Folks tend to talk about family traditions as those annual family activities that span generations. However, some family traditions resonate with just a single generation and, if you think about it, all family traditions have to start somewhere. Laurie and I are all about road trips along byways and single lane highways through the countryside, exploring villages, small towns and cities along the way... That is our personal 'tradition'.
Our son, David III and his wife Amy, have created their own family tradition. It may start and end with them...but it is something different...and its an experience that they are committed to.
Amy and David II have now stayed at 3 tiny cabins, this most recent one being a bit southwest of Duluth Minnesota. The others were in Illinois and Missouri. It is their escape from the world's craziness and it provides time together with minimal distractions. Each cabin is equipped with a small (tiny) bathroom as well as A/C and heat. The company providing their tiny cabin opportunity was Postcard Cabins. You can see the other amenities in the second photo...
David and Amy get a lot of reading done during their down time at the cabin but backroad exploration is also a part of their experience. The cabins are each set apart by a few hundred feet and generally they back up into the edge of the woods. Nearby hiking trails are provided. Postcard Cabins are always near state and national parks and a decent sized city is within an hour or two. They dine in local restaurants and sometimes stop by small shops. They already have booked their tiny cabin for next year.
A brief search on the Internet revealed a lot of 'tiny' cabins for rent. Apparently it is big business. Postcard Cabins and Airbnb are two major providers. In East Tennessee, many 'tiny' cabins are available from different sources...although in many instances, the use of "tiny" is questionable. Postcard Cabins' website is found at postcardcabins.com.
As I mentioned above, when David II and Amy are experiencing one of their tiny cabin stays, they do drive into nearby towns to look around and to dine at local eateries. Knowing my obsession with old railroad depots, David II took a photo of this old depot in Superior Wisconsin, which is now a brewery and restaurant. They stopped in for one of their meals.
The Thirsty Pagan Brewing and Restaurant is first of all a brewery. But they also serve appetizers, salads, pizzas, calzones and desserts. You can check out their website at https://www.thirstypaganbrewing.com/.
This depot was built in 1908 by the original Wisconsin Central Railroad. In 1909 it was leased by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, aka 'the Soo or Soo Line". Three former Presidents stopped at this depot, including Presidents Coolidge, Hoover and Truman. The last passenger train departed from the depot back in 1965.
...and now, back to our own road trip!
As we headed toward our next overnight stay in Bardstown Kentucky we drove through Murray Kentucky, the county seat for Calloway County. The Calloway County Courthouse was built in 1913 in the Classical Revival style. The previous courthouse had burned down but this replacement was finally funded through 'blatant election tampering'. Votes authorizing the issuance of bonds for construction were falsified. Voters had actually turned down the needed funding. Those in favor of the new courthouse cheated to get what they wanted.
Since the George Floyd killing in Minnesota, public memorials or statues like this one are unusual, with many being destroyed or moved to private property or cemeteries. This Confederate monument is located on the northeast corner of the Calloway County Courthouse property in Murray Kentucky. Featuring Robert E. Lee, it commemorates the 800 residents of the county who served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The monument was originally funded by a chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1917. Despite repeated and vocal calls for its removal, including pressure from Kentucky's Governor, the Calloway County Fiscal Court has ruled that the statue will be kept in place.
In downtown Cadiz Kentucky we came across a plethora of painted pigs! Over the years we've seen eye-catching painted cows, dogs, roosters, foals, cougars and more, but we'd never seen painted pigs. A local artist painted the pigs...some with ads and many without. We didn't come into town via the Interstate so we missed "Big Pig", a 10-foot sow that features painted images, stitched together like a quilt, showing scenes landmarks significant to Trigg County. The whole pig statue project was completed to promote the County Ham Festival... The festival pulls in something between 30,000 and 50,000 visitors each year.
That purple pig at the end of the group of pig photos shown above just happened to be placed right in front of The Purple Pig Antiques and Artisans retail store. Yes indeed, we did make a couple of small purchases... It was an interesting store with a lot of variety for those who enjoy browsing for 'treasures'. To learn more about The Purple Pig retail establishment, you can just go to ThePurplePigAntiquesAndArtisans.com.
Our next stop was in Cadiz Kentucky. This town's Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places back in 1988. A total of 16 contributing buildings are included. That includes the former commercial building at 63 Main Street as shown above. A portion of the building now serves and the Cadiz City Hall. Although I'm sure that this structure was built prior to 1920, I couldn't confirm a completion date.
Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...
Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
I would prefer to have my own camping van than to stay in that tiny cabin. Those painted pigs look so adorable.
ReplyDeleteThe small homes and cabins seem to be pretty popular but I think I'll pass.
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