I am considering moving to the Cave City (Mammoth Cave) area. Does anyone know of any local car clubs and/or shows/cruise-ins in or nearby. Also any info about living in Kentucky would be appreciated. Both pros and cons. We are planning a trip there in June to check things out. Any HAMBers close by? Thanks, Ron
That is a nice area, easy access to Beech Bend drags strip, hot rod reunion in June, Louisville for street Rod Nats in August, and the Vette Museum, easy drive to Nashville too. Somerset, Ky has a monthly cruise on the 4th weekend from April thru October with a different feature every month, it's one of the best in the nation and its free. The whole downtown is blocked off all day for nothing but show cars, no skateboard or kids on bikes either. After the show the cars cruise on 127 near the restaurants and everyone just has a nice time. One of the best cruise events in the nation. It is about 1-1.5 hours from that area. Easy to own Cl***ic cars here, no emissions or mandates easy to get antique tags and you are allowed to run vintage plates if registered as a collector car.
Great area thats in driving range to rod runs in KY, TN, OH and IN. If it ends in KY its got to be good. Gary
I live in the Lexington area lot of good car stuff around here. I Forgot to mention the Boonesborough Boogie in October usually a nice turnout for that one too.
Thanks 65pacecar. I'm already retired and the wife hopes to retire in the next year or so. I figure since you have the same money coming in after retirement no matter where you live, you might as well live where it costs less. I currently live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and think it will be cheaper in Kentucky, especially houses and land. Anyone else have anything, especially those who live there (Kentucky). Ron
COL and land is generally reasonable here. Areas to look in and consider besides the area you mentioned would be Somerset, Danville, Greater Lexington, Winchester and Bardstown areas. Central to car activities along with other stuff to do.
I live 20 minutes east of Cave City in Glasgow, KY. Great area of the country. If you're coming in June, you really should come to the Hot Rod Reunion. I guarantee it will be the coolest car show/racing environment that you have seen. Rich
rodster, I've been looking at homes in Glasgow on the Internet. What are the dates for the Reunion? We are bringing our Retro camper (2016). And possibly pulling it with my F-1; if I can sort out the steering, might be putting on a rack and pinion set up. Ron
Here's my pics from last year.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/bowling-green-hot-rod-reunion-2015-pics-and-vids.980974/
Have to agree that area is very nice I go down there to the Somernights Cruise very often. Been to the Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend the last few years and the Goodguy's Nostalgia Drags at Beech Bend too. Plus you won't be far from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and they have a tour with Hot Rods one a year too. Traffic has never been an issue for us. Plenty to see and do in my opinion. Good Luck have Fun! Joe
even though I am from Washington we were back in Loiusville for my daughters FFA convention we drove to Nashville for the day i remember seeing the sign for cave city and i fell in love with that part of kentucky down there enough that my wife hates to hear about how I want to move there all winter when it was cold and raining I had my phone set to bowling green KY weather and would rubb it in how nice it was there as we stood in the rain good luck with the move
I moved to the Louisville area from San Diego in 1998 and the cost of housing, gas, and a lot of other things is definitely lower here. There are several car shows and cruises in the Louisville area every weekend from May through September and some in other months too. There's a big 1000+ car cruise in downtown Elizabethtown (just north of Cave City) in July which is definitely worth checking out. As already mentioned, the Street Rod Nationals are held in Louisville the first weekend of August which draws well over 10,000 vehicles. Antique car plates never expire here and don't cost much either-just the opposite of California-plus there are no smog tests or inspections of any kind. Send me a PM if you want because when you come here this summer my wife and I would like to have you and your wife over for lunch or dinner and maybe go for a spin in my restored '60 Edsel (which was built here in Louisville). Let me know if you have any more questions................Dave
Kentucky is green, treed, rolling hills. and old car friendly. Great place to live. The only place I know thats better is the Florida Pan Handle. Not as much car activity but the weather is better. Great beaches, fishing and sea food. Gary
I live a few hours west but that is a nice area. As others said your within 3 hour drive of a lot of nice car shows and cruise ins. Don't forget you'll be close to the frog follies too.
Thanks for all the responses everyone. My wife's vacation is June 15 to 24. So it looks like I can make the Hot Rod Reunion. I'm hoping Tow Mater (my 50 Ford F-1) will be pulling our Retro camper trailer. I only have to re-wire, install A/C (for the wife), fix steering (rack and pinion?), and a few other small things and it will be ready. I'd move tomorrow, but still have to convince the wife. Hopefully after our visit, she be more open to the move. We came through there in 2000. Stayed in the Wig Wam Motel. We were in my 50 Ford sedan. Part of a 3700 mile trip thru 11 states in 14 days. I was born in Louisville and actually lived in Cave City in 1951 or 2. My grand parents lived there and we used to visit in the summers until mid 60's. As far as I know, there is no family there now. I've just always wanted to go back there to live and if I don't do it soon, I probably never will. And with what I am hearing, I need to make this move. Thanks again for all the info so far. Keep it coming. Ron
G***er, if your going to the HRR in Bowling Green get a hotel/motel room ASAP. If you wait too long you'll be out of luck. Gary
Gman, We'll have the camper set up near Cave City and drive down to the show. Thanks for thinking of that. Ron
The Keeneland Concourse in July is a very nice show with a great mix of cars and trucks from high end Art Deco, Muscle Cars, European, street rods and a place for drivers too. It's in Lexington and an easy drive from the Cave City area.
They have a camp ground at Beech bend and the reunion would be rite in your front door not to mention your rig, with trailor in tow, would fit right in with the show.
Thanks low budget. I checked into that. They don't do reservations and the camper is a 2016. It's called a Retro and it pretty much looks the part. If it was an actual old camper I could display with the truck but not stay in it over night. Since we are actually going to be in Kentucky (Cave City) to check out moving there, we'll set up camp at the KOA in Horse Cave and drive down each day. I really lucked up with the HRR being at the time my wife is able to take her vacation. If we do work out everything and move there, I'll be able to take the g***er there in the future. Lebowski, I'll PM you when our plans are finalized. Tentatively we will get there June 14 and leave the 22nd. Again thanks everyone for info so far and all info is appreciated. Still hoping to find a local car club in the area around there. Ron