11 Undeniable Reasons Why Kentucky Will Always Be Home
By Jenn Shockley|Published July 13, 2016
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Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
When it comes to feeling comfortable, it is easy to feel right at home in Kentucky. It doesn’t matter if you have lived here all your life, or moved recently. There is just something about the beautiful countryside and friendly people that just welcomes you right in. Moving away from the Bluegrass State can be a real eye opener, depending on where you go. You might find yourself thinking back and realizing, Kentucky will always be home.
Here are 11 reasons people feel right at home in Kentucky:
Kentucky has a lot more diversity than some might assume. The larger cities have restaurants from every culture and a variety of entertainment to boot. You can come to places like Lexington, Newport, or Louisville and experience anything from a burlesque show to fine dining, a movie or a concert.
There is nothing quite like the excitement and chaos of Derby. It is the biggest event in Kentucky, and the excitement that comes with this renowned race is indescribable. We don’t go to the race, but the balloon glow and some of the other parts of the pre derby festival are a lot of fun.
When you drive through the rural parts of the state you will find people wave, more often than not. We cannot say this is consistent everywhere, but during travels we’ve found it to be quite common.
We have a lot of rich farmland, and it produces some wonderful fruits and vegetables. Some of us were blessed to grow up walking into the garden to pick fresh vegetables for dinner, right down to the apples for the pie. For those that can’t, there is always a farmers market somewhere nearby with fresh produce at a reasonable price.
We have a lot of forest preservation in Kentucky. There is nothing like just taking a pleasant stroll or exhilarating hike through the woods on a spring, summer or fall day. Every season brings another burst of color, scents and life in general.
Niagara Falls might be the most famous waterfall in the US… but it doesn’t have a moonbow. The stars shining down, as a the colorful rays cross the sky is mesmerizing. Visiting the falls on the night of a moonbow is a truly magical experience.
The fruit trees bloom, the gardens grow, and barbecues keep the smell of smoky flavor wafting through the air. If you live in a neighborhood, most likely you get to enjoy the scents of grilling out most weekends, or through the week depending on the schedules.
There has always been something relaxing about driving through the country. Regardless how you feel when you start driving, the tree lined streets, rolling fields, thick woods and country ponds can just lull you into a serene state of mind.
Everyone probably things the fishing is good in their state, but we seriously think Kentucky has something special going on. The catfish in some spots just seem to be tenderer than any you might find elsewhere. Floating around in a boat along a tree lined shore, perfect for a picnic just makes everything seem alright. Every one of Kentucky’s lakes has its own special kind of magic.
We, as a people, are fond of flowers. That is obvious if you drive through almost any neighborhood or rural county in the state. You will see well maintained, landscaped lawns with brightly colored rainbows in any design imaginable. There are entire fields of wildflowers, wild daisies, lilac and more. The scents can be amazing when the breeze blows and your downwind near one of these areas.
The weather is always a little cooler down by the river, regardless of season. The breeze blowing across the water just gives the air a little chill. A stroll by the river, or just a relaxing day at the dock can really make for a special day. It can really cheer you up on a bad day, just watching the ducks or the boats going by.
We’ve written about how the small town charm and southern hospitality can win over hearts, but there are so many more reasons to feel at home in Kentucky. We might have sporadic weather, high humidity and our share of crazy, but the beauty and quality of life really tip the scales to the positive.
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