The state of Kentucky, for most people who don't live anywhere near the southern part of the United States, probably unknown for most. Usually you have heard of Kentucky if you are a fan of bourbon or house racing. Other than those two things there really isn't much that makes Kentucky stand out as a state, in fact most people probably wouldn't want to live here. When I was little I had thought that too, but overtime this landlocked state has come to grow on me.
When my family and I first moved here from Wisconsin, we didn't know really what to think. The original plan was that my dad would be transferred to another state, preferably up east where my mom and dad are from. My first opinion of when I moved to Louisville was that the state was big on waterparks because that was on the cover of a a Kentucky travel magazine. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I soon learned that there was only one waterpark and it was significantly hotter than Wisconsin. Not only that but my days were spent looking for houses for hours on end. Social life was difficult as well. My brother and I, despite going to a school that was in our neighborhood, didn't really have many friends because our house was still being built, plus we had to drive pretty far to go eat anywhere.
These, however, were only early thoughts/ problems. I soon came to appreciate Kentucky for what it does have. For staters, we're really good at college basketball and soon I came to appreciate the UK/ UofL rivalry as well. A lot of the state might not have a lot of towns or cities, but what it doesn't have it makes up for in natural beauty. Kentucky also has some of the most beautiful hills and land that I have ever seen. My 7th grade trip to Pine Mountain taught me that there is a lot to appreciate about eastern Kentucky from it's tall hills to it's towering Hemlock trees. It also taught me how to identify leaves and bird calls for a test, but that is for another time.
Kentucky also has some of the best food ever. I might be biased because I live in Louisville, but I also go to school in central Kentucky as well. First, Louisville is known for their local restaurants that only use food products from local farms. A lot of the food culture here is about community, and I can say that is goes the same way for the rest of the state. A restaurant in Stanford, Kentucky, called Bluebird, only uses food from a local farm. As a result it has some of the best breakfast, lunch and dinner items that I have ever eaten.
For those that have never lived in Kentucky, it will grow on you. There is a lot to appreciate about living here.
