As we are now almost out of the official summer season in North America, and the temperatures begin to moderate from their summer highs, it is time to recap my travels throughout Kentucky in search of more Tour of Honor sites. If you have been following along with me, you will remember that this year’s event began on April the 1st and will continue until October the 31st. At that time all sites that have been collected by the participants will be totaled up and those that have reached the minimum number needed, will be granted Finisher status. No big deal and certainly no monetary prizes, but still a simple sense of accomplishment. A certificate and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee at Micky D’s but not much more. The whole idea is to honor veterans and 1st responders anyway. Not to stroke one’s ego.
During those brief periods this summer when the sun wasn’t beating down to the tune of 90+ degree days I’ve continued on my quest to capture as many sites here in Kentucky as I can. After capturing all of the sites in Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area, I started on sites that were much further away. My 1st such venture out on this quest was to head south into central Kentucky and then east towards the West Virginia border.
Cynthiana
Paris
Elizaville
This one was a little different than all the rest. This is the Grave site of PFC Franklin R Sousley. He was one of the flag raisers on Iwo Jima in WWII.
Morehead
Grayson
Ashland/Grayson
After getting this last site in Ashland, I jumped on what we call the AA-Highway and made it back home in a couple of hours. By then the temps were reaching into the lower 90’s and it was late afternoon. The sun was still high in the sky and I had a little over 100 miles to go.
My next leg, a few weeks later, would take me down into central and south-central Kentucky, around the Lexington area and southward, before running up to the central-west area and the state capital of Frankfort. I found some really great little backroads along the way. No traffic, great pavement, and Twisty! Just the way we like them.
Winchester
Lexington
Nelsonville
Danville
Liberty
Lebanon
Springfield
Lawrenceburg
Frankfort
Shelbyville
At this point I have captured 45 sites between Cincinnati, SE Indiana, and Kentucky. But there is still almost 2 months to go in the challenge and the weather in the Autumn is great for riding. How many more can I get? Let’s find out……