Remember…………………… last week I conducted a very unscientific poll of favorite places to visit in the Commonwealth? I have the results; but again remember these results are the opinion of the reader and NOT MINE, not that I might not agree with some of them you understand, but I have to be fair to everyone in the industry. This weeks post is devoted to revealing the results and some “housekeeping” you know, cleaning up and getting organized? Okay, here are the results, without the numbers, I am posting the 1st and 2nd place finishers, not the tally’s!
Favorite Ky. State Park: NATURAL BRIDGE, CARTER CAVES
Favorite Golf Course: DALE HOLLOW STATE PARK, GIBSON BAY
Favorite HotBrown/BBQ/Ice Cream: BOONE TAVERN, HOLLY HILL/ MOONLITE, DOTTIE STIPES’ (I CHEATED WITH THAT ONE)/ CHRIST THE KING ‘OCTOBERFEST”, CHANEY’S.
Favorite Ky Festival: GREAT AMERCIAN BRASS BAND, MNT. LAUREL FESTIVAL
Family Reunion Site: NATURAL BRIDGE, KEENELAND
Favorite Lake: CUMBERLAND, CAVE RUN
Favorite Factory Tour: BUFFALO TRACE, TOYOTA
Favorite Bourbon/Wine Tour: BUFFALO TRACE, WOODFORD RESERVE/ EQUUS RUN, CHRISMAN MILL(tie)
Favorite Bourbon Candy: Rebecca Ruth, Ruth Hunt
Favorite Old General Store: RAYBURN’S, RABBIT HASH, PENN’S.

I also had lots of submissions for other venues……
KEENELAND was mentioned many times as an overall favorite place!
The Newport Aquarium was mentioned several times and so was Red, White and Boom in downtown Lexington!

I want to throw out a “thank you’ to Keeneland……………. Judy, Julie and Krista hosted the First Lady, her staff, me and many important Horse Women last week for a meeting (details upcoming). Everybody at Keeneland is always so professional and so nice ! Speaking of professional and nice– Kenny Perry does it again, this time in sudden death at the John Deere event. He bogied 18, but that was probably just to give the other two a fighting chance. Seriously, this guy is making Kentucky look great! He’s always mentioned as a “class act” and a “down to earth, regular guy”. Hooray!

The State Fair is August 14-24.
The Ryder Cup is September 16-21.
don’t forget to send me some photos of your recent Kentucky travels………..I’ll post them here if they are clean! LOL pat.stipes@ky.gov
“buckle up, slow down and get there in one piece”