old section with the tall, huge, Victorian houses.

The road passes by the "Shuck Fence Company."  It shows a large section of metal cattle gates.  They are very distinctive and probably come from another small town to the south, Liberty, Kentucky.  Liberty is the 'Gate Capital' of America.  It's nice to recognize Kentucky products.

In a small town, it is true that everyone knows what everyone else is doing.  This is good.  After I lived in small towns for a couple of years, I realized something was different.  It's good that we know everyone's business.  It leads to a lot of accountability and stability. They care about you.

You think there's nothing to do in a small town?  You're wrong!  There was more to do in the small towns than I had time for!  Everything centers around the schools and churches.  There's a bit of entertainment, a theater group, movie theater, lots of sports teams, 4-H activities and there is artsy stuff - talented painters, basket makers, crafters.  There are small parades and lots of celebrations.  I think there's lots more involvement in small towns.

Ah - Main Street - I knew I'd find it!  "Stacey's Simple Stuff" - in a log cabin, "Polka-Dotted Pineapple, a dress shop.  This town seems quite busy!

Some of the stores on Main Street, Shelbyville, Kentucky, typical of Kentucky small towns.

As I look around, I realize that I've been here before, several times, actually.  There's the "Bell House," a restaurant in an old, old building - great food, as I recall - I've been here with 'the girls.' There are big Churches on every other corner, it seems.  I always look for the Catholic Church.  There it is - Church of the Annunciation. When I pass a Catholic Church, I always make the sign of the cross as a sign of respect for Jesus.

Today I'm headed for another restaurant, Wakefield-Scearce Galleries, part of an old converted schoolhouse that houses very fine antiques.  The 'girls' and I are meeting today.  We've been friends for - well, we figured it out exactly how many years before, but we forgot - somewhere between 25 and 30, I think.  Our children grew up together in another small town, Danville, Kentucky.  Now 3 of us still live in Danville, one moved to Louisville and I live in Lexington.  We always have a jolly time together.

Part of Wakefield-Scearce Galleries, Shelbyville, KY

Lobby of the Galleries with skylight overhead.

The building is quite interesting, full of the best quality antiques with a very large collection of fine silver pieces.

We felt we were stepping back into Colonial times in many of the rooms.

This small room could've been a tavern.

The walls to this old building were characteristically very thick, around 4 feet thick.  There were several rooms selling clothing and one with baby items.  The rest were furnishings and dishes.  It's worth a trip to these Galleries for the architecture alone.

We had a fine meal, full of laughter.  We always have a lot of 'catching up' to do about our children, grandchildren, recent travel and travel plans.  Harriet returned from a long trip south to New Zealand.  Rosemary went to Williamsburg, Virginia.  I told about Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Jacksonville and Port St. Lucie, Florida.  Then we sat in the lobby for further chatting.  A kind gentleman offered to take our picture.  He said, "I've never seen so much beauty!"  (Like I said, he was a very kind gentleman!)  Then we took out our calendars and planned our next destination lunch.

From left, Harriet, Jan, Linda, Leone, and Rosemary: fine friends, indeed!