This past weekend I took a short trip down south to my mom's hometown Danville, Kentucky. While we don't get the chance to visit family down there very often, it is always a treat to venture down to "my old Kentucky home." To most people, Danville, KY sounds like nothing special as it is overshadowed by the famous Louisville (which no northern person has ever pronounced right). But in reality, Kentucky is such a beautiful place to visit with lots to do, see, and eat! Danville will always have a special place in my heart because it is a college town that I have come to know so well, as I have basically grown up there scootering on my Razor scooter all over town. This post highlights some of my favorite things about the south that you just can't experience here in the midwest! Y'all ready?
1. The accent
I will just go ahead and state the obvious here: people in the south have southern accents. Sometimes I will make my cousins say words over again just because it sounds so different from how I say it. For example, words like wheel, William, oil, tortilla, and vehicle are a complete 180 from how northerners say it. I have been told that my mom has an accent, but growing up around her, I can't hear it at all! My cousins tell me how my accent sounds funny, but in my mind, they are the ones with the accent. Usually by the end of the week, it is inevitable that I let a couple y'alls slip out. The y'alls are contagious. We have had multiple debates about who has an accent, and yet to have a final decision. One of my favorite things about the accent ordeal, is that southerners will not let you go anywhere without letting out a "you betcha,""Minnesooooota," saying something about how cold it is, and of course, asking if Minnesota really is like the movie Fargo.
2. Weather
I love the warm summer weather of MN so I can lay out in the sun for hours. High 80s are ideal for me. Now, high 80s in Kentucky is a drastic difference because they've got the lovely humidity. Humidity is the trigger to when I turn into a whiny girl about being too hot, and not wanting to mess up my makeup. For those that have not experienced this kind of weather, imagine stepping outside and instantly feeling sticky. It is inescapable, so don't even bother thinking about laying out in the sun for hours unless you want the sauna effect. I made the mistake this past weekend of thinking it was a great day to go for a walk to the college in town. I got halfway and realized the wrong decision I had made, and dreaded walking the other half of the way back as sweat was already dripping down my back, face, legs..you get the idea. Of course, those who live in the south have become accustomed to this, so this is another way they make fun of us northern folk. On the flip side, I always make sure to make fun of my cousins for when their school cancels class for 2 inches of snow.
3. Kentucky nice is nicer
We all know that we are Minnesota Nice, but we also all know that it is just a kind of polite passive-aggressiveness. When you get to Kentucky, everyone is genuinely nice! Kentuckians will let you merge into the next lane with a wave rather than a middle finger, say hi to strangers or smile at them when passing on the street, and I am pretty sure that everyone knows everyone! When stepping onto KY grounds, the difference can be instantly felt, the state itself just has always felt like rainbows and unicorns to me. Kentuckians give lots of compliments, and it is perfectly normal for an older man to comment about how pretty me or my cousin is, but may be a tad bit creepy in MN. While there may be a lot of scary looking pickup trucks, there is never any road rage, passive aggressiveness, or stealing parking spots at the Walmart.
4. The food
Southern cooking is VERY real, and alive. The closest thing to southern cooking that we have up north is the Cracker Barrel, but still, it does not do southern cuisine justice. My Gram is one of the best cooks that I know. Whenever we visit, she will make the family what we call "Big Breakfast." This includes bacon, scrambled eggs, homemade biscuits, homemade jam, sausage, homemade gravy, pancakes, and sweet treats from the local bakery. Of course, visiting this time was a bit challenging with my food allergies. I am pretty sure the eggs and biscuits were laughing at me as I had a longing stare/daydream of stuffing them all in my mouth. There are some foods that aren't common up north such as Pimento cheese, and grits (the grits can stay down south, that stuff is nasty). But if there is one thing that I am pretty sure every person would consume in large amounts if it was in MN, it is Kentucky's famous BBQ sauce. For anyone reading this that has received this as a party gift, thank you gift, or had it at a Casey grad party, I do not need to explain. For those of you who have not, we bring this stuff home by the cases and buy out the Kroger because we have so many MN friends requesting it. To sum it up, southern food may not be all that pretty (those of you who don't like foods to touch would be screwed), but it sure does taste better than most of the meals we have here. I am convinced their Papa Johns pizza even tastes better. For the record, they do have KFC there, but no, they do not eat it every single day. (Lee's chicken is much better.)
5. Burke's Bakery
This is the local family-owned bakery in the quaint town of Danville. It is better than Krispy Kreme. Yes, this is a bold statement and those who have not had Burke's may disagree with me, BUT, I know a good donut, and it wins by a landslide. Ever since I can remember, Gram would get me my favorite donut holes, Christopher his cinnamon donuts, my dad his fruit chew cookies, and my mom her raspberry "flat things" (kinda like a danish.) It is hard to have a favorite when all of their blueberry donuts, gingerbread men, coconut donuts, cream horns, chocolate donuts, spice bars, persian rolls, pecan ring, flaky butter dinner rolls, chocolate chip cookies, bear claws, cakes, coffee cakes, mini pies, pecan cookies, orange cream cakes, and just the average glazed donut are all so stinking good. Between the southern cooking, and this bakery, it is inevitable for over indulging but it is so worth it. One can not simply just have one!
6. Scenery
When you get out of the cities of MN, you really feel like you are in the middle of no where with the strong stench of cow pies and no cows to be seen. But when you get out of the cities of KY, their middle of no where is actually somewhere, and the cow pie smell is more bearable since there are visible cows to attach the smell to! The "middle of no where" in KY is rolling hills of horse farms, and some giant, elegant farms that are so beautiful to look at. When I compare these fields to the fields of St. Peter, MN, I can't help but laugh because they do not compare. Everything is so well kept, and it is obvious that agriculture really is their culture. My favorite barn to drive by on the 13 hour drive is the big blue barn with the giant "GO BIG BLUE!" sign on it. There doesn't even need to be a sign to say that I have just entered KY because it is obvious. For those who have had gotten the privilege of seeing the horse tracks such as Keeneland or Churchill Downs, there is nothing more well kept, or breathtaking. There is so much pride in that state for all their natural lands, it is inspiring, and makes for a tranquil change of pace from the suburbs here. Can't forget the largest bat at Louisville Slugger, too!
7. Sports
Now, I've gone on and on about the rolling hills and agriculture of the Bluegrass State, but man, Kentuckians are big sports fans. KY basketball fans can be intense, especially when playing Louisville, but KY Nice still stands as KY fans will root for Louisville if UK is not playing at the time. When KY lost in the championships years back, my mom was depressed for a whole day, and not one to be messed with. KY fans really do bleed blue. If you ever go to KY and say that you are a Kansas fan, you bet your hotdish that you will be shunned. I have always been proud to say that I am a true KY fan, and not just hopping on the bandwagon. It is odd to visit a state where hockey isn't as big, and gymnastics isn't really a thing, but the energy I feel from basketball and football is really something else.
8. Counties
One of the things you will notice when spending time there, is that Kentuckians refer to places by county, not by city. Their high schools are named by county, and cities are rarely ever used. It has gotten to the point that I forget that Boyle County is actually the current city I am in at the time. Imagine calling every place here by county! That would get pretty challenging when naming Eastview High School and Apple Valley High School. Everyone there seems to know all the counties in the state/surrounding area, but if you asked me what the surrounding counties are to Dakota county? No chance. I think I know 3...that counts for something, right?
9. Clothing
When I heard that most people in KY didn't know what Lululemon was, I thought it was a joke. I honestly never really thought about the difference in the things we wore until recently. First off, everything is monogrammed. If it doesn't have your initials on it, it might as well not be yours. Their boots, cars, suitcases, towels, vests, shirts, converse, socks, you name it; all monogrammed! I believe there are two senses of style in KY. Yes, there is the stereotypical camo, cowboy boots and ripped jeans, but then there's also the preppy brands such as Lily Pullitzer, the fancy derby hats, and Vineyard Vines. I'm pretty sure that there are 10 times more bows, bright colors, and polka dots than there is here. I've come to notice that most of the trends that we get up north start in the south (I'd like to think that I start them). And lastly, those who can tell me what anything seersucker is, I will be impressed! For real though, I'm still shocked about Lulu.
10. Danville
I have mentioned Danville so much in this post, but I have not gone into detail about why it is so special. As I said, it is the college town of Centre College. Centre is a D3 private school filled with some of the brightest students in the country, and the colors are also black and gold. If it weren't for the distance, I would most likely be a Centre student. Centre has hosted a vice presidential debate, as well as is the home to the annual Brass Band Festival where bands from all over the world come to perform. They are good at sports, and well known by scholars. It is a beautiful campus that I enjoy running around the track when I go there (I run close to the student center because the food smells so good too). It is the perfect college town because it really has it all. Constitution Square where tons of history lies, Burke's, Baskin Robbins, a movie theater, Fazoli's (!!!), Orange Leaf Fro-Y0, Guadalajara, Finley's Roller Blading Rink, and the best of all, my Gram's house a three minute walk away from campus.
If you are ever looking to go on a road trip, consider Kentucky! There really is so much to do, and their winters are a lot better than ours! I have had so many memories created there, both good and bad, memories that I will be able to share for as long as I live. For those who have had the privilege to stop into KY know why I think it is so spectacular. There definitely are parts of the whole southern stereotype ideal that are true, but that is what makes it such a friendly southern state. In no way am I saying that the north us better than the south or the south is better than the north; they are both different in their own ways. There are definitely aspects about both that I like and don't like. Would I ever move there? Never (sorry, Mom). I am a true Minnesota girl at heart and always will be.
Have a fantastic rest of the week, folks, y'all, partners, darlins, pumpkins, and all other pet names you betcha they say down there!
~Lauren