Since taking the time to seriously considering the items on my bucket list, attending the Kentucky Derby has always been present. While Keith was off tasting more bourbon, I took the opportunity to venture over to Louisville and explore the Kentucky Derby Museum along with Churchill Downs.

I joined Keith on his yearly pilgrimage to bourbon country, aka Kentucky, this year. Bourbon country sure is gorgeous. Keith tried to explain how pretty Buffalo Trace was last year, but I didn't really believe him. I guess I owe him an apology because it might be the most scenic of all the distilleries we've visited.

As promised, I wanted to share a few more photos from our anniversary trip to New York last week. Considering another polar vortex had hit the city during our visit, we took in more museums than expected. I fear Keith might have already reached his limit for art exhibits for 2014.

We visited two of the essentials - the Met and MoMA, but we also took in the Morgan Library and Museum.  The Morgan Library began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, the father of J.P. Morgan. It was one of those delightful discoveries all because we wanted to stay inside as much as possible.

As the snow started to fall in New York, Keith and I were hustling to Penn Station for our return back to the District on Saturday. We agreed that we'll plan our future anniversary trips for some place south, where we won't be faced with polar vortexes. 

 

Here are a few photos I managed to take without removing my gloves. 

We flew back to Kansas this past weekend to help my mom celebrate her 60th birthday. During a little downtime, I managed to share a piece of Kansas history with Keith by making the drive over to Abilene for an afternoon exploring the Eisenhower museum.

You all know of my love for presidential libraries. Despite having visited this one many times, I still enjoy walking through and learning a new tidbit or two. Unlike most other presidential libraries, the Eisenhower library and museum is more like a campus with multiple buildings, including his childhood home as well as chapel including his final resting place.

While Keith was off running around Kentucky, I decided to head down south as well to Atlanta for a little time with my sister. Aside from spending a little QT with her, the highlight had to be the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum.

Yes, I'm a bit of a nerd. I have a goal of visiting each presidential library, even those presidents I whose politics I may not agree with. Since she moved to Atlanta five years ago, visiting the Carter's has been on the list. Realizing she couldn't avoid it any longer, she finally decided this last trip would be the one.

I was familiar with his policies and accomplishments in office, but what was most interesting was everything he's achieved since. Here's a few of the photos I was able to take of the highlights.

I just got back from visiting Kentucky to pick some bourbon barrels for a group of like-minded bourbon aficionados. I had an amazing time and I wanted to share some pictures of the experience.

The Willett still house

Rick houses at Willett

Barrels lined up for tasting at Buffalo Trace

Bonded rick house at Buffalo Trace

Elmer T. Lee barrel at Buffalo Trace

The tasting assembly line at Buffalo Trace

The barrels lined up for tasting at Four Roses

Jim Rutledge, Four Roses Master Distiller thieving out the bourbon

Four Roses barrel prepared for tasting

Four Roses rick houses

Four Roses tasting place settings

Whiskey and BBQ...two of our favorite things. On Friday, we flew out to Kansas City and braced ourselves for a 4.5 hour drive to Branson, Missouri for a family wedding. Before we even considered starting the over four hour drive, we stopped at Arthur Bryant's for some authentic Kansas City BBQ.

Considering Keith grew up in Texas, there was some skepticism on his part as to whether Arthur Bryant's would deliver. But when I saw his tweet describing, "Arthur Bryant's was a revelation." I knew I wouldn't have to hear about the virtues of Texas for the drive ahead. We contemplated grabbing another sandwich for the flight home on Sunday, but instead decided to save the next visit for when we return in September.

Keith and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary by taking an early flight to Las Vegas on Friday. We stayed at the MGM Grand (where we said "I do"), ate some great meals, lost a little money, introduced Keith to Cirque du Soleil, watched some jelly fish, explored the world, and just spent time away from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC.