Day 2, Part 2 - Deeper South

Our travelers continue along I-24 to Paducah, KY for lunch at Backwoods BBQ. Known for their smoked chicken and pork. Let’s just say, we are definitely in the South. We got excited seeing a “Sonic,” until we saw another one a few more miles up the road. Sonic Drive-Ins are to the South what McDonalds are to the North. Luckies….“Hey y’all…go ‘head an’ sit wherever y'all want.” You know you’re in the South when cheesy hash browns are served as a side, and pecan and custard pie is on display under glass dishes, on the counter. David and Sudie, the owners of Backwoods smoked over 44,000 pounds of meat last year. YUM. Sean immediately started salivating. We really enjoyed the sauce---strong tang, definitely southern with a high vinegar component, and some good zing to it. Everyone looked at us when we ordered, knowing we were from the North simply from the absence of Sweet Tea from our table. David kindly offered us a pound of meat should we find ourselves passing through Paducah again on our way home. Is the devil tempting us? (I only bring this up because we are entering the Bible Belt, home of huge churches and 200 foot crosses along the highways, to strike fear into anyone who dares change lanes without using a signal.)


With a left turn in Barlow, KY to continue on 60, Sean states, “Now we’re goin’ South.” Missing the drawl accents and generous hospitality we had been receiving for the past 6 hours. As soon as we made the turn, Sean’s BBQ nose started vibrating (akin to spidey sense) as we approached “Prince Pit BBQ.” See photo. Unfortunately, it ain’t open. DANGIT, because it looked like a shack that would be filled with yummy goodness. IL 60 is taking us to Wickliffe, KY to find some interesting Indian, Native American, First Nationers burial mounds. I hope Sean doesn’t get possessed. “Where’s the Almond Joy?” He had to explain to me what he meant. I didn’t watch as much TV as he did….


We made it to the Wickliffe, KY Indian Mounds State Park, and meet the care taker, Karyn, who also happened to be David Curtis’ younger sister! The site had some interesting observation houses that surround and protect the excavated mounds. Despite the rain, we were able to check out the sites and allow the kids some time to just RUN.

Much needed after the yummy lunch! We spent some time talking to Karyn, who grew up one of 7 kids about 10 miles up the road from the Mounds. She left us with some words of wisdom about Kentucky, ”There’s 2 things Kentuckyians love—Basketball, and BBQ.” I asked, “what about horses?” “Well, we love our horses, but we know what our priorities are!”