Rob gets a confusing history lesson

In 2003, while driving to Arizona with Heather, we saw some signs off of the Indiana interstate drawing our attention to the Abraham Lincoln Historical Log Cabin Site. We thought it would be a good distraction from the miles and miles of endless corn, so we got off of the interstate to check it out. We drove through 17 miles of tiny towns and (more) cornfields and finally arrived at the Abraham Lincoln Historical Log Cabin Site. See how happy Rob and I look below?

Unfortunately, the site was closed the day we happened to be there, and we never got to go in. We were a little upset, on two different levels -- one, we were denied the chance to see this historical log cabin; and two, we had driven 34 miles out of our way for no reason.

So why the time travel back to 2003? Here's why. As Karen and I were driving from Lexington to Cave City, we apparently passed through some pretty historical places. We first happened upon the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln in Knob Creek. We pulled off of the road, since it was a mere 17-FOOT detour instead of a 17-MILE detour, and saw the log cabin where Lincoln spent some of his early boyhood years.

But then I got confused.... how could Lincoln have a historical site in Indiana AND in Kentucky? How could Lincoln grow up simultaneously in two log cabins in neighboring states? And to add to the confusion, most people associate Lincoln with Springfield, Illinois. WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!!

Lincoln, why do you leave me with so many questions?

To increase the confusion, we drove a little further down the road to Hodgenville and happened upon this... the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace. Oh great, how are we ever going to sort this out?!

Someone went through a lot of time and energy to build this. You walk up the steps, enter the memorial building, and inside it, you find...

...an enshrined log cabin! There is a log cabin INSIDE of the fancy-looking memorial.

Now here's quite possibly the funniest thing about this enshrined log cabin birthplace of the 16th president... the people who built the memorial around this log cabin are not even sure that Lincoln was born here, or that he even ever lived here!

So let's recap. This is a log cabin site in Lincoln City, Indiana (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) that claims Lincoln grew up there and developed his sense of honesty and integrity there. There is a log cabin site in Knob Creek, Kentucky that claims that Lincoln grew up there. There is an enshrined log cabin site in Hodgenville, Kentucky that claims... well, they don't claim much, do they?

Once I got home I did many Google searches on Lincoln to find out how he could have grown up in 3 separate log cabins. It turns out that he was born in Kentucky (maybe inside the enshrined cabin, maybe not), spent his early childhood years in Knob Creek, Kentucky, came of age in Indiana, moved on to Illinois, and from there I think we all have a pretty good handle on what Abraham Lincoln did.

Mystery solved.

But seriously... why build an elaborate memorial around a log cabin if no one knows if Lincoln was actually born there?

Rob Experiences Lexington's Finest

We decided to experience the fine city of Lexington on the cheap. This consisted of driving around scenic byways looking for blue grass and looking for some of the wacky attractions described on Roadside America.

As it turns out, the grass here is actually green. A lot of it gets eaten by horses, like the one seen above.

Some more of the scenic pastures and the green Kentucky bluegrass.

Rob and I at Bondurant's Pharmacy in Lexington. It was the first drive-through anything in Lexington, and it's shaped like a giant mortar and pestle. Best of all? It's free to see!

Here's another free oddity we found on Roadside America -- the world's largest Dixie Cup water tower. Who thinks of these things?


Below, Karen waves hello from Noah's Ark. You see, Lexington is home to the world's largest Bible-themed mini-golf course! We didn't know what to expect, but fans of bible-themed mini-golf will not be disappointed by this course. There were THREE separate courses we could have done -- the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Miracles. We decided to go in order and just tackle the Old Testament for today.

Each hole was accompanied by a corresponding bible verse that golfers can read as they putt on through.

The dreaded Mount Sinai, which took each of us about 12 strokes before we gave up and went onto the next hole.


We took many more pictures that won't be posted for space reasons... like the God Created Light hole, the Wall of Jericho hole, Jonah and the Whale hole, and my personal favorite -- the And On The 7th Day God Rested Hole. Only in the Bible Belt could you find a golf course like this!


Speaking of the Bible Belt, check out the Wilmore water tower. I know it's an overcast day and the tower is white, but you should be able to see a giant white cross perched on top of the tower.

Karen and Rob wait in the car while I got out to snap a scenic picture.

Cumberland Falls, Kentucky

From Charleston, WV our next stop was Cumberland Falls State Park in Kentucky. We passed through the town of Corbin, KY which just happened to be where Harland Sanders first started serving fried chicken...

Colonel Sanders, Rob, and I

The Colonel, Karen, and Rob rest for a bit.

And here we are at Cumberland Falls. Supposedly if you view the waterfalls at the full moon you can see a "moonbow." However, we had missed the full moon. AND... we were there in the daytime. Still a great view, though.

After the falls we drove up to Lexington, KY. Tomorrow we go exploring to see if the grass really is blue here.

Rob sees the Pittsburgh Pirates

Rob got to see his first ever major league baseball game today -- Pittsburgh Pirates against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a little sad that I didn't take him to the new Yankee Stadium for his first trip, but hopefully he enjoyed himself enough today to get over that. So what does one wear to see the Pirates play the Cardinals? A Yankees hat (me) and a Phillies hat (Karen). At least no one gave us a hard time about our teams.

Karen, Rob, and I in front of the stadium. PNC Bank Stadium is the smallest major league ball park. I liked it a lot. We found it very comfortable.

Our seats were behind home plate. Albert Pujols is talking to the ump after getting hit by a pitch.

Grounds crew hard at work after every three innings.

Here's the view from our seats. Not bad for under $30!

After the game we made our way down to West Virginia. And yes, we played the John Denver song...

Rob at the Martin Guitar Factory

Karen, Rob, and I went out to Nazareth, Pennsylvania to take a tour of the Martin Guitar Factory. It's a free tour, so that was an added bonus!

Sanding down the fretboard so it's smooooooooooooth...

Yup, even with all the advances of modern technology, they found that clothespins work best for this part of the process.

Look at all of those necks waiting for partners!

The buffing machine was fun to watch work.

Other fun Martin guitar facts:
1. It takes 3.5 months from start to finish to make one guitar.
2. They're expensive, so of course...
3. I want to own one someday.

Rob visits his roots (?)

Rob jumped at the chance to visit St. Elmo street in Allentown, PA after coloring his Easter eggs. Why was he so interested in visiting here, you ask? Well... Rob Lowe happened to star in a little movie called St. Elmo's Fire, and the picture that tours the country is actually FROM that movie. Crazy!

Karen and Rob on St. Elmo street

Rob dyes Easter eggs in Pennsylvania

Rob traveled out to Emaus, PA to color some Easter eggs.

Karen modeling the Eye-eggs, version #1.

Rob modeling the Eye-eggs, version #2

Rob watches over the three dozen eggs we colored.

The proud egg-makers.

Rob meets a baby!

Here's Rob Lowe with the youngest person he's ever met -- C. at 10 days old! Pay no mind to the crazily-grinning person holding Rob and C.!