Anyone that reads my blog knows that I love my hometown. Despite all the negativity that seems to always cloud the good parts, Hazard really is pretty special. When I was at EKU, I would bring in my friends from other areas, and they couldn't believe this place. Most of them loved it, and would talk about it years after their visits. I guess to really appreciate it, you have to experience it for yourself. For anyone that reads this, that isn't from our area, here is a list of 10 things you MUST do if you ever visit Hazard.
1: Go see the Mother Goose. My poor roommate Jaimee was from the Cincinnati area, and had never really been to Eastern Kentucky. Apart from being completely baffled by the copious amounts of kud zu we have, she couldn't believe we had a building in town that was in the shape of a green, over sized goose. To me, it is just something that I have grown up with, and am used to, but honestly, if you have never saw anything like it, I guess it would startle the crap out of you.
2: Drive up to the La Citadel. Now, I may be biased, because I live close to here, on Sun Valley, but that mountain is absolutely beautiful. La Citadel, in it's hay day was a swinging place. I have heard many party stories about the glory days. The old hotel overlooks the entire city, and miles of beautiful mountains. It is sad to see all the history, and the place run down, but just trust me, it is worth the drive, although you may get a little car sick. It's very windy and very high up!
3: Go on Saturday and get chicken and dumplings with okra and macaroni and tomato from Circle T. No explanation needed here. You will thank me. That diner is the epitome of small town sweetness. Friendly people, family owned, everyone you know in there, playing Keno and drinking coffee. I love it.
4: Go across the road to France's Diner and get a peanut butter milkshake. Heaven in a cup. Your brain might cave in because it is so thick, but it is SO delicious. They used to deliver them to us when I was a Perry Central. Perfection.
5: Have a beer at the Broken Spoke. It has been on main street forever. The lounge has a fabled history of bar brawls, and Bo and Luke Duke-esque antics, but they have live music and karaoke and it's a good time. Plus, it seems like everyone's rowdy friends have settled down. So,Why not? Plus, Mr. Haley is a really sweet man, (the owner) and it's nice to sit down and have a conversation with him and his wife.
6: Grab lunch at the Tree house Cafe. Such a cute little place on main street, and their turkey, bacon ranch club is to die for! They usually have live bands and poetry readings on some evenings. Really neat.
7: Browse Bobby Davis Park and Museum. This place is beautiful. I have had all of my family pictures done there, in fact the ones on my blog are taken in this location. Old stone stairways, rows of ivy, shade trees. It's just lovely. Check it out, and the museum has some great artifacts and tid bits about our heritage.
8: Go fishing on the dock behind City Hall. My two year old loves this. It is beautiful back there, and so peaceful.
9:If you are a music person, stop in Taulbee's on high street. It is like stepping back in time. He sells instruments, strings, sheet music, but the best part is that every time you go in, there is always someone there having a jam session. He even has an old school, pull-lever cash register. I love that.
10: Sit on the steps by the court house and people watch. You want to talk about diversity. You can see a millionaire drive by in an expensive car and speak to someone who is struggling and doesn't have anything. Hazard has them all. Always interesting, and guaranteed to give you a laugh, or make you appreciate what you do have. Either way, I bet you will make at least one friend.
If you ever pass through, remember us, and the unique-ness that is Hazard.
For more information Contact Hazard-Perry County Tourism:
http://www.hazardperrytourism.com/
Photo Credits On This Blog:
www.wsgs.com
http://www.smoothphoto.com/ (Photos By Robert K. Hall)
Edit: After going about my day, I remembered another pivotal place in Hazard that everyone knows, loves and goes to, and I honestly cannot believe I forgot about it. The Pantry Shelf in Hazard. It is a MUST to stop by and grab a dozen doughnuts. They are the absolute best around. My friend, Jarron, who is also a part of Hazard's rotary club was kind enough to tell me about a program going on right now where The Pantry Shelf will donate a dollar to The Rotary Club's fund for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, per every dozen doughnuts sold, (whether you buy one of a dozen it all adds up) which benefits children in our community. If you sign your children up, they get a free book a month until they are five. Every child in the home gets a book. This runs through October, and every dollar made will be matched by Run For The Hills. This has been going on since August. There are pamphlets available in the store for more information. They are trying to get enough funding to do this county wide, not just in the city. This is so great, I know and understand how vital reading to your children is to cultivate an early love of learning. Susan Brotherton, the owner, has already advised me to sign my children up, because it is such a great program! Great to see local business owners giving back! Now, go buy some doughnuts!!
Labels: HazardKy, ShopLocal
