The Trip. Part 2. Corvettes!

On a prior trip through Kentucky, we passed on the outskirts of Bowling Green.  Andy spied the sign that said National Corvette Museum.  We debated whether to take the time to go see it that day and decided to head on home.  Fast forward to this year's trip on the same road.  This time we did stop in to see the famous cars and where they are made.  And we were glad we did.

We went to the Museum first.  A kind woman met us at the door as we were going in.  "Are you going to see the cars?  Do you want a free ticket?"  Sure.  She had won about ten of them in a charity drawing and was giving them away.  How could we pass up such a good deal?

I am not much of a sports car person.  The place was full of Corvette enthusiasts so I went along for the ride.  When we were admitted to the hall we had to sign a waiver if we were going to visit the 'sinkhole' area.  Sinkhole area?  And then I remembered. The Museum had suffered a loss a few years ago when several rare and beautiful cars disappeared down a sinkhole that opened up in the main area where about 20 were displayed.  And we could actually go in and see it from behind a barricade?  We could, and we did.  It was a sobering sight.  They had brought up the damaged cars and they were displayed in a room next to the sinkhole area.  Still covered with dirt and damaged beyond repair they sat behind glass.  It felt like the visitation at a funeral home  as we passed by the wreckage.

After a quick lunch we lined up to tour the Corvette factory across the road.  We sat.  And sat.  We were entertained by the same movie for over an hour.  It seems that a lot of  Corvette fans want to see their favorite car being made.

The tour took about an hour and I enjoyed every minute of it.  Part of the fun was the fact that two young boys, aged 10 and 11, were on the tour with their parents.  They knew their stuff.  Every time the tour guide asked if someone had a question, they would pipe up.  They kept him on his toes...and we all learned a lot.

Another treat for me was meeting a couple who were watching their Corvette being assembled.  When you order one from the factory you can visit the plant and watch them put your car together...for a fee.  They were so excited.  Almost like being in the delivery room when your grandchild is born.

I came away from my afternoon learning about Corvettes and with a new appreciation for what it takes to make a beautiful automobile.

I may never be a Corvette owner, but I have seen the care that is put into creating them.  And I'm sure there are many fans out there who appreciate the fine work that is done in Bowling Green.