Graduation Trip -- Louisville -- 3 strikes and your out!

We started our trip to Eric's graduation, enjoying a long stopover in St. Louis, and spending most of one day in Louisville.

Because our layover was lengthy, we left the airport on the Metro, and went to see the St Louis Arch and the Mississippi River. There are so many wonderful things and historical elements in our country, it is a joy to see, experience and enjoy these sights.

While on the Metro, headed towards the Arch, we passed by Busch Stadium where the Cardinals play. Just catching the flavor of this important city was fun.

The city of Louisville held several important aspects for us, first and foremost, the Louisville Slugger factory and museum is there; secondly, there are Stanley family history elements there; and finally, the Kentucky Derby is run there. We had planned on picking up Eric's graduation gift (a bat with is name on it) at the Louiseville Slugger museum, but we were surprised at the whole scene at the museum. The entire situation was fun for a baseball fan. A movie about "The crack of the bat," narrated by James Earl Jones; the factory where they make the bats of everyone from the big leagues, to Little League, to souvenir pens emblazened with your favorite team's logo, to a batting cage where you can use bats form big leaguers. I used Manny Rameriz's bat, but did not have the hair to send one out of the park.

With a little time on our hands, we found the Churchhill Downs, site of the Kentucky Derby about five days before. We walked in and enjoyed the sites and sounds of the final race of the day. Our horses lost, but we were right above the finish line, without our stylish hat or Mint Julip.


Another interesting part of Louisville, is that it has a famous sports background. Most baseball fans know the story of Jackie Robinson, the first black player in the major leagues, but one of his teammates, Pee Wee Reese, was from Louisville. Reese was credited with helping Robinson in the hardest of times with the racial break through that Robinson and the Dodgers created. Reese and Robinson are pictured here. The other famous sports legend from Louisville in Cassius Clay, or Muhammad Ali as he was known. Ali was also from Louisville, and the city celebrates him on the side of this building. His smile remains infectious, and the memories he fosters are come from that magical face.


Finally, we met Eric, who had completed his last final hours before, and we headed for Highland Heights. On the way home, Eric gave us a surprise visit to the Louisville Temple. This small but beautiful building is located in the heart of a residential area of rolling hills and trees. The setting and the feeling was as expected, peaceful and comfortable.