On our bus approaching the Belle of Louisville for a dinner cruise. The food was good, but entertainment was lacking. Weather was very comfortable. We met a couple who were married on the date of the 100th Derby and will celebrate their 45th anniversary on the date of the 145th running. There are some very interesting stories here, very interesting people. 

As we approached the Belle, I heard people talking about the high water. That didn't really make an impression on me until I saw these park benches seat - deep in the Ohio river. These benches sit along the frontage of the dock .

Derby Week 2019

Here are six of the seven RVS in our cluster. Ed is standing next to our Newmar New Aire. There are several clusters like this throughout the RV area at the KY Fair and Expo center, all part of the Fantasy Tours/FMCA Derby Week event.

There are a couple of million dollars in this cluster alone, including a 2 - story Prevost (right rear).  Haven't met many people yet, but registration and orientation are today. Tonight we have a Dinner Cruise on the Belle of Louisville, a paddle wheel riverboat. One of the Derby events we enjoyed when we lived here in Louisville was the race between the Belle and Cincinnati ' s Delta Queen.

Yesterday we attended St. Stephens Baptist Church, a multi - campus church that is basically an African American church. It is one of the 100 largest churches in the country. The preacher yesterday, Rev. Ken Jobst, was white, the Executive Assistant minister of St. Stephens. The senior pastor, Rev. Kevin Cosby, was away celebrating the 18th anniversary of one of the other campuses. The service was an hour and a half, longer than any service I've been in for a while, but not really long by the cultural standards. We were blessed by the music of a 50 - voice youth choir.

The temps here are a surprise. Right now it is 52 degrees, heading for 80. Yesterday it didn't get out of the 50s. Derby Day is looking good, temps predicted to be in the 70s.

2019

We arrived at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY on Saturday afternoon, a day earlier than planned, but no problem.  I immediately met 4 men, three of whom were named Harold. What are the odds?!

We are here with RV'ers from FMCA for a week of Derby activities, culminating in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4, 2019.  This is the beginning of my summer travels, which will cover the east coast and other eastern states this year. That will complete our map of the continental U.S. in 3 summers of travel. Mileage wise, this will probably be our shortest trip.  See ya later.