Sturgis

We left the Chubbs and headed to visit other people that we had met from Myakka, Bill and Nancy Baird who live in Sturgis, KY. It was a bit of a drive, especially when you don’t follow Bill’s directions to the tee. Apparently, the road 1508 connects twice with the road we were on and we were supposed to take the second connection as the first one takes you down and around a skinny, curvy road. The good news that we made it, although it wasn’t the shortest and easiest way to get there. Bill met us on the road in front of his driveway

to show us where to park. Check this out:

Their house is up on the bluff!

Since the time they purchased the property they have been clearing all the trees out in front of the bluff so that they have spectacular views.

They named their place “Top of the Bluff”. They also were able to light up the bluffs at night:

After we got set up and settled in we were able to see their place.

Bill owned a Coke Oven Equipment company that could also stamp sheet metal some examples of his work can be seen on the sides of the buildings. You may ask yourself “self, what is a Shoot Shed?” I would respond “Good question”. Bill built himself a clay pigeon shooting spot in the backyard. Here it is:

Very cool!

We ran into Sturgis to have a mexican dinner at Fiesta Acapulco. We were hungry and the food was decent. I learned that Sturgis, KY used to host a motorcycle event called “Little Sturgis Bike Week”, but after losing a lawsuit to Sturgis Bike Week in South Dakota they had to change the name.

The next day Nancy made us a great BLT lunch with a noodle salad and homemade chocolate pie! What a yummy treat!

Afterwards they took us to see the Garden of the Gods in Illinois. Nice short hiking trails that showed these views:

One of the formations is called the Camel Back, here’s a picture:

Of course, camels remind me of Egypt:

Formed by glaciers long before I was born! I think that they should have called it The Little Garden of the Gods because Colorado’s gardens are bigger, but still very interesting and to think that they were in flat Illinois!

Instead of taking the bridge back across the Ohio River, we opted for the ferry out of Cave-In-Rock.

On this ferry a number of years ago, Bill proposed to Nancy! She, of course, said yes! Nice boat ride!

Bill then showed us some more of the area before we headed back to their place. Since it was getting late in the day, we decided to order pizza for pick up.

As we were awaiting, Bill decided to fire his cannon (The Beast) that he made in his factory. It is a replica of one that he saw at the Alamo in San Antonio, TX.

Wow, that thing was loud! I had seen many a video of him firing it, but it was much more exciting to see it in person! What a send off on our final evening with them!

After finishing the pizza (and the rest of the chocolate pie) we headed down to the Busse Bus II for the evening.

The next morning we said adieu to Nancy and then stopped at Bill’s company called Saturn for a tour.

Very impressive! Once done we continued our journey, now headed to Nashville, TN.

Thank you Bill and Nancy for being such gracious hosts!