Enjoying a Part of Americana (and maybe the best banana ice cream???)

Have you ever driven down a long stretch of highway, passing nothing but vast landscape - and then you see a random exit – with no sign of human existence?  As you get closer, and the sign slowly comes to view, you notice that the sign is void of the familiar symbols of food, gas, and lodging.  It only has the exit name and its corresponding number. I’ve driven by many of these exits wondering if people actually lived off of these exits?  And if so, what did they do?  What were they like?  Where did they work?  Ever since I was a child, I've been intrigued by these mysterious exits that seem to lead to nowhere..... 

Exit 42 - Lebanon, KY

Until about 8 years ago, when I had the opportunity to explore what was beyond one of these mysterious exits.  Exit 42 (Lebanon/Springfield) off of the Bluegrass Parkway.  Destination: The city of Lebanon in Marion County, Kentucky.  Since that time (8 years ago), I've been fortunate to visit Lebanon twice a year. Beyond exit 42, you will find that the residents of Lebanon, KY have funny accents, but are also warm, friendly, helpful, and welcoming. They offer up smiles easily, and comfortably start up conversations with visitors (like me – a city girl).

The city is NOT a boring city at all!  It holds an annual Ham's Day Festival (celebrating the country ham) and Tractor Show in September.  Any town that celebrates my 2nd favorite meat (pork) is okay in my book.  Marion County is also the home of Maker's Mark, a small batch bourbon distillery, well known for their marketing accolades and the dripping red wax used to seal the bottle.  It is part of the bourbon trail and is approximately 20 minutes from Lebanon.  Maker's Mark  I truly believe that a little bit of Maker's Mark runs through the veins of every Lebanon local (21 years and older of course).  It's amazing how bourbon is cleverly incorporated into their lives.  You see it in food, a 5K, chocolate, drinks, and much more.  One can even be an ambassador for Maker's Mark.

Aside from the bourbon and country ham, Lebanon is also home to the BEST Banana Ice Cream I’ve ever had.  East Main Dairy Freeze right off of - you got it - Main St. in Lebanon, KY serves the most delicious and refreshing soft serve banana ice cream I've ever had.  The ice cream has just the right amount of banana in it. You can still taste the banana even when your taste buds are half frozen from eating the large ice cream so quickly.  It is so delicious that ever since I took my first bite almost 8 years ago, I've been on a search to find something close to what I've found in Lebanon.  I have been to gelaterias in Rome, Le Glaciers in Paris, numerous ice cream parlours in the US, and ice cream shops down many boardwalks - but nothing has come close.
East Main Dairy Freeze

  

The city itself has that sleepy small town feel that one would expect from a small town. But it also has an energy that I believe comes from the simple and maybe more honest life that only a small town can offer its residents. The residents of Lebanon, KY are no different than you or me.  But, their love of sports, family, the town of Lebanon, horses, bourbon, faith, and their state of Kentucky keep them clean and simple.  

Visit Lebanon, KY

Lebanon is surrounded by farm land, dark knobs, and beautiful open spaces.  I've driven through a couple of the farms in Lebanon and am in awe of the beauty they possess.  Tobacco, corn, pumpkins, and soy beans fill the acres on St. Mary's and Goodin View Farms.  As I drive down tractor made roads in St. Mary's farm, with the 87 year old man that owns St. Mary’s farm and a few others, I shake my head as I look at him.  He tolerates my questions and many stops to capture photos of the farm's beauty on my iphone.  He offers me that easy smile I've become accustomed to in a Lebanon resident.  He sits comfortably in the passenger seat next to me.  He is comfortable in his own skin.  Comfortable knowing that he has accomplished what he wanted to accomplish in his lifetime with no regrets. Comfortable that he does not need to let anyone know, whether it's an employee, a church friend, a stranger, another farmer, who he is and what he's accomplished.  Is this man real?  Because despite his accomplishments, his successes, his legacy, he still calls himself a simple farmer.  Humble to his core.  I ask myself again - is this man real?? Because this type of man - represents the American in us, the American we strive to be.

Lebanon, KY, this magical place, off of a mysterious exit, with its warm hospitality, a landscape that I’ve quickly appreciated to be one of the most beautiful I’ve seen, and delicious banana ice cream has captured my attention and heart.  This city, the land, the farms, the people – they are Americana.

So next time you see a random and mysterious exit without the familiar food, gas, lodging symbols - take a chance.  Get off the exit and explore.  You never know what you'll find. You are only a Stones Throw away from finding a piece of Americana.