After breakfast we put in Marker’s Make in Loretto. While driving there we saw a sign for Mammoth Cave. Decided to make a detour going to Loretto. The roads were narrow through rural land and nice landscapes. We drove through Stockholm (about 10 houses). Finally we reached the park but still had a few miles to go (10k). Just before the visitor’s center we saw a sign that said “The road ends in water”.
A bit confused we hoped there would be a solution that did not mean we had to turn around. Arriving by the water we saw they had a small ferry and we could cross. Entered the visitor’s Center and were told they had a few tickets for the noon tour – got in line behind one man and when it was our turn we were told she just sold the last tickets. Either we had to wait until 3 pm or skip it.
As we only have a limited time here we decided to skip it and continue to Maker’s Mark instead. Because we had done a detour we ended up going on more small roads. We wanted to stop for some lunch but there was no places, every village had a gas station, a liquor store and a church but no diner.
At least we drove past Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home in Knob’s Creek. He lived there from the age of two (1811-1816) before they moved to Indiana. Today there’s a replica of the old cabin as well as a tavern. Well that one was closed and would open again in spring.
Finally we reached our destination Maker’s Mark and booked a tour. The distillery is situated in a lovely surrounding and has been the same since the current family took over in 1953. But is has been a distillery there since 1805 except for prohibition when it was sold.
The nearby farms have provided them with the grains they need but barley as it’s hard to grow nearby for some reason. We took the tour and was surprised that some parts are still handmade just as the founders did it. The tour ended with tasting and Peter was happy I don’t like bourbon.
We got recommended places to eat in Bardstown by our guide. The first place wasn’t open on Mondays but the second – Old Talbott Tavern was open which was good as I was starving. It’s an old place with characters and the food was nice.
We decided to find a place to stay in Bardstown and continue our tour tomorrow. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
The shutters have the bottle in them 
Marge was the first woman to be in Bourbon Hall of fame 
They still hand dip the bottles 
