A Burgoo of Personalities
Natural Bridge State Park
28 July 2012
If you are unfamiliar with the concept of a burgoo, it is Kentucky’s most famous stew, usually made for
big gatherings (such as Derby Day) in huge kettles. Burgoos typically have at least three different meats,
and plenty of vegetables such as corn, okra, and lima beans.
Our day saw sunny skies and warm temperatures. We breakfasted in Lexington and an hour later we
were transiting the Nada tunnel in Daniel Boone National Forest. Not content to see the panorama
from the top of Skybridge, many took the steep path down to view Red River Gorge from the base of the
bridge. Breathless, figuratively and physically, we saddled up to find a place to picnic in Natural Bridge
State Park. A select few souls extended the day by riding the chair lift to the top of Natural Bridge and
sampled another set of spectacular views. Ken and Terri inaugurated their gorgeous, just completed,
metallic blue Factory Five. Cathy Smith served as Radio Operator in the tenth car and kept the group
leader well informed as we twisted and turned through quiet forest roads. We started with ten and we
ended with ten.
So, you might wonder, where is the Burgoo? We had a picnic after the tour, but that food is not really
the burgoo. This time we blended 20 personalities from two states, added steep mountain trails, a fair
amount of perspiration and willy-nilly picture taking that reminds one of a kindergarten class trip. And
all the people smiled and joked and managed to turn challenges into adventures. In four short hours
we were less individuals and more a group who did Natural Bridge in 2012. The twenty included:
Ken and Terri Reid (first ride)
Diane and Jerry Joyner
Juan and Cindy Lopez-Bonilla
Sam and Monika Jackson
Vince Lubbers and Bea Bland
Terry and Julie Riebel
John and Karen Czarnecki
Dave and Becky Fister
Bill and Rochella Alley
Bill and Cathy (Radio Girl) Smith
Randall Williamson and Stefanie
Presented in no particular order---Because that is the way Burgoo’s are.
