Wednesday, October 08, 2008

My hometown

Tiburon posted today about her hometown, and it made me feel nostalgic for where I grew up. I've actually been thinking a lot about my formative years, since I just hung out this weekend with my BFF from growing up. So, out of nostalgia, this post is dedicated to my hometown:

I was born a poor white girl in Kentucky - (just kidding) - I actually was born in Gary Indiana in the same hospital as Michael Jackson. I was the only white baby though, so I suppose the poor and white part is true ;). But, I actually don't remember much about where I was born, and my family moved around a lot when I was young. I moved to Northern Kentucky when I was 10, and I consider that to be where I grew up. Northern Kentucky is really just a suburb of Cincinnati, but it does have some of its own unique features. It was such a great place to live, and I have some wonderful memories. Here's the top 5 things I remember.




1. Cincinnati Reds - I loved going to Cincinnati Reds games. We would park across the river in Newport, and walk across a bridge right to the stadium - the old stadium (Riverfront) before they had this nice new one. The cheap seats were only $3.50, so we would go numerous times throughout the summer. Good times! The Reds were actually good back then, and even won the world series one year (they swept the A's in 1990, and I can still name every single starter from that team). Although they totally suck now, I still follow them, and hope one day they'll be good again.



2. Kings Island - Kinds Island is the best amusement park ever! Seriously - I'm not biased. They have the best coasters - The Beast (once the longest wooden roller coaster ever), The King Cobra (where you stand up) and many others. Also, the Smurf Cones - blue soft-serve ice cream. I've been to lots of other amusement parks, and nothing else has been as much fun.


3. Natural Bridge State Park - The beauty of Kentucky is difficult to beat, so it wasn't easy for me to come up with my favorite place there. Land Between the Lakes is stunning, as is Cumberland Falls - but my favorite is Natural Bridge State Park. It is a large limestone (?) arch (see, they aren't just in Utah) surrounded by lush folliage.



4. Skyline Chili - many of my friends will be suprised to know this about me (seeing that this is not typically my type of food) but Cincinnati Chili is the food of the gods. It is a chili with an unusual combination of spices (including cinnamon and cocoa) with kidney beans served over spaghetti noodles - and piled high with cheese. YUM! I know it sounds disgusting, but it is so freakin' amazing. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it. I've tried to replicate it myself - which I've done fairly well, but nothing compares to fresh Skyline straight from the source.


5. My amazing friends - which I don't have a picture for. I was so lucky to have some of the best friends, both at school and at my church youth group. There aren't a lot of LDS kids in that part of the country, and we really had to stick together. I remember how much fun it was playing mud football in the McBride's yard on snowdays (because the snow never lasted) and playing spin the bottle just so I could kiss some boys. We also took some of the most fun youth trips to Nauvoo, New York, and DC. Some of my best memories come straight from those trips (like the time Sister Hardy's luggage opened up on the top of the van, and her underware flew out over the freeway. Or the time she got us lost in ChinaTown, and some scummy guy tried to sell me "14 carrat gold") - Good times.


I could go on and on, but I'd only bore my readers. I did have a great childhood though. NK is the best EVER! Although my parents moved to the Ohio side while I was in High School, I still consider Kentucky my hometown.


**What is up with the spacing??**

13 comments:

tiburon said...

Wowsa! Who would have thought Kentucky could be so cool! Now I realllllly want to go there :)

There is nothing funnier than flying underwear.

Thanks for playing along!

Anne Marie said...

That chili actually sounds really good! I've never heard of it before. It was fun learning more about you and your hometown! Maybe I'll have to dedicate a post to good old Burley, Idaho one of these days.

Me said...

Just yesterday I was thinking about my next trip to Cincy for and thought that I would go to Mainstrasse Village. I actually never went there all the years I lived there. Do you know if there is anything fun to do there or does it just have the fun German clocktower? I'll also have to explore some of the natural wonders of Kentucky sometime. I really only went to the Buttermilk Pike Stake Center, the airport, Kentucky Horse Park, and family and friend's homes. Looks like I missed out on some things. Viva Greater Cincinnati, or now the Cincinnati-Dayton Megalopolis

Lynita said...

There's no place like home! I love the flying underwear story! I still haven't been to Chinatown yet, but my friend plans on fixing that after this baby comes. I love NY but I will always have a special place in my heart for California.

Anonymous said...

De-lurking again to let you know you can order your beloved Skyline at http://thebestofcincinnati.com/gallery.php

-Leighann

carrie said...

What a fun post!! I was dying over your picture of skyline chili. That is THE best. I drove thru Ohio once and we ate in Cinn, and I loved the stuff. Everytime they show it when they have a NFL game on TV (you know how they do the halftime thing??) I drool. YUM :o) I think it's so cool you grew up going to baseball games. I did, too. I thought it was so much fun. I loved hearing (from Brian) about you being such a good friend of his sister. What a small world, huh?? Brian is a GREAT guy. I snooped on his sister's blog from your link...and I love those pictures, too. Anyway, sorry for the long and rambling comment....but I just thought this was fun to read. Let's plan a night for next weekend. Have a great weekend and a FABULOUS BIRTHDAY on Sunday!! :o)

Corrie- said...

Hey, if you e-mail me your address, I'll send some skyline your way!

Ruhiyyih Rose said...

What a fun post! I learned a lot about Kentucky that is for sure :) That chili looks amazing...I am starving...I need my second, er, third breakfast soon. :) (ahhh the life of a runner, huh?)

Omgirl said...

LOVE King's Island. It was a 3 1/2 or 4 hour drive for us, but I went two or three times as a kid. It was a really great amuzement park. Thanks for sharing!

Oceanchild said...

I loved reading more about your hometown and where you grew up. I don't think Rexburg is that exciting of a place, but it is always fun to remember home. THat chili looks pretty amazing, but I love the pic of the natural bridge. Just makes me realize I don't know much about many of the states very well.

Notme said...

That's really awesome! I had no idea that you were not originally from Utah. I wonder if I should post about West Valley..lol

Anonymous said...

I agree -- King's Island ROCKS!! I grew up in central Ohio, so had the opportunity to go to King's Island many times, including Senior Skip Day in high school.

THE best coasters -- and also the "kiddie land" there was great -- remember the Scooby-Doo Rollercoaster? A mini wooden coaster that was just for little kids -- they changed the name to The Beastie later on.

Ahhh, memories. I may have to take a road trip to King's Island next summer. :)

Christi said...

I was born in NK and lived in Cincinnati near KI growing up. Oh I loved the area. I worked at KI but was in NK a ton visiting my grandma. What part of Cincinnati did your parents move to? I forget where you live now. I live in Central OH.
BabyLove (TLOL) Christi