Another packed day, starting back at the Mohamed Ali Centre which was open today. Ali was born and raised in Kentucky and became a professional boxer in Louisville. The centre tells his life story with a focus on the impact he had on his generation back in the turbulent 1960s and the work he has done as a goodwill and peace ambassador especially since giving up boxing. A very moving and thought provoking exhibition. I'm so glad we were able to go.
From there we headed out of town to the Bernheim Forest a beautiful 14000 acre managed park full of native trees, shrubs and flowers. After lunch in the cafe there we stopped briefly at an educational centre and for some photo opportunities.
Then it was on to the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Centre to learn about the history of bourbon distilling in Kentucky and a tasting of some fine 12 and 18 year old bourbon. The first bourbon was produced by accident when some whiskey was put into firescorched oak barrels to be sent downriver to St Louis for sale. In the 4 months or so it took to ship the whiskey there it had absorbed the flavours from the oak and turned from a clear to a golden colour liquid. The improvement in taste was soon realised as people started asking for that golden bourbon whiskey - bourbon being the name on the barrel of the county where it was produced. The makers were quick to respond by scorching the insides of the oak barrels and today it can stay in those barrels for up to 18 year.
Our evening was spent in downtown Louisville with Louisville Metro Rotoract Club - of which Cory Moran (GSE team member from Kentucky to the UK) is a member. Cory wasn't there, but we'd seen him last night at dinner with members of our host club and will see him again at District Conference in 10 days time.
Tomorrow we say farewell to the Prospect Goshen Club and travel 30 miles or so to Elizabethtown, so watch this space!
Anne
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