#54 - Ziplining

My wonderful husband took me for adventure to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. One part of the day we spent riding ziplines through caves in Louisville, KY.  Not only was it my first time on a zipline, the Mega Cavern in Louisville is the only all underground zipline adventure.

Due to the nature of ziplining, I didn't get any pictures of me in action. It was a lot of fun though we didn't go down the line as fast as I thought we would. I curled up into a little ball trying to go faster but it didn't work too well really. lol Ziplines are angled down then back up a slightly so that they slow you down a little at the end of the line (to keep you from crashing into the wall or the guide who is at the end of the line to help catch you). The video above is one of the Mega Cavern's promotional video.


Here are some cool facts about the Mega Cavern:

The Louisville Mega Cavern was an operational limestone mine from 1930s to 1970s.

The cavern has over 17 miles of passageways that run underneath Louisville, KY.

The Mega Cavern is classified by the State of Kentucky as a building which makes it the largest building in the state.

The Mega Cavern houses a recycling center. This recycling center is the largest in Kentucky. In fact, it houses more recycling tonnage than all the other recycling centers in Kentucky combined!!

Most of the lights in the Mega Cavern are motion sensor activated to conserve power.

#53 - Limestone and Bourbon

Best of Kentucky Bourbon Print by designedbydallas on Etsy, $40

Whether you drink bourbon (or alcohol at all, for that matter), check this out... It's an interesting little fact of Kentucky culture. :)

Yesterday during our zipline tour in Louisville (I'll be blogging about that also), our guide told us about the importance of limestone in the bourbon industry.

95% of the world's bourbon is made in Kentucky!

Kentucky Bourbon Art Print by MCRomagueraArt, $39

Why is Kentucky the home of bourbon?

In one word, limestone!

One of the things I noticed when I moved to Kentucky was the build up of this white mineral deposit on the filter of my aquarium and in my fountain. I later learned it was calcium deposits because the water here in much of Kentucky runs through limestone which filters out a lot of minerals (such as iron) and adds calcium and magnesium. Water low in iron and high in calcium and calcium is good for the fermentation process of alcohol and for the flavor of whiskey.

Bourbon is a type of whiskey. Not all whiskey is bourbon. In order for whiskey to be called bourbon:

1) It must be made in the United States.

2) It must be made from a grain recipe which is at least 51%  but no more than 79% corn.

3) The whiskey must be aged for at least 2 years in new oak barrels that are charred inside. Most bourbon is aged 4 years or longer.

4) It must be distilled to no more than 160 proof.

5) Nothing can be added to enhance color, sweetness, or flavor.





Another random, yet related fact:

Bourbon Soap/Lotion Dispense by EstepWoodWorkandSuch on Etsy, $10

This past month, Maker's Mark announced their plans to cut the alcohol content of their bourbon from 45% to 42%. It takes a long time to age bourbon and Maker's Mark was hoping to increase their supply of bourbon by decreasing the alcohol content slightly. Let's just say that didn't go over so well. Last week, due to the backlash from customers, Maker's Mark announced they won't be watering down their bourbon after all. You can read more about it here.

#28 - New Coffee Shop: Third Street Stuff

Today we held our weekly knitting gathering at a coffee shop I hadn't had the pleasure of visiting.

Third Street on N Limestone is so unique and awesome. The atmosphere is very different than the other coffee shops in town. My coffee and bagel were delicious! (forgot to photograph them though).


I love the art from the outside to the inside! It's everywhere! Check out some of the art on the outside wall of the building! This type of art is all through the coffee shop and handmade items are sold there too!

Here's the lovely group I knitted with. :) That's me in the white scarf knitting away. :)

Sarah and Sara knitting away!

Jenn and Grace

Matt and Becca

   

Ali learning to knit. :)

Sara and her awesomely completed fingerless gloves!

Amanda :) 

She was the photographer today so no pictures of here today so I stole one from her facebook page so she wouldn't be left out. :)