18-19 May Patton Museum, Ft Knox, Churchill Downs

18 May

Internet Challenges

I am trying to be diligent about posting our pictures and experiences on the blog while it is fresh in memory, but that has presented a real challenge while here at Camp Carlson. The campgrounds is located down in a “bowl”.  We cannot receive any network television broadcasts.  Our cellular carrier is Verizon and they usually have fairly good coverage compared to some of the other cellular providers, but cellular coverage here is next to nothing, in fact we are lucky if we can finish a telephone call without being disconnected several times, let alone trying to get Internet access.  The campgrounds does have Wi-Fi, but it is very limited, very erratic and VERY slow.  It is “metered” and you are only allotted so much bandwidth per day and then you are cut off.  So, today we decided to venture into town and have breakfast at a Bob Evans restaurant where they have Wi-Fi.  The good news is we did get some pending software updates downloaded and installed, and we did get yesterday’s (17 May) blog published.   The bad news is we ate too much and felt lousy the rest of the morning!  Not used to eating a big breakfast!

Fort Knox

After our extended breakfast, we visited Fort Knox Army Base and restocked groceries at the Commissary.  We also visited the Post Exchange (PX), which looked like most of the other PX’s or BX’s we have recently visited. 

Campgrounds Area

Later, we returning to the campgrounds and took care of some tasks around the RV and then took the dog on a nice walk around the campgrounds.   In addition to the campgrounds, Camp Carlson has a 25-acre fishing lake, so we strolled around there and Liberty watched the water fowl and their young.  The fisherman were catching a few catfish but I did not buy a license here so we just watched.

Liberty found a new friend!

25 acre fishing lake

Family out for an evening "stroll"

Beautiful lodge at the campgrounds used for weddings, etc, overlooks lake

19 May

Patton Museum

We visited the Gen George S. Patton Museum on Ft Knox.  This is a wonderful facility, full of Patton’s artifacts from his youth, his days at Virginia Military Institute all the way through his military years until his tragic death due to an automobile accident in Heidelberg Germany in December 1945.  The museum displays were interwoven with Patton’s leadership quotes.  You can learn a great deal about Patton here, but you can learn equally as much if not more about leadership.  Well worth the time to visit this museum.

Statue carved from basswood

One of his sedans

One of many leadership quotes

A picture of Saddam Hussein autographed by the Soldiers who recovered it 

A future 9-1-1 display in the works.  One of the fire trucks from ground zero

Churchill Downs

After returning to the RV to grab some lunch and let the dog out, we visited Churchill Downs, the race track where the Kentucky Derby is run each year the first Saturday in May.

We visited the Kentucky Derby museum and watched an incredible 17 minute, 360 degree movie about the Kentucky Derby called “The Greatest Race”.  They use 14 computer-controlled projectors and the latest 4K ultra high definition technology to project a seamless 360 degree movie.  This was just installed in November 2015.  Amazing!  

The museum contained various displays documenting the history of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.  We learned a lot about the jockeys, what it takes to breed and train race horses and the various Triple Crown winners.

Entrance to the museum

Lady's hats

Doreen picking out a new hat

A quilted dress with built-in purse pockets

Jockey "Silks"

The result board

Then we took a walking tour to the paddock area and down to the track

Horses are paraded around here before the race so prospective betters can see them

At the fence

The finish line (pole)

Later, great friend, mentor and retired Kentucky State Command Chief, CMSgt Jim Smith and his wife Denise joined us there.  As the State CCM, Jim orchestrated Kentucky’s Airmen of the Year banquet and it was held in “Millionaire’s Row” on the fourth floor of Churchill Downs.  The best way I can describe this is like a baseball stadium skybox on steroids.  Since there is a race being held later today, the area is used to feed and entertain a special crowd, to say the least.  Jim facilitated our entrance into the area and then we proceeded outside for some pictures before the race.  Our view was nearly right above the photo-finish line.

4000 hand made glass figurines

Jim and I in "Millionaire's Row".  Some of the best seats in the house.

The finish line view from above

The camera crew captures the race

To get the best feel for the race we then moved to a “box” at racetrack level where we visited with Jim and Denise, and enjoyed some refreshments.  Doreen even had a “mint julep” drink, made famous at the Kentucky Derby.  The only thing she was missing was the big floppy hat!

Once the race started you could literally feel the pounding of the hoofs on the track as they approached the finish line. 

And they're off!!

Tomorrow we will visit the nearest McDonalds, borrow some of their Wi-Fi so we can get this transmitted, and then head downtown to visit the Frasier Museum and the Thomas Edison Museum.