Road Trip to Louisville

I love taking one day road trips. So does Sara. And so we hit the road last Sunday with Bill and Ronee Power...destination Louisville, KY. The reason...a punk rock show. Ronee really wanted to see The Ataris and also on the tour was our friend Louis Defabrizio of Gasoline Heart performing solo. I wouldn't drive 3 hours for any 'ol small show in a punk rock club but a day trip with friends to see friends was more than enough reason.

Along the way we stopped at the Zappos Fulfillment Center/Outlet. I only wish it had been a weekday so we could have taken the tour. This company cares about their employee's working environment. A putting green was centered in their outside picnic table break area. And after a few conversations with the staff I heard about the Wii, Guitar Hero, karaoke machine, and computers for gaming in the inside break area. I follow the CEO Tony Hsieh on Twitter but I really need to read his book.

The next stop was Lynn's Paradise Cafe for a late brunch.

It had been 5 years since my last visit and the interior was just as fun and quirky as I remembered.

It was perfect for all the iPhone camera apps and all 4 of us were taking pictures constantly.

The 21c Museum Hotel was next. Sara had been before and we were really glad she took us here. I don't want to spoil it, but if you're a guy, be sure to check out the men's bathroom. Not sure I can describe this hotel with a museum the best so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

We grabbed a drink at their bar, Proof on Main, and then headed for Bardstown Road to hit up the mighty Ear X-Tacy and a few other shops. I randomly came across Cumberland Brewery and walked in for a a couple pints. The rest of the group soon followed for some pre-show food. I wasn't expecting much from the food but I was extremely surprised and satisfied. I can't wait to go back. We left Bardstown after grabbing some coffee at Highland. It wasn't till later I found out that a friend of my late friend Aaron Marrs owns his own coffee shop called Quills Coffee. Had I known, it would have been there where I got my java fix. Even their logo honors Aaron. So yet another reason to go back.

The show was cool. It was great to see Louis and catch up. He's one of my favorite songwriters and I count it a privilege that I got to A&R his debut album. Not to mention I got to see so many friends of my late friend and co-worker Aaron Marrs at the show. Nathan Quillo, Lachlan Coffey, Bryan Todd, and Josh Inzer. The latter 2 were in Aaron's band Forever Texas and Bryan is now playing in a band called Frontiers fronted by Chris of Elliott fame. I hadn't seen those guys in 5 years and it really closed out the trip on an even higher note.

I love hanging with Bill & Ronee and for many reasons. One reason that surfaced on the trip was that they are one of few friends that we can spend time with that don't have kids. And it's not that I don't like kids. I love my friends kids. It's just that many of our friends that do have kids mostly end up hanging out with others that have kids. And I get it. It's easier to hang with those people because the kids can play together. So I feel lucky to have the Powers as friends. We had left Nashville at 9:15am on Sunday and returned at 2:30am on Monday. In all it was simply a great road trip was great friends.

Who wants to be next?