...anyway, it turns out that since Kentucky is the home of America's finest bourbon whiskey distilleries large and small, the drink of choice at the Derby is the Mint Julep. If that makes your head spin just thinking about it, just wait.

When we arrived at Louisville airport schlepping our big round boxes, we headed on down toward baggage claim through an environment that had been decorated to the hilt. There were teen-age girls in wide hoop skirts handing out chocolates filled with (you guessed it) Bourbon, and bluegrass music playing as a friendly cart stopped and offered to give us a lift the rest of the way. Painted portraits of past Derby winners graced the walls, and the airport shops were festooned with flowers.

When the cart came to the end of the line we dismounted and peered nervously down the hallway. To our surprise there was a tall, uniformed policewoman bearing down on us with a look of determination. We wondered quickly what we could have done wrong. We needn't have worried, it was Marianne, our own, personal security person provided by our hosts. Her job was to guard us 24/7, to be on call should we need anything, to drive us around, get us into places smoothly, to keep any odd ones at a distance and generally take care of us. Marianne tuned out to be our angel.

Going to the Derby or someplace like Mardi Gras is obviously alot different than being on a Heart Tour where everything is the way we like it, and the people around are respectful. No, all people aren't as cool as our Heartmongers. It was amazing to me how just the sight of Marianne, her uniform, her height, her no-nonsense air could clear us a good path through a crowded hotel lobby. People just didn't mess with her at all. She made getting around in the packed little city much much easier.

The first night, we got our beauty sleep, set out hats and gowns and shoes for the next two days of races and parties. We researched the horses as best we could, hoping to make some intelligent bets if possible...but that's another story. After a nice glass of wine and a little recap of the first day, we went to our respective rooms and laid down our heads.

To Be Continued......

Ann

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