Freedom Tour -- Day 13

I didn't write a blog post yesterday about what I did the day before because here's what I did the day before: absolutely nothing.

When I arrived in Frankfort, Kentucky, on Friday, I had been driving and sightseeing for long hours every day for 12 days. When I felt fatigue, which still lingers as a result of cancer treatments, I ignored it and pushed through it. (I know...stupid, right?)

So when I woke up on Saturday morning, I hit a proverbial wall and couldn't function, couldn't get out of bed, couldn't stay awake. It was pretty scary, actually. But it was a lesson learned. I booked three more nights in Frankfort to allow my body to crash and recuperate, and I drank a lot of water.

I spent all day and all night Saturday in bed and went out for just a couple of hours yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. I got my second wind today and had a grand adventure (you'll read about that mañana!) and tomorrow I'm moving on. I'll pace myself more thoughtfully, I promise.

But back to yesterday's very short adventure:

First of all, it was 95 degrees with 76 percent humidity -- a real summer Southern day.

I drove to the state capitol building, parked and took a short walk. It was short because the heat and humidity were overtaking me rapidly. The stately building was designed by Frank Mills Andrews. 

Behind the capitol and across the street I found a wonderful public art installation called the Kentucky Floral Clock. It's a huge working clock that keeps time over a pool of water. It measures 34 feet across, the hands of the clock weigh a quarter of a ton apiece and the gigantic planter itself, with 10,000 plants and flowers, weighs 91 tons. The floral design is changed four times a year. "Kentucky" is spelled out beginning at 8:00 and ending at 4:00. Apparently time never stands still around the capitol! 

Frankfort's public art program features a cell phone tour that I think is a grand idea. You simply dial the phone number on your smart phone or scan the QR code, then press the number of the public art stop (this was number 13) at each stop to learn all about each public art installation on the tour. I wish we had such technology in Pasadena.

I would have gone on a more extensive public art adventure yesterday with my smart phone but I was too hot and sweaty and tuckered out.

I went around another corner, this time in my air-conditioned car, and found the stately governor's mansion that was designed by C.C. and E.A. Weber. The current governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is Matt Bevin. I snapped this photo through the front passenger window and went straight back to my hotel.

Final thoughts about yesterday:

Although Frankfort is the state capital, the population is only 25,000. Neighborhoods are very pretty and the downtown area is historic and lovely. Frankfort is nestled in woodsy, hilly terrain that is lush and gorgeous. It is also the county seat of Franklin County.

Yesterday was a Sunday and just about everything was closed. The primary exceptions were churches and gas stations. It's a Southern thing. 

I promise to pace myself better from now on. I think every four days or so, as a matter of course, I'll spend one additional night wherever I am so I don't have the frightening, extreme fatigue experience again.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post that will highlight what I did today (it was marvelous!).

I'm loving my Freedom Tour!

Aerial photo of Frankfort courtesy of History.com