The Hitching Post | Genuine Kentucky

Antique and “All Things Vintage” Collectors: You’ll Find Heaven on Earth in Aurora

May 19, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Americana at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store!It’s no secret that we love the Hitching Post & Old Country Store in Aurora. They’ve been in the “Playing Favorites” spotlight on the Kentucky Events Page for months. I set it up to be a one month spotlight but, what can I say, time got away from me… to the tune of about 8 months!

One of the uncommonly cool things about this Gift Shop/Antique Store/Legendary Kentucky Lake “Museum of Fun” is the fact that you see something different each time you go. As you’d expect, we go frequently – many times throughout the year – yet, there are still new Kentucky food products, fudge flavors (YUM!), toys, gifts, mementos, etc each time we’re there.

Classic Candy at the Old Country Store in AuroraIf you collect antiques and love anything and everything vintage, you’ll want to move into the Old Country Store. The new owners have put SO much work, time, money, and effort into renovating this wonderful old country store into what is very much like a vintage museum – except you can buy the exhibits!

The classic candy is one of my favorite sections…. remember Astro Pops? You can buy a couple and show your kids what all the fuss was about. The last time we were in there, I got a kick out of listening to a grandfather tell his granddaughters all about the games, candy, books, and toys. They were fascinated with the candy cigarettes. Remember those? I could tell by the look on his face, he was a kid again… and THAT is what makes this place a kind of Heaven on earth – because when it comes to traveling, no trip can compare with the one you take back in time.

I noticed that the grandfather was buying a few things and I thought, “Smart man. Take that kid feeling home with you!”

Classic Candy, Toys, Books, and Games

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Vintage Toys Games and Books at the Old Country Store

Click each picture for a closer look.

There are also countless other vintage and antique collectibles – pretty much any category you can think of is covered. The vintage collectibles I collect are kitchen gadgets, dishes, historical books, and cookbooks – So I am WILD about these sections.

There are also vintage sewing accessories and gadgets.

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Vintage and Antique Collectors will LOVE the Old Country Store!

Antiques and Collectibles at the Old Country Store

Vintage Dishes and Kitchen Collectibles at the Old Country Store

Click each picture for a closer look.

Everything is set up beautifully – you can tell a great deal of time and effort goes into every single display.

Another great thing about The Hitching Post and Old Country Store is the fact that it’s a wonderful place to find Kentucky Food and Kentucky made products. LOVE that!

Kentucky Food at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store

I hope you’ll go as soon as you possibly can and go through both the Hitching Post and the Old Country Store very slowly. Trust me, you do not want to miss a thing.

Candles at The Hitching Post: Kentucky’s Iconic Country Store

May 27, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

You Won’t Believe How Great These Candles Smell!

Two of of my three daughters (Emily and Stephany) and I have a tradition that kind of allows us to make Christmas last all year long. Beginning in January, we start “rounding up” Christmas gifts for loved ones and we stash them away in hidden totes until the day after Thanksgiving… then the wrapping begins. My other daughter (Brittany) is like my husband/their father, Christmas officially begins in December and they will not consider any other approach!

Many of these candles, at The Hitching Post (Aurora, KY, near Kentucky Lake) are destined for my hidden Christmas totes. Let’s make no mistake about it, though, they’re also destined for my kitchen, dining room, den, bathrooms… They are Heavenly.

Each one smelled out of this world – Lilac & Wildflowers, Cabin Fever, Lemon Cheesecake, Honeysuckle Pear, French Thyme… and my personal favorite, Eucalyptus Lavender.

Candles like this make excellent gift ideas because it’s one thing people always want and need. These beauties are extra special because you can clean them out after the candle has been used up and use the beautiful little jar as a vase or to hold anything from Q-Tips to kitchen gadgets.

Whether it’s birthdays, anniversaries, weddings or Christmas, these are ideal gift ideas. You’ll actually find endless gift ideas in The Hitching Post & Old Country Store – vintage games, antiques, Kentucky Food, books, toys, souvenirs…

Each time I go, I tell myself the same thing, “I could, literally do ALL of my Christmas shopping here!”

Just don’t tell my husband or Brittany. They get migraines when I talk about Christmas before the 4th of July.

But still….

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

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!

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

The All American Soda Showdown at The Hitching Post & Old Country Store!

April 9, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

The Hitching Post & Old Country Store in Aurora, Ky is the place to be for A LOT of reasons, but if you love nostalgia and have a soft spot for vintage sodas (soft drinks, soda pops, colas… whatever you call them, they’re fantastic!), you won’t want to be anywhere else.

The Hitching Post has always had a fun selection of “can’t find anywhere else” cold soft drinks but they’ve really stepped up their soda game this year. There’s an entire wall of nostalgic soda pops!

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On a recent trip, Michael got one of his absolute favorites, Lost Trail Sarsaparilla, and I tried one I’d never tried before, Frostie’s Cherry Lime Soda…. Holy Cats, it was delicious! There are, like, two dozen different ones I want to try next time, but I’m not convinced I’ll be able to pull myself away from Frostie’s Cherry Lime goodness.

Besides, Santa’s on the front.. how are you going to beat that?!

Frostie Cherry Limeade Soda at The Hitching Post.

Fortunately, if (like me) you’d love to sample lots of these classics, you have golden opportunities to do so – it’s called The All American Soda Showdown and it takes place Thursdays May through August from 4pm – 7pm at The Hitching Post & Old Country Store in Aurora, Ky.

There are over 150 nostalgic and gourmet bottled soda pops for you to get acquainted (or re-acquainted) with. 150! Just purchase a souvenir tasting glass for $4.95 and they’ll fill it with samples from their massive collection.

The Hitching Post & Old Country Store is located at 16474 US Highway 68E in Aurora, Ky. If you have any questions, call them at 270-474-2266 – but beware… they’re uncommonly warm and ridiculously friendly. Since it’s kind of unusual these days for people to be as nice as they are, they might catch you off guard.

Now you’ll just expect all that charm.

You can also visit their website at Hitching Post.us until you can visit them in person.