OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Paul Patton

State of Kentucky

October 2, 1997

Dear Ms. Sarsfield:

What a commendable project your yearlong journey to Discover America appears to be and I compliment you on your plan to spend equal time in each state.

Your request for a personal recommendation on what to see during a one-week visit, although intriguing, makes for difficult choices. There are so many great things to see and do in Kentucky that to fit some of them into a week's time frame is a challenging prospect. With over 16 state resort parks offering outstanding lodging accommodations and attractions, there's a difficult choice at the outset.

So, what I'm going to do is touch briefly on the specific areas you mentioned and attach a suggested itinerary for a trip that I took my family on when I was Lieutenant Governor.

Although you asked me not to refer to the Tourist Bureau, (in Kentucky it's the Tourism Development Cabinet), I did ask them to send you a packet of information under separate cover. It covers some interesting facts on Kentucky, particularly our symbols, traditions, history and should be helpful to you.

Kentucky's diverse landscape and vast natural resources make it a truly beautiful state. One needs only to see the Appalachian Mountains and valleys in the east, the tall bluffs and rugged shoreline along its rivers and lakes, ancient, green forests and woodlands, rolling barrens and remarkable cave region, to
discover the rich variety and beauty of this state.

The people of Kentucky pride themselves on their friendliness, love of their state, their unique heritage, culture, age-old traditions and customs, among other things. Our craftsmen, many of whom use techniques and skills handed down through generations, are second to none and their products world renowned.

Kentucky cuisine needs to be enjoyed first hand to be appreciated. Kentuckians love good food and Kentucky cooks are surely among the best. Mouth-watering recipes abound from so called 'country' cooking to gourmet. In fact, as you travel around Kentucky, you may run across recipes using ingredients that are rather unique. No matter, you're sure to enjoy sampling
Kentucky's offerings.

A synopsis of Kentucky's history and some of its famous people are included in the packet. Its hard to pinpoint a favorite, although Daniel Boone and Abraham Lincoln would have to be in the running. Boone is buried in Frankfort. Cumberland Gap, where he discovered the route to western pioneer settlement, is now a national park.

Lincoln is the only Kentuckian to become a U.S. president, but interestingly the President of the Confederate States of America was also born here. Lincoln's birthplace is a National Historic Shrine in Hodgenville. His boyhood home on Knob Creek is a few miles from there. Jefferson Davis' monument is a state shrine in Fairview.

It is truly my wish that your visit to our state is a productive and enjoyable one. We welcome the opportunity to share our beautiful state with others. If we can provide assistance to you while in our state, please call upon us.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Patton
Governor