15th May - Grand Rivers

 We had breakfast at the cafe at the back of the ship.  Some sort of breakfast sandwich that was delicious.  The weather was lovely and we sat on the deck for a couple of hours until we came into port at Grand Rivers, Kentucky.

Grand Rivers is home rule class society in Livingston County, Kentuck.  382 souls recorded in the 2010 census.  Home rule class means these cities are governed by their own state laws.  This allows them to establish their own governmental stucture and enace local ordinances as long as they do not conflict with state or federal law. The Mayor welcomed us all off the ship which was a lovely gesture.  He has been Mayor for over  28 years and is extremely active in the community.  

Thomas William Lawson (26th February 1857-8th February 1925) was born in Charlestown, Suffolk Cunty, Massechusetts.  He ran away from home at the age of 12 to become a clerk in a bank in Boston. He soon became a speculator of stocks, amassing a fortune by his early 20s, trading in copper and steel.  Not only was he known as the 'Copper King' he was also an established author, an accomplished sailor and he financed and built the world's largest seven masted schooner - the Thomas W. Lawson (natch!)

In 1890 Thomas Lawson founded the city of Grand Rivers, promoting it as the next great steel manufacturing centre to rival Pittsburgh and Birmingham.  While the dream of Grand Rivers becoming a major steel producing city failed,  Grand Rivers is one of the best lake resort communities in the Mid West.

Mark and I wandered into the town.  the street into the centre was lined with US flags, each with the name of someone from the town who had served in the military.  I thought this was a lovely idea.  It made me think that perhaps the UK does not do enough to honour its service men and women.

It's a cute city.  The main feature is Patti's restaurant.  

There is a marvelous store selling ladies 'apparel' called The Pink Tractor, with, naturally enough, a pink tractor outside.

Thomas Lawson's house is now a restaurant.

We took a horse and carriage ride around the city.  Our horses were called 'Dear' and 'John'.  The two horses pulling the other carriage were 'Margot' and 'Rita', after the lady's favourite drink, lol.  It was a nice ride out be as we had already walked round the city it was a bit superfluous.  It started to rain which was a bit of a shame as up until that point the weather had been great.