A Ride to Ownesboro: A City on the Right Path

We have lived here in Tennessee since 1991 and have always heard good things about Owensboro, Kentucky.  We saw that there was an Airshow on the Ohio River there, so we decided to do an overnight motorcycle trip.  It's part of my plan of trying to see and understand more of the diverse State of Kentucky.

I have always been fascinated with the cities and towns on the Ohio River.  Which is considered the unofficial border between North and South.  Part of the so-called Mason Dixon line which originates in Pennsylvania. The cultural divide is most evident in the way people talk, their accents.  The southern twang largely disappears when crossing the Ohio River.

Kentucky is unique in the fact that it lacks a single cultural identity.  It tends to draw its culture from its border states.   Which is part of the reason it was divided during the civil war.  It was neither purely Yankee or Confederate.

We leave on a warm fall day traveling on US Highway 79 through Russville Kentucky, which was the Confederate capital of Kentucky during the civil war.  There we join Highway 431 for a great ride through the western hills of Kentucky.  With lots of turns and fall scenery, the 107miles rolls under our wheels with hardly a notice.

We arrive in Owensboro with the sites and sounds of airplanes in the air.  It was great riding through the streets with those planes overhead.  We get to our hotel which is right on the river and finish watching the air show on the rear patio bar.  Later in the evening, we take a walk through downtown Owensboro.

The downtown seems to be alive with new shops and restaurants.   It reminds me of downtown Nashville in the early 90's it seems to be full of energy.  We decided to have dinner at the Famous Bistro.  It was a great dinner of upscale Greek food.  It was crowded this evening so we were offered seats at a counter overlooking the kitchen.   I had the stuffed veal parmesan, the best I have ever had.

Sitting at the counter was good chance to talk to some of the staff and hear how Owensboro was really starting to move forward.  We were told about the magnificent river walk which we took a stroll on after dinner. The Riverwalk was one of the best I have ever seen with an enormous playground.  It actually looked like something you would find in Europe  It was nice to see families and couples enjoying the cool fall evening along the river.

The next morning we are ready for our return trip back to Clarksville.  It was good to return home with a better understanding of Owensboro and the State of Kentucky.