North America – Passports Overloaded

Louisville, Ketucky – 2019 Kentucky Derby

May 2, 2019

Today we checked into the hotel and we got ready and headed to Eddie Merlot’s for dinner afterward we went back to the hotel to settle in and get ready for the Kentucky Oaks tomorrow

May 3, 2019

Today we got ready for the Kentucky Oaks I wore a pink dress in honor of breast cancer survivors and a fascinator which was hand painted ostrich feathers. After the Oaks race, we had an after party where we saw Martina McBride perform a bunch of her hit songs.

May 4, 2019 – DERBY DAY!!!!!

Today was exciting. Going to the Kentucky Derby was on our bucket list and we are lucky enough to be able to check it off.

Oaks Day

DERBY DAY!!!

Maria, John, Adam, Sid, Brian, Rodney, Linda & Donna

Louisville Airport

We were on the plane with Bob Baffert – Legendary Horse Trainer. I asked him to sign our Trophy Room tickets.

Gifts from The Derby Experience

Netherland Plaza Hotel -Cincinnati, Ohio

April 28, 2019

We checked into the Netherland Plaza Hotel.

The ceiling at Orchids Palm Court Restaurant

Amway Grand Rapids Hotel

April 26, 2019

Peru, Indiana – Carriage Manor Estate

April 30, 2019

Today we drove to our friend’s house in Peru. The Carriage Manor Estate is a beautiful home with a lot of history. Our friends took us to their old stomping grounds to show us around. We had lunch at this place called Streamliner which is located in Rochester. After lunch, we then drove to Culver which was nice to see because that’s where Tim grew up. While we were in Culver they took us to this amazing high school called Culver Military Academy. Afterwards, we went back to Rochester to Evergreen for a nice dinner before heading back to Peru.

May 1, 2019

Today Tim & Cindy took us on a tour of Peru. We saw the house where Cole Porter grew up and then the house he built after he became famous. We then saw where the circus practices. Apparently, Peru was known as the circus capital of the world. Read this article about it.

Peru, Indiana – The Lodge @ Carriage Manor Estate

April 30, 2019

Today we drove to our friend’s house in Peru. The Carriage Manor Estate is a beautiful home with a lot of history. Our friends took us to their old stomping grounds to show us around. We had lunch at this place called Streamliner which is located in Rochester. After lunch, we then drove to Culver which was nice to see because that’s where Tim grew up. While we were in Culver they took us to this amazing high school called Culver Military Academy. Afterward, we went back to Rochester to Evergreen for a nice dinner before heading back to Peru.

May 1, 2019

Culver Military Academy – Culver, Indiana

A horse and carriage – Amish Lifestyle

Cole Porter’s House

Some funny signs we saw at a restaurant in Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana

April 29, 2019

Today we drove to visit our friend’s Jan and Al who we met on a cruise in South America. They took us on a tour of downtown Indianapolis and then we went back to their lovely house which was nestled in the woods. It was a beautiful home in this quiet spot. We got there early enough to go and grab a bite to eat for lunch. We ate at this amazing place called Bluebeard indy.

We went to eat dinner at a famous place called St. Elmo’s Steakhouse.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

At the speedway, we took a Kiss The Bricks Tour which was pretty cool.

Maria & John Kissing the Finish Line Bricks

The strips in the pavement that communicates information with the cars and the tower

Hickory Corners, Michigan

April 27, 2019

Today on the way to Columbus, Ohio we saw a billboard that had the Gilmore Car Museum advertised. We had plenty of time to spare so we decided to check it out. I’m really glad that we did because it was the nicest car museum we’ve ever seen.

Cincinnati, Ohio

April 28, 2019

We checked into the Netherland Plaza Hotel and went to eat lunch by the stadium Moerlain Lager House and then walked over the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. The bridge was built by the same guy who built the Brooklyn bridge. We had dinner at the Orchids at Palm Court.

Columbus, Ohio

April 27, 2019

Today on the way to Cincinnati we stopped at Gilmore Car Museum and then checked into the hotel and went to Hofbrauhaus for a German dinner.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

April 26, 2019

Today we checked into the Amway Hotel and walked around Heritage Hill to see the nice houses which are down below. After walking around we decided to have lunch at one of the old pubs called Cottage Bar.