Day 17: Benham, KY to Wilmore, KY
June 13, 2024
Mileage: Unknown
I am at a loss why my photos didn’t come through.
That morning, we went to a coffee shop called Lamp House Coffee. A really special coffee shop that has its roots in coal mining and restoring the community that was once owned by the coal mining corporation. The town has early 20th century architecture, and is a community that feels like it’s been left behind - socio economic despair. However, around the area are glimpses of hope. This coffee shop included in that.
We split ways as I went to the KY-40 to take a needless photo (should have read the rules more closely). We met at Miguel’s Pizza near Natural Bridge. This was the only disappointment on the trip for me - I wanted to spend time exploring the Red River Gorge area with them, an important part of my college days at Asbury College. We didn’t have time or I didn’t prioritize it - I’m not sure.
At Miguel’s Pizza, we rejoined each other, I purchased a water bottle for my son, and we made a promise - a LOT (24 hours) of burpees if he ever loses that water bottle. I won’t be around to hold him accountable to that (maybe), but the internet will!
From there - my college town, Wilmore, KY. After finding a place for dinner at the Mexican restaurant, we took old school backroads to my son’s first home. A special moment for me. Then off to Highbridge, KY and then to our Airbnb for a few days. Sitting on the porch, reflecting on 20+ years did the soul good. Where we had been, where we had come, and were we were headed - in that moment, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the life lived, my children, and the grand adventures.
