RN: After we left New River Gorge, we stayed in Beckley WV, then commenced our drive to Kentucky, stopping in Huntington WV for lunch.  In Huntington, Felix used Yelp to find a restaurant called “Le Bistro” that had a 5 star-rating.  We arrived quite late for lunch (2:00 pm) so we essentially had the place to ourselves.  After eating lunch, I walked to the back of the restaurant to seek my usual bio-break and I noticed the elaborate, upholstered chairs at the bar and arranged around the tables (see photo).  I told our server, Kiera, that the furniture was amazing and really extraordinary for a little restaurant.  She proudly told me that the owner designed the chairs with unusual fabrics that she found.  Then, Kiera proceeded to show us a “Speakeasy” downstairs that is used for special events. Surprise… It was like walking into a whole new world of fantasy- check out the second photo.  What an incredible place for a party!

By the time we arrived in Lexington, KY, we were starving, so Felix quickly found a restaurant called “Bourbon and Toulouse” downtown near the University of Kentucky campus.  It is a funky, student hang-out type of place with good cajun-style food dished out on paper plates. 

Shortly after we arrived, our incredible next surprise adventure of the evening started.  I’ll let Felix tell you about it…

FE. Before going to the next adventure, my take on Huntington, nice to find such excellent food, but Keira making the extra effort to show us the speakeasy mid-afternoon was special. I was gobsmacked by the beauty and style. I have to come back here when it is full of gents and dames.. Here is a larger pic

Well on then to Bourbon ‘n Toulouse….I know how to treat my special love…take her to a nine buck a plate student hangout. It was great food and good fun

and one of the bros working there had just returned from language school in Germany, so I broke out my best southern German brogue…only to have the couple behind me also chiming in..what fun. When we left I was given a most delicious slice of Bourbon Bundt cake, baked by the grandma of the student who just returned. It took us just two steps out to reach the Chevy Case Inn, the oldest bar in Lexington (Chevy Chase is an area in Lexington, developed by the same architect who developed the city in MD). Well the place oozes class, we felt right at home!

So, we sidled up to the bar, where Rob and Nathan wholeheartedly welcomed us and reminded us of the rules

and introduced me to the finer points of Bourbon appreciation. Mr Woodford and I got pretty close! Slightly inebriated, I was introduced to two gentlemen who are in the coal mining business and we had a most interesting, wide ranging and interesting conversation. But all things must end and fortunately Rae was my designated driver, but not before I visited the bathroom. I was glad they posted instructions of how to relieve myself!

RN: I wanted to insert that I also got to talk to folks at the bar: namely, Rob, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest or thereabouts because he knew all our favorite places in Oregon, including Mt Bachelor, Bend, and Hood River; Nathan, who had suffered a traumatic brain injury and was therefore very interested in neuroscience; a vascular surgeon at UK who just took on her position as attending after being chief resident (parallels to Mimi our daughter); and Mike, a former theater actor, who was really interested in the College Light Opera Company, whose board I am on. In fact, Mike kept me company while Felix was whooping it up with the coal mine owners. Thanks, Mike!!