May 6, 2012 -- Corbin and Lexington, Kentucky

Thankfully there were no ants in our room on Sunday, but I still didn't trust the in-room coffee maker. We took a last look at our view from our room and headed north to Berea for brunch at the Boone Tavern. It had seemed with the traffic Friday night that graduation was either that night or Saturday, but no, it was Sunday at 2:00. The universe was still on our side and we were able to once again get a free street space after going around the block and apparently most of the graduates and their families had already left the Tavern, so we were easily able to get a table. Typically I'm not a buffet person, not being much of a meat eater and being very picky, but I can highly recommend Boone Tavern. Once again I should have documented the meal, but after only a cereal bar that morning I was starved. The creamy mashed new potatoes were fabulous and I finally got to try spoon bread (an eggy version of cornbread). By the time we shared a piece of carrot cake and apple crisp I was beyond full.

On our way back we stopped at the Arboretum in Lexington, near the University of Kentucky (which thankfully wasn't having graduation ceremonies). It's a lovely, and free, park with ample parking. The paved footpaths were just what we needed to walk off some of buffet calories and take in some more nature. There was an interesting sculpture near the rose garden and a very large reminder that you're in Wildcat country.

Rewind -- March 4, 2012 -- Going to Asheville

Kent and I went down to Asheville, North Carolina for a few days. We saw a great deal of devastation from the storms off the highway, but also the same beautiful mountain range. This time we decided to do a little drive-by in Berea, Kentucky. Boone Tavern was more grand than I expected. They also had a high school designed like a pagoda (very cool). I've always been amused by the metal cross towering over Adult World.

Upon arriving, we were starved, so we went to the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company. The American remake of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" was playing, but had already started, so we opted for the dining room. The 80s movies table grabbed me (ah, the memories). The Memorial Library on the wall was also fascinating, but what I loved most was the ladies room. Talk about visual overload. Austin Powers greeted me on the ceiling as I looked up, Phillip Glass was on the wall, along with a helpful traffic warning, and a lovely smiling orange kitty.