Day 4 - Big Four Bridge to Nowhere but Adventure

Our 4th day in Louisville turned out to be a bit of an adventure.  We heard about a waterfront park and bridge where you could 'walk to Indiana.'  So, off we went, first stopping at Barbara Lee's for some classic breakfast.  A spunky diner run by a family of Kentucky Wildcat fans.  After breakfast we made our way to the Big Four Bridge, a walking bridge that connects Louisville, Kentucky with Jeffersonville, Indiana.  It was chilly, to say the least and as we made our way to the bridge's opening we were asked if we wanted to be interviewed about a different bridge project.  We told the reporters we were not from the area and so politely declined, took a few jump photos, and made our way cross the bridge.  

Well, the other side, apparently is having some construction work done and so was not open quite yet.  There were thoughts and even discussions of hopping but we decided it against and instead planned on driving to Jeffersonville.  We took a few minutes to play on a playground, kind of figured that's why they were built.

We were in search of the Levee - a dive bar.  

Well, we didn't find the Levee at first, but we did find the South Indiana Visitor Center.  By this point it started to rain and so our helpful visitor center informationist gave us a few ideas - one of which was Schimpff's Candy store.  Seeing as how I'm from Hershey this decided like a good idea.  Sweet older couple gave us a mini-tour and we chatted with them for about half an hour.  There was a ton of great memorabilia and a lot of history, including a 5 cent candy machine.  

I forgot to mention, on the way to Schimpff's we passed the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile.  So, we turned around, got out, and took photos.  Another guy there told us he saw it from the highway and turned around so he could take photos with this iconic piece of American history.  Then we were off on an adventure, in search of coffee.  Passed Becca's Wash House.  Found a Dunkin' Doughnuts and played some crib.

Eventually we made it to the Levee and met Regina, our bartender for the evening.  We shot some pool and shot the shit with her.  Rebecca even did a shot with her.  She was quite the lady and commented on my appearance as soon as we approached the bar.  There was also a chalk wall so you could write anything you wanted and leave your mark.  Rebecca did.  It was our kind of place and had we had more time we probably would have stayed longer.  However, we were off to meet our next set of hosts and ran into Ernest at the Dizzy Whizz.  This is a story best saved for the next post, but here are some photos to enjoy!

 (Big Four Bridge to Nowhere)

 (A shot of downtown Louisville)

(Finally starting to get the jump shots down)

(And here's Rebecca with her big ups!)

 (A little spin the Merry-Go-Round)

(Fun couples shot)

(And then she snuck in a kiss and took a photo...)

 (Pole sliding)

(Who could that be coming down the slide?  Well it ain't me...)

 (This was an interesting wall on historic Frankfort Ave and just stood there, by itself, without any other walls)

 (Fun time photos)

 (I wonder what she was looking at because it sure wasn't me...)

 (South Indiana Visitor Center + Bridal Show sign)

 (Oscar Mayer)

(She was super pumped to see the Weinermobile)

(I, of course, had to do a jump shot with it.  There is a faint recollection I've seen it around Hershey a time or two.)

 (Pig outside Schimpff's)

 (Those are the rollers used to press the candy to make certain shapes - largest collection either in the world or North America and they aren't made anymore because everything is now on a much larger scale.)

 (Dipping some candy into chocolate)

(More rollers and the work space)

 (Antique table used to cool the candy before it goes to the press)

 (Shot of the press, as you can see it is not a very large scale operation)

(Each press has a corresponding piece)

(Lots of old time boxes)

 (5 cent candy machine)

 (You drop your nickle in the slot, pull the tab, and the drawer slides down)

(Here you can see the drawer sliding down which reveals the candy)

 (There was a ton, I mean a ton of candy goodies, a lot of it very old...)

(Old Hershey's vending machine)

(Chief Watta Pop I believe was this guy's name)

 (Becca's Wash House - Dial 28B-ECCA)

(Just kinda funny we stumbled across this place)

 (Rebecca leaving her mark)

 (Time for some pool and a few drinks)

(My turn to shoot, and I do believe I did much better this game...)

('TJ is a Weird' and 'Beer Will Change the World')

10¢ Wings and 5¢ Candy

Last Monday, Shereen and I went to Donegal's Irish Pub.  The reason - 10 cent wings.  It's hard to complain about wings, especially when you get 10 for $1.  We sat on the patio since it was nice out and while the wings were a bit small (not quite sure what anyone would expect for 10 cents), the flavors were quite tasty.  I think we tried the mild, which had a bit of heat, sweet chili, whiskey BBQ, and bacon chipotle.  Like I said, all the flavors were rather tasty and I would go back again.  Also, because it is 'Wing Night,' I believe they do not cook to order, they just fry a bunch and have them waiting.  They also had 'schooners' which were pretty much a mini pitcher of beer for $7.99 or $8.99 and I was feeling great after only 2.  So, that was fun.  With all the critique, I would go back.  It's more for the company and $1 wings then the food.

I didn't realize I turned into a food critic, probably because I'm not.  Next, Shereen asked me if I wanted to do something 'really Canadian.'  And yes, those are quotes, because that's exactly what she said.  And of course, you know what I said - 'Yes!'  I was thinking poutine or maple syrup something, maybe even some Canadian Bacon ice cream...  Where do we go?  7-Eleven.  What do we do?  Get 5¢ candy.  Pow!  I've never felt more Canadian in my life (probably because I've never felt Canadian to begin with).  On a side note, they also have 25¢ candy in the same section, and if you are sneaky and somewhat scandalous like a certain young woman I know, you might just throw a few of those into the bag.

The story's not over yet...  but close.  Before we got in the van to head home, we went for a little walk.  Along the way, we 'passed' a Wal-Mart where I ended up getting hangers and a few candles for myself and some dates for Shereen, even though we just had candy.  I think someone has a sweet tooth and it's not this guy.  And that, is the end of the story.  Here are a few photos I grabbed off the internet since I didn't have my camera.

 (Entrance to Donegal's Irish Pub)

(Kind of what our wings looked like...)

(Shereen did manage to snap a photo with her smart phone and here's me with my schooner.  And I helped her, and we got one more.  And I need a hair cut, soon...)

(Stock 7-ELEVEN photo)

 (A special thanks for this young woman and her blog.  This is 5¢ candy Super Size Edition.  The 7-ELEVEN we went into had about 20 choices and as you can tell, it varies from store to store.  Again, special thanks to http://65redroses.livejournal.com/90854.html.)  

(You put the candies in a bag and then go up and tell the cashier how many you have and you are charged, based on the honor system.  I saw a few people snacking on candies as we waited, and yes, I'll say it, Shereen was one of them...  Anyway, I was curious, if people didn't 'snack' while they were picking out candies and were honest with the count, I wonder if 5 cent candies could be cheaper?)