Aurora | Genuine Kentucky

Cooler than Cool Kentucky T-Shirts at The Hitching Post

May 27, 2016 by Joi Sigers 2 Comments

Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley T-Shirt from The Hitching Post

Coolest T-Shirt in the History of T-Shirts: Kentucky Tee at the Hitching Post

Ever see something and think, “That just may be the coolest thing of all time?” That’s the feeling I had recently when I saw these gorgeous new Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley T-Shirts at The Hitching Post in Aurora, KY . This iconic Kentucky Lake Shop and Old Country Store is one of the places we hit each and every time we’re in the Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes area.

Like catfish for supper, it’s a given that we’ll be found browsing, shopping, talking with the insanely FRIENDLY workers and owner, and (of course) sampling and buying their homemade fudge.

Each Color is a Knock Out

On our last trip (about a week ago), I was browsing through the Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley t-shrits for a new one this season and found the ones shown here. I fell in love with them instantly and was trying to decide on a color when… all of a sudden… my eyes zeroed in on one of the “landmarks” mentioned on the back. I saw Genuine Kentucky.com and excitedly said (out loud of course like all crazy people do), “That’s me!”

My brain said, “Pick a color, nothing, I’m buying three of each color!” To which, my billfold said, “Slow your roll, big shot, and pick a color.”

Although each color was gorgeous, I decided to go with the pink first. I can always go back for the others, but my girly girl brain says, When in doubt, go with pink.

The Pink T-Shirt I Gave a Good Home To

Each member of my family here in Owensboro has vowed to visit The Hitching Post for their own, which is all kinds of cool.

I hope you’ll grab a tee on your next visit to The Hitching Post – even if Genuine Kentucky weren’t mentioned on the back, it’d be the coolest t-shrit of all time. It’s a great representation of the beautiful Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley region with all the landmarks mentioned. A Kentucky t-shirt is a great way to show your Kentucky pride and the ideal way to spread the word about all that’s waiting to be enjoyed at Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

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I See You, Willow Pond!

I seriously just can’t tell you how honored and downright blown-away I am to be included in this epic t-shirt. To be mentioned there with The Hitching Post, Land Between the Lakes, Belews, Golden Pond, Elk & Bison Range, The Dinner Bell, The Willow Pond (!!!), and the others is such an honor and is one of the coolest “Genuine Kentucky” related things that has ever happened to me… right up there with Governor Matt Bevin “liking” some of my Kentucky pictures on Twitter!

I’m so grateful and will never come down off of Cloud Nine.

More Love for The Hitching Post on Genuine Kentucky (Newest Listed First):

With MANY more to come… this I promise you!

What Do Willow Pond in Aurora and Kentucky Lake Have in Common?

July 27, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Willow Pond in Aurora, Kentucky

Last weekend, Michael and I planned out a great Saturday. We’d go to Paducah and check out a new coffee shop (in the Old Coca Cola Plant). Then we’d look around Paducah (we love their downtown), visit Kentucky Lake, and finish a great day off with supper at Catfish Kitchen.

We normally eat at the Willow Pond Restaurant in Aurora when we’re near Kentucky Lake and the Land Between the Lakes. It’s simply one of our favorite restaurants in the entire state.

However, since I had to start eating gluten free, there are only two places in the world I can get fried catfish – Catfish Kitchen and my own kitchen. As far as I know, they’re the only restaurant that serves gluten free fried catfish.

I’ve been eating so much grilled or blackened catfish lately that I was eager to switch it up a bit and have some fried catfish.

Well, you know how “great plans” go! First of all, the espresso machine in the coffee shop was down, so we had to leave without a single drink. Then, when we drove to the downtown (thinking we’d visit the coffee shop down there, then peacefully stroll around with our drinks), we found that everyone within 7 states seemed to have descended on Downtown Paducah for the day!

I was thrilled to see so many people having a great time, but there was no where to park and, if there had been, it was honestly elbow to elbow down there and that didn’t strike either one of us as peaceful.

Soooo, we headed toward Kentucky Lake and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. We sat at Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers for quite a while (I’ll add the pictures tomorrow) and Kentucky Lake reminded us what relaxation meant.

The earlier disappointments had completely vanished by the time we drove up to Catfish Kitchen. All we knew were that we were perfectly relaxed and outrageously hungry!

By this point, I was dying for some fried catfish. They open at 4:00 and we pulled into the parking lot at 4:25. Even though the parking lot wasn’t entirely full, we were told that we’d have “at least an” hour long wait.

An hour!

Hello, disappointment, nice to meet you again.

We stepped out of the restaurant and an older lady overheard us talking about the wait. She was beyond exasperated and was having to stand out in the heat because the waiting room was packed. She said she and her husband had driven hours to Kentucky Lake, wanting to eat at Catfish Kitchen but that she couldn’t wait any longer.

When we were walking to our car, a group headed past us and a woman said to me, “I hope there isn’t a wait.” I told her, “I’m afraid it’s an hour long wait.” One of the men in their group laughed and said, “Oh, I hope not!”

I started to say, “My good man… I do NOT joke about catfish,” but I decided to let them find out for themselves. As we were pulling out of the parking lot, they were walking out of the restaurant shaking their heads.

They found out.

Coleslaw and Beans at the Willow Pond in Aurora

Neither one of us had to even discuss Plan B, we knew where we were going – Aurora! Like Kentucky Lake, Aurora’s Willow Pond never lets us down and, after the day we had, we needed that in the worst possible way.

Here’s the thing, I prefer Willow Pond’s coleslaw to anyone else in the region’s. I also had rather have their beans because they have this amazing red relish that you can put on top…. and it is delectable. So, the fact that we were actually “having” to go to a favorite restaurant wasn’t even a problem.

I was even able to change things up by having something other than grilled catfish – I ordered grilled shrimp and it was out of this world good. I’ve always been a fanatic when it comes to shrimp and catfish… no wonder I love Willow Pond so much. They work magic with shrimp and catfish like few could ever hope to.

Willow Pond Grilled Shrimp and Baked Potato

Delicious Grilled Shrimp and Perfect Baked Potato

But it’s more than just that (as if that wouldn’t be enough!). Their beans, coleslaw, baked potatoes, and hush puppies (I remember them SO well) are excellent. They don’t just try to get by with average sides like some restaurants do – their sides are extraordinary.

Great food, uncommonly friendly servers, and a charming, genuinely Kentucky atmosphere. Is it any wonder this beautiful Kentucky Lake restaurant is one of our favorite restaurants anywhere?

There’s A LOT to be said for people, places, and things that never disappoint you. I’m looking at you Willow Pond and Kentucky Lake.

Willow Pond Menu (Aurora, Kentucky)

Delicious Kentucky Food Haul from The Hitching Post and Old Country Store

June 25, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Hitching Post and Old Country Store Elderberry Jam, Southern Sweet Tea Jelly, and Pure Honey

Sweet Haul from the Hitching Post and Old Country Store, Aurora

When it comes to Kentucky food, Kentucky products, and keeping our money in the state by supporting our neighbors, I don’t just step up on the soapbox, I leap on it ninja style.

I have a hundred and one things to do today, though, so you’ll be spared the song and dance.

This time.

I do want to tell you about a wonderful little haul we brought back with us on a recent trip to The Hitching Post & Old Country Store: Elderberry Jam, Pure Honey, and (a new obsession) Southern Sweet Tea Jelly.

I live for sweet tea, so I honestly feel like this one was made specifically for me.

Elderberry Jam is one of Michael’s favorite things, and he’s been enjoying it on toast like it’s his job. I’ll be making cornbread tomorrow night and he’ll, no doubt, cover several pieces with this delicious jam.

Honey is something we go through a lot in our kitchen. We put it in hot tea and oatmeal, on biscuits and cornbread, and I use it in lots of recipes. This Pure Honey is simply the best – plain and simple.

I have to admit that I’m completely fascinated with the Southern Sweet Tea Jelly. It’s fantastic and, to be perfectly honest, I’m in love with the charming label. And get this, it’s made especially for The Hitching Post. If you were to buy jars of it for loved ones this Christmas, odds are it’ll be as unique to them as a unicorn wearing a sweater.

Somehow it honestly tastes like delicious sweet tea. Given the fact that the first two ingredients are tea and sugar, it shouldn’t blow me completely away, and yet it does. I guess the novelty of the idea is the part I can’t wrap my head around.

How did anyone ever even think of something so perfect?!

Each Christmas, some of my favorite cookies are the Thumbprint Cookies I make with the wonderful different jams and jellies from The Hitching Post & Old Country Store. This year is going to be extra special with “Sweet Tea Thumbprint Cookies.”

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Moonshine Mixers and Moonshine Jelly at The Hitching Post

Moonshine Jelly Would Make Interesting Cookies Too!

I also wanted to take this chance to give a little extra clarity about these extraordinary stores. We’ve sat on the front porch of The Hitching Post during our last 3 or 4 visits, eating homemade fudge and drinking cold vintage soft drinks we bought in The Hitching Post.

Quite a few times, we overheard, then helped, tourists wondering which way they should go. Each time they were “out of staters” who simply didn’t know which store they should go in or which one they should go in first.

My answer? You can’t go wrong either way!

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The Hitching Post in Aurora, a legendary Kentucky Lake attraction!

The Hitching Post: A Legendary Kentucky Lake Attraction

The Hitching Post (pictured above) is home to countless mementos, Kentucky crafts, souvenirs, jewelry, t-shirts, vintage soft drinks, homemade fudge, candy, soap, whimsical gifts, and….. well… a little bit of everything for kids of ALL ages.

It’s just one smile after the next and one giggle on top of the other.

When you pull onto the property and park, The Hitching Post is on the right (when you’re facing the stores).

On the left is, essentially, a step back in time – to a beautiful, simpler time that’ll come alive in both your mind and heart the minute you step on the porch. The Old Country Store is packed with nostalgia, antiques, and vintage gifts. It really kind of defies description because most of us who LOVE nostalgia could never even hope for anyplace quite like it.

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Old Country Store in Aurora, Kentucky (Beside The Hitching Post)

Old Country Store: Sweet Nostalgia, Everywhere You Look!

The Old Country Store is truly a one-of-a-kind place that, again, kids of all ages will get a huge kick out of. If you love vintage candy, toys, games, dishes, books, and other items… be warned, you’ll never want to leave.

They even have coffee!

Mere feet separate the two stores – which is a good thing because I always find myself walking back and forth between the two.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a Spinach Artichoke Dip to make, Kroger to visit, cats to feed, and Southern Sweet Tea Jelly to spread on the nearest non-cat thing that presents itself.

Two Words: Homemade Fudge

More Hitching Post on Genuine Kentucky:

Jam, Jelly, and Pure Honey from The Hitching Post – IDEAL with Buttermilk Cornbread and Mashed Potatoes!

Coffee at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store

May 27, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Hitching Post and Old Country Store Coffee

I’ve already told you one-million-and-sixteen times how much I love The Hitching Post & Old Country Store in Aurora, so I’ll skip the preliminary gushing and get right to the heart of the matter…. COFFEE.

The wonderful Old Country Store (next to Kentucky’s famous Hitching Post) is filled with pure gold for those of us who love antiques and vintage collectibles. For those of us who also happen to love delicious Kentucky food and coffee, well we just want to move right in.

When I walked into the store last weekend, I was hit… make that HIT… with the unmistakable aroma of coffee. I looked immediately to my left and, sure enough, there was a huge coffee display. I thought for sure I was going to pass out. I’m not sure the ladies working behind the counter knew what to make of me. Fortunately for me the sweetheart owner happened along and assured them I was harmless.

She even gave me some coffee to try – if I didn’t already adore her, I certainly would now!

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B-52 Coffee from The Hitching Post and Old Country Store

I tried the B-52 Coffee and it is exceptional. This particular coffee has a delicious blend of amaretto, Irish cream and Kahlua flavors. The aroma of this coffee sweeps you up even before you take a sip. It’s outstanding.

In our family, we enjoy making our own coffee and coffee-related drinks at home. It’s cheaper and, if you go about it with a little common sense, you won’t get hundreds of unnecessary calories in the process. The beauty of flavored coffee, like B-52, is that you get a knock-out flavor without having to add any sugar or artificial sweeteners.

I usually just drink the B-52 black – no cream and no sugar, but yesterday I added some whipped skim milk and voila! – I had a coffee house worthy latte…. just A LOT cheaper and with A LOT less calories.

It was also more delicious, but we won’t tell any of the coffee houses that. They’re sensitive after all.

{Review continued beneath Alexa…}

I would ask if you notice one of our cats, Alexa, behind my cup of B-52 coffee latte in the photo above, but how could you miss her?! I sat my cup down on the table she was sprawled out on so I could take a picture of it. I figured she’d make a nice background, and an appropriate one given the coffee mug.

What I didn’t anticipate was that she made a move for my coffee. Apparently she has a thing for Irish Cream. Who knew?

On this particular visit to The Hitching Post & Old Country Store, I also bought quite a bit of the homemade fudge. I bought some Chocolate with Walnuts, Tiger Butter, and Peanut Butter fudge. They were all more delicious than they have a right to be – just like they are every time.

You see, I’m an expert. I buy some each and every trip.

I sampled something on this trip in the Old Country Store that I’m still kicking myself for not buying. It’s just not like me not to buy something right on the spot – but to my defense, I was pretty preoccupied with the coffee. Suffice to say I’ll buy it on the next visit. It was Southern Sweet Tea Jelly and it was ridiculously delicious. It was sweet and had that unmistakable tea flavor that we Southerners live for.

Oh man, I can practically taste it now… still kicking myself.

I hope you’ll make a special trip to The Hitching Post & Old Country Store SOON. I’m working on another article about the Country Store and will probably have it published by tomorrow.

For now, I think I’ll have another B-52 Coffee Latte. Shhhh, don’t tell Alexa.

You won’t believe how amazing this coffee smells!

More Hitching Post & Old Country Store on Genuine Kentucky:

Unique Deliciousness from The Hitching Post at Kentucky Lake

April 15, 2015 by Joi Sigers 2 Comments

Taste Elevated Sweet and Tangy Mustard Seeds

First of all, while this raving review is posted under the category Kentucky Food, this particular deliciousness was not, in any way, made in Kentucky. It is, however, so mind-boggling good that we’re going to forgive it. In fact, we’ll pardon it completely.

Since it can be bought in Kentucky (at The Hitching Post in Aurora, to be exact) and since it is food…. it’ll remain in the Kentucky Food category.

Besides, I don’t have a Texas Food category.

While we were browsing around The Hitching Post, the owner (one of the friendliest people you’ll ever want to meet) told us about Taste Elevated Sweet & Tangy Mustard Seeds and asked if we’d like to try it out. Michael is a huge mustard fanatic, so she had him at “mustard.” We jumped at the chance to sample something that sounded very promising.

Oh. My. Word. Holy cats was it delicious. So delicious, in fact that we bought a jar right then and there and somehow managed to stay out of it until we got it home.

It is absolutely wonderful and unique in every way. It could be, quite honestly, eaten right out of the jar. I may or may not have done this on several occasions. It’s also incredibly good on rice crackers and cornbread.

We’ve also taken it for a test drive on corn dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, and ham sandwiches. I’ve hidden some in the refrigerator ( shhhh, don’t tell you-know-who) to try in deviled eggs tomorrow. Hmmmm, it’d also be great in or on egg salad sandwiches. Or potato salad…

Seriously, there aren’t many places this wouldn’t be outrageously good.

You’ll want to grab some Taste Elevated Sweet and Tangy Mustard Seeds for grilling season, trust me. Just motor to The Hitching Post in Aurora, Kentucky and tell them you’re looking to kick up your hot dogs and hamburgers to notches unknown with Sweet & Tangy Mustard Seeds!

Taste Elevated Sweet and Tangy Mustard Seeds on a Very Grateful Hot Dog

Cooler than Cool Kentucky T-Shirts at The Hitching Post

What Do Willow Pond in Aurora and Kentucky Lake Have in Common?

Delicious Kentucky Food Haul from The Hitching Post and Old Country Store

Coffee at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store

Unique Deliciousness from The Hitching Post at Kentucky Lake

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