Day 2 was Claiborne Farm and Secretariat's grave. Day 3 was the reason for the whole trip, our oldest son Ryan's wedding in Louisville. This is Part 2 of our Kentucky trip. Part 1 covers our first day, and Part 3 picks up at Norris Lake.
Day 2 ·
Day 2: Claiborne Farm and the Road to Louisville
Written by Dan
Touring Claiborne Farm
On this leg of our getaway, we visited Claiborne Farm. Heather has talked about going here for years, and this year, we finally made it. Heather has always wanted to see the burial site of Secretariat, and that day, she finally did.
The entrance to the Claiborne Farm visitor center, marked with a yellow jockey silks cutout in the fence.
Kevin was our tour guide for the stallion tour and took our group of about twenty people around to several of the barns.
One of the barns we visited, white with yellow trim.Inside the barn, with its brick-paved aisle.
Claiborne was started in 1910 by Arthur B. Hancock Sr. on his wife's property. The Hancock family has guided the farm ever since, first Arthur Sr., then his son Arthur "Bull" Hancock, then Bull's son Seth, and the family still runs it today.
Gallant Fox, the 1930 Triple Crown winner, retired here to stand at stud, and his son Omaha won the Triple Crown in 1935, the only father and son to do it. Bold Ruler, who led the sire list eight times, was foaled here, and his son Secretariat stood at Claiborne until he died in 1989.
We also got to meet a couple of the resident stallions, including Prince of Monaco and War Front. War Front is one of the most successful sires in North America, and Prince of Monaco, one of the top dirt sprinters of his class, joined Claiborne's roster in 2025.
Heather and me with War Front.
The stop Heather had waited years for was Secretariat's grave, a simple gray stone dated 1970 to 1989 with roses, a ribbon and coins resting on it.
Secretariat's grave, with roses, a ribbon and coins resting on the stone.
Where
703 Winchester Road, Paris, Kentucky
What we did
The stallion tour, guided by Kevin, in a group of about twenty people
Stallion tour
A walking tour of about 60 minutes. $20 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under, daily at 10 am and 11 am.
All-farm shuttle
$30 per person, Wednesdays and Fridays from April through October at 1 pm, covering the broodmare and foaling division in 90 to 120 minutes
Booking
Reservations are required. Book online at claibornefarm.com/visit or call (859) 987-2330.
Good to know
No pets and no picnic area. Check in at the visitor center at least 5 minutes before your tour.
Tour details from Claiborne Farm's visit page, checked October 19, 2026. The farm notes that peak pricing may apply and lists closures for holidays and sales weeks, so check before you go.
After the tour, we headed back to our Harvest Host location, hitched up the trailer, and headed north to Louisville for our oldest son Ryan's wedding. We stayed at the Farm at Grace Hill in Crestwood, KY, a nearby Harvest Host location that was only a few minutes from their wedding venue. The host was very friendly and accommodating, and we opted in for electric hookups, which cost $30. Once we arrived, we unhitched and headed over to the venue to help get things ready for the following day.
Ryan and me at the venue the day before the wedding, while we were setting up.One of the reception tables.
Farm at Grace Hill, Crestwood, KY
Free, as a Harvest Hosts location
Electric hookups
$30
What we paid on October 16, 2026. Harvest Hosts stays are free, but it's always recommended that you patronize the host's business in any way you can.
Day 3 ·
Day 3: Ryan's Wedding
Written by Dan
As much as we'd enjoyed exploring Kentucky horse country, visiting some of the most famous Thoroughbred farms in the world, and discovering a couple of wonderful Harvest Hosts locations, the real reason for this trip was something much closer to our hearts. Our oldest son, Ryan, was getting married.
It's a strange feeling watching your children grow up. One day, they're little kids running around the house, and before you know it, they're adults building lives of their own. Of course, it doesn't happen overnight, but sometimes it certainly feels that way.
Ryan and Jessica chose The Gardens at Ray-Eden for their wedding, a beautiful setting for an outdoor ceremony. With family and friends gathered around them, everything came together for a wonderful celebration. Ryan's dog, Marley, was the ring bearer.
Ryan and me, all dressed up.Marley, the ring bearer, getting a kiss.
The wedding party.
There were moments of laughter, plenty of smiles, and a few emotional moments along the way. The good kind, of course. Weddings have a way of bringing those feelings to the surface, especially when it's your own child standing there exchanging vows with the person they've chosen to spend their life with.
For me, one of the most meaningful parts of the day was simply looking around and seeing how many people had come to celebrate with them. Friends, family, and loved ones had gathered to share in this important moment in their lives. It was wonderful to see Ryan and Jessica surrounded by so much love and support as they began their marriage.
Ryan and his beautiful bride, Jessica.
As a parent, there are certain moments that stay with you. You remember watching your children take their first steps, head off to school, graduate, and begin finding their own way in the world. Then comes a day like this, when you sit back and realize just how far they've come. I couldn't have been happier for them.
What made the day especially enjoyable was seeing everyone together. Life gets busy, families spread out, and opportunities to gather become less frequent as the years go by. A wedding gives everyone a reason to set aside their schedules, reconnect, share stories, and celebrate something that truly matters. And watching Ryan and Jessica enjoy their special day, surrounded by the people who mean so much to them, was something I won't soon forget.
We parked the Airstream and stayed the night, which was very convenient because we had to be there early the next morning to finish cleaning up. The host and owner of The Gardens at Ray-Eden, Mark Cain, was very generous in allowing us to stay right at the venue.
Heather and I have enjoyed some wonderful adventures since we began traveling with our Airstream. We've visited incredible places, met interesting people, and made plenty of memories along the way. But this trip was a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful experiences have very little to do with the destination itself. We'd spent several days exploring Kentucky's famous horse farms, learning about the Thoroughbred industry, and enjoying the countryside. Those experiences were memorable in their own right, but the wedding was always going to be the highlight of our trip.
Years from now, when we look back on our time in Kentucky, I'm sure we'll remember the beautiful farms, the horses, and the places we visited. But most of all, we'll remember a beautiful afternoon at The Gardens at Ray-Eden, watching Ryan and Jessica begin their life together, surrounded by family and friends.
And we couldn't be happier for them. Congratulations, Ryan and Jessica. We love you both and wish you a lifetime of happiness together.
Claiborne Farm and Grace Hill FAQ
Do you need a reservation to tour Claiborne Farm? Yes. Claiborne Farm requires reservations, which you can make online at claibornefarm.com/visit or by calling (859) 987-2330. As of October 2026 its website lists the walking stallion tour at $20 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under, daily at 10 am and 11 am, and pets are not allowed. Prices and schedules change, so check the farm's site.
Can you see Secretariat's grave at Claiborne Farm? Yes. Heather and I saw Secretariat's grave marker, dated 1970 to 1989, on our tour of Claiborne Farm. Tours require reservations, so book ahead through the farm.
How much did the Farm at Grace Hill cost? Staying at the Farm at Grace Hill in Crestwood, KY, was free because it's a Harvest Hosts location. We opted in for electric hookups, which cost $30, and the host was very friendly and accommodating.
Written by Dan
