Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Friday, September 20, 2013

Reconnected to the virtual world



 Once we arrived in Bardstown, KY , we unknowingly entered an internet free world for the rest of our three week trip. Normally, one of the advantages of coming home is the fast internet available, but  on our return Tuesday, the service was out and remained so until late yesterday evening.  Sometimes you cannot catch a break.

 Our stay at the Old  Kentucky  Home State Park was short lived.  We could not handle the crazy campground sites.  Besides the complete lack of level ground, the placement of the utilities was designed by a sadist.  The pictures do not do justice  to how bad it really was.




We did manage to revisit the Old Kentucky home grounds that was originally called Federal Hill. This plantation style farm was originally founded by Judge Rowan  in 1795.  Like our last visit in 1988, no pictures are allowed inside the home.  The property included over 1300 acres at its peak.  The Rowan family lived in the home until the great Granddaughter of Mr. Rowan left the property to the state in her will.  She lived in the home until 1924.









Why the home has become important was principally because a cousin of the Rowan family was Stephen Foster, who was prolific song writer, who penned the state song-My Old Kentucky home.  Mr. Foster only visited the home on one occasion.  Foster wrote many well known songs before his death at the age of 37.  Because the home was occupied by the same family for so long, there are many original pieces in the home.  The state has done an excellent job of maintaining the property over the years.  It is well worth a visit despite the photo restrictions.  Also on the property is Mr. Rowans original log cabin law office and a private family cemetery.







11 comments:

Gail Houle said...

Nice trip. Isn't it amazing how difficult it is to live without internet these days? Everything seems to revolve around it.

Travels with Emma said...

That looks like a paved site. Don't you think if they're going to pave the sites, they'd make them level?

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

That same thing happened at our favorite county campground near our old home. It was revamped by architects that had no idea about RV hook ups. They put water on one end of the site and the electric on the other. Some sites the sewer was so far away that you needed 30 feet of sewer hose to reach the connection.

Rick said...

What a beautiful property - thanks for the tour and wonderful photos.

I never knew Stephen Foster died at such a young age. He sure wrote a lot of memorable songs in his time.

Mike and Terri said...

Oh my! No internet for three weeks??? I'm afraid that would make one of us grumpy. :-)

Sherry said...

Glad to have the info about what campground to make sure not to go to. That does look like a real strange set up. But the rest of your time sounds great although living without internet does take some getting used to. We have become so dependent.

Wanderin' said...

How did you live without internet? We certainly wouldn't be able to. However, I'd certainly like to visit that state park.

Jim and Judy said...

I did not know Foster died so young. From your pics I know we will not be staying at that CG, thanks for the heads up.

Laura said...

The estate you visited looks fascinating. I'll be putting on our list of things to see someday. Gld you are hope safe and sound and connected!

Gypsy said...

I will be in Bardstown in just a few days but I will probably stay at a motel. I took the kids there back in the 1970's/early 1980's and I hope they haven't changed anything. I loved it.

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

We are back in the land of the living. Going to try to catch up on everyone's posts.

We only went three days without Internet, I can't image three weeks. We would both be nuts!

Thanks for the tour. The grounds of the house looks so lovely.