Yesterday gave us a false sense of hope that things were warming up, but today the temperatures dropped back into single digits and it felt colder than ever.
Our first stop was the Kentucky Horse Park, a unique blend of working horse farm, international equestrian venue, and educational theme park. Despite the cold, some of us were excited to explore. We started with a horse and carriage ride through the park along the quiet pathways behind a pair of gentle draft horses. We all squashed into a single row of the carriage, huddling together in an effort to stay warm against the crisp, wintry air. We wandered through the various barns patting the horses that would allow it.
Next was the Hall of Champions presentation, where we learned about two of the park’s star retirees, Roy H, a champion sprinter, and Mr. Muscleman, a charismatic trotter with quite the personality. It was amazing to see how much love and care these retired champions receive.
Afterward, we watched the Equine Showcase, where costumed riders presented various horse breeds from around the world. The performances were educational, with each horse showing off unique traits and movements and Greer was excited to see the Arabian horse in particular, and give it a pat after the show.
Despite the freezing temperatures, Greer was all in for the 30-minute horseback trail ride—and she absolutely loved it. Meanwhile, the rest of us took refuge in the café, doing our best to stay warm.
Once Greer was back and thawed out, a hot drink was in order, so we made a much-needed stop at Starbucks. We grabbed lunch there too, although it wasn’t much warmer inside—so the car quickly became our cozy dining room.
Back at our accommodation, the kids enjoyed a lazy afternoon of warmth and rest while Mark and I headed out for something a bit more grown-up: a visit to Woodford Reserve, one of Kentucky’s most iconic bourbon distilleries. The 30-minute drive out of Lexington was stunningly scenic, winding through rolling hills and quiet backroads. We could only imagine how breathtaking it would be in summer or during the autumn, with the trees in full color.
We arrived early and browsed before our tour began. Our experience was the “Spectacle for the Senses,” which started with a short bus ride across the grounds while our guide, Jamie shared fascinating tidbits about the history and craft of bourbon making.
The tasting itself was fantastic—we sampled two bourbons and three whiskeys, each thoughtfully paired with a small bite to explore the nuances of whiskey and flavour pairing. We learned how to properly sip and savor, and how food could dramatically influence the taste of each pour. It was an immersive, sensory-rich experience that gave us a whole new appreciation for the complexity of bourbon.
After the tasting, we found ourselves in the distillery’s cozy cocktail lounge, where we ordered a perfectly made Old Fashioned each, paired with a little cheese, and settled into armchairs by the fire. It was the perfect way to warm up and wind down.
On the way back to Lexington, we stopped by Publix for a few dinner supplies before retreating for a quiet, cozy evening in. The perfect end to a frosty but full and memorable day in Kentucky.