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I reached the mounds in time for the sunset but it was invisible. I
consoled myself with catfish delivered by a carhop.
This trip simmered for a month then jelled in an instant. The first input
was a desire to find something related to the solstice besides sunrise at
Fort Ancient. Another input came while I was putting my Thanksgiving plans
together. At some point, I searched for historic Kentucky Hotels and the
1923 Brown Hotel in Louisville naturally came up on the list. It's fairly
pricey and had nothing spectacular going on for Thanksgiving so I did not
really consider it for that occasion. I was well aware of the Brown Hotel
and the search results refreshed any thoughts I had about staying there.
More importantly, it made the internet aware that I was aware. I began
seeing ads for the hotel. A Black Friday Special ad appeared over
Thanksgiving. 30% off room rates and free parking. As attractive as the
discounted rooms were, it was probably the free parking that really sealed
the deal for me. The $30 parking fee -- $35 for valet -- had definitely
been off putting. Other ideas had been, as I said, simmering so, with
that, the 2024 Christmas Escape Run agenda quickly fell into place.
This year's Winter Solstice occurs at 4:21 EST December 21 and I plan to
watch the sun set over Wickliffe Mounds in Kentucky a few hours ahead of
that. I don't believe these mounds have any connection with solar or lunar
events but the park recognizes the solstice and I could be wrong about the
solar connection. I will spend a couple of nights in a historic guest
house in nearby Paducah then head east to spend a couple nights in a
historic hotel in Lexington. That takes me up to Christmas Eve which will
be spent, along with Christmas Day, at the Brown Hotel in Louisville.
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