KENTUCKY DERBY!!!!!!! pt. 1

OHHHHHHHHHH HI!!! It's been a while. Here are some pictures from my trip to Kentucky in April and May. The things I did were once in a lifetime and I'll always be so appreciative of the opportunities. I arrived in Indianapolis at 11ish and Russ and I set out to find somewhere to relax. Turned out there were no bars open in Indi except for this one, which was a little scary but turned out great! Besides, who passes up a wild beaver?

All of Kentucky looks like this, extremely well manicured jungle trees.
I was obviously impressed by all the green and old red brick buildings.

At a bar by the water, Russ fell in! Just kidding, but he did almost break his foot jumping off this.

Just so I'd remember the place.

The next day before Kentucky Oaks. Kentucky Oaks is the day before the derby and all the races are run by phillies (lady horses).

Russ's parents in front of their beautiful home.

Russy doesn't know how to take pictures as you'll see throughout the post. His facial expressions are a cross between growling, smelling something stinky, and grimacing!

AT CHURCHILL DOWNS!!! It was a weird trip getting there as there's widespread poverty surrounding the place, rundown houses with the tenants selling their yard space for parking. Despite the drastic differences in socioeconomic status between those inside Churchill and outside, everyone LOVES the derby and celebrates in every way they can.

This is what a betting ticket looks like. There are so many different ways a person can bet (exacta and trifecta boxes, etc.)--I stuck with predicting which horses would win. Contrary to what I'd thought, there are races all day at Kentucky Oaks and the Derby; so there were plenty to bet and lose on!!

Ray (Russ's step dad) gave us cigars to celebrate the right way. First and only cigar I've REALLY enjoyed.

A lot of celebs and commentators would hang out round here.

Russ with ciggy and mint julep.

Russ, Kathy, Ray. Everyone (except Russ) wore pink to support breast cancer awareness. I've never seen so much pink in all my life, sooooo great!!

Being sassy.

We had incredible seats. Kentucky Oaks day was beautiful, almost too hot.

Pink, the crowd.

Starting gate.

Horse racing was really beautiful but also scary. I can see why there are such opposing views to the sport.

The courtyard was jam-packed as well.

There was an area in the courtyard where the phillies were walked around before their races. All the horses were so incredibly skinny, almost unhealthy looking. But they're complete muscle, totally efficient and made for racing. The horses on the ranch look obese in comparison.

In the courtyard...

Hats!!!! I've never seen so many incredible, over the top, feathers, fruits, flowers, everything hats in my entire life. I didn't take many pictures because I wasn't going to be THAT girl.

The end of the day. Next post: Kentucky Derby.