Moonshine, Mountains & Music 25

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Travel in comfort aboard our deluxe motor coach to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. We arrive at the East Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium, located on the Campus of the Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg, Kentucky for a delicious dinner and a laser light show accompanied by music. After the laser show we make the short ride to the Comfort Suites, our hotel for the next three nights.

Day 2

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for a day of Kentucky sightseeing. We begin our touring at the Middle Creek National Battlefield where on January 10, 1862, the Union and Southern Forces met seeking military control of this strategic gateway from Virginia. Two thousand soldiers engaged in a 24-hour struggle with gun firing and cannons blazing. Union Col. James Garfield claiming victory, and he later become the 20th President of the United States. Next, we tour the Historic Samuel May House. Built in the Federal style in 1817, this historic landmark is the oldest brick house in the Big Sandy Valley and was used by Samuel's son, Col. Andrew Jackson May as a recruiting station for the Confederacy during the Civil War. You will meet a re-enactor of Ms. May and following her presentation you will be served tea and cookies. Next, enjoy some free time in downtown Prestonsburg for browsing and shopping. Later we head to the Jenny Wiley Lodge for a delicious buffet lunch and a reenactment of "The Legend of Jenny Wiley". It is the survival story of Jenny Wiley, a legendary pioneer woman, who was taken captive by Native Americans in 1789, endured the slaying of her brother and children and eventually escaped her captivity after 11 months. Following lunch and reenactment, we enjoy a pontoon boat cruise on Dewey Lake. This afternoon we enjoy a scenic tour en route to the "Moon Shine Hide-A-Way and Tour," with a photo-stop at the Stone Crest Mining Site. Now a golf course that sits on seven hundred acres of mountain top land and built on a reclaimed strip mine, the course offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Highlights of our tour will include a demonstration of how the old timers brewed distilled famous mountain "white lightin," a police officer who questions the illegal operation, and finally the Shriners who take up their instruments and sing a couple of Moon Shine songs and featuring plenty of foot-stompin' dancing. Before returning to the hotel, we are treated to a delicious Bar-B-Que dinner and entertainment provided by the Moon Shine Band.

Day 3

After breakfast we meet our step-on guide, and depart for another day of Kentucky sightseeing. We begin our touring at the Mayo Methodist Church, built by local coal baron John C.C. Mayo and donated to the Congregation in 1909. This unique structure is listed on the National Historic Register and houses a Pichner pipe organ given to Mayo by Andrew Carnegie. Next, we continue on the Country Music Highway to Staffordsville, Kentucky. We arrive at the Country Music Highway Museum, dedicated to the country music entertainers who were born or lived near U.S. Route 23 in eastern Kentucky, including Billy Ray Cyrus, The Judds, Tom T. Hall, Ricky Skaggs, Loretta Lynn, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakum, and Patty Loveless. Our guided tour takes us along the scenic 445 Kentucky Route 172 to our next destination of the day, the Mountain Home Place in Staffordsville, Kentucky for a tour, lunch, and entertainment. The setting is a glimpse back in time to the mild 1800's to a typical rural farm in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. First, you will view a short documentary narrated by Richard Thomas, aka "John Boy" of this early mountain life. Then characters in period dress present stories of the log house, barn, the blacksmith shop, and of the church and school. Have your cameras ready to capture the beauty of this rural landscape and the farm animals. The next stop of the day will be a visit to the Homestead of Loretta Lynn for touring. First, there is a stop at Webb's Grocery. Originally a company coal mine grocery circa 1910, this is the General Store at "Butcher Holler" Kentucky. Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle's brother, Herman, who is now deceased, owned, and ran this store. Enjoy a snack of a RC Cola, a moon pie and entertainment while you browse and shop for souvenirs. Next, we go to Loretta Lynn's Butcher Hollow Home Place. Loretta's cousin will share with us the story of Loretta and her famous sister Crystal Gayle, and he will provide a first-hand account of his two cousins and what it was like living there 60 years ago. After returning to the hotel, you will have some time to relax and freshen up before we go out for a delicious dinner at Billy Ray's Restaurant and an evening of entertainment provided by the Honky Tonk Girls at the Mountain Arts Center.

Day 4

After breakfast settle back and enjoy the movie "Coal Miner's Daughter" on our drive home, while reminiscing about the sights and sounds of "The Bluegrass State," Kentucky!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner