Experiencing America > Trip Year 2022 > Mountains, the Carolinas, and the Colonel > Day 1
Day ONE...
Monday, March 28th, 2022
Like most of our trips the earlier the start the better, especially on days with long travel ahead of us. Leaving home base near Chicago, IL, just after 4 in the morning we headed towards Indiana. Being it was well before sunrise...no picture of the state line crossing...
Now to State #2...Indiana!!...
Most of Indiana on this day was interstate driving. Getting to Indianapolis just before rush hour, and then stopping at a Big Boy for breakfast half way between Indianapolis, and Cincinnati.
Now to State #3...Ohio!!...
The Ohio Welcome Sign on EB I-74/U.S. 52.
Being in Ohio's great extreme southwestern part of the state it was time to see the sights and um...sights of Cincinnati, and a small national park within the hillsides of the city. To get to the William Taft home, we got to see some interesting sights that city has to offer. The Taft home and museum was a very nice and educational site. It is maintained and operated by the National Park Service.
A giant can of Sam Adams.
An old Warner Bros. office building.
A sign for the Taft site.
The Taft home.
Inside the Taft house.
After spending time in the museum and house at the Taft site, it was time to keep heading south. This took us through the city and along the riverfront of Cincinnati.
Now to State #4...Kentucky!!....
The Kentucky Welcome Sign on SB I-71/75.
The first stop in Kentucky, besides to refuel, was another site operated and maintained by the National Park Service. This took us off the interstate and into the Commonwealth of Kentucky's county, or hillside. After circling around Lexington, and a bit further south, we end up at Camp Nelson.
The sign at the entrance to the park.
Inside the park.
A cannon in the park.
A Coca-Cola billboard in Paint Lick, KY.
The first KFC with a bucket!!
Once back to Interstate 75 it was down to the State of Tennessee and the final state for the night.
Now to State #5...Tennessee!!....
The Tennessee Welcome Sign on SB I-75.
The ultimate goal for the night was Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. To get there it took a trip down what I will argue is the worst stretch of Interstate 75 to drive, and also Knoxville. At Knoxville, we did a return trip to the Wigsphere...also known as the Suns Sphere. While there is was also time to see what little bit Downtown Knoxville had to offer...not much...not much...
We found a large cross along I-75 to check off the road trip must list.
The Suns Sphere.
The Tennessee Theatre.
Day TWO