Although Louisville (say “Loo-a-vul” or Loo-a-ville” or see this guide) is known for horses, the Kentucky Derby, and bourbon whiskey (all bourbon and Scotch are whiskey/whisky, but not all whiskey/whisky is bourbon/Scotch and bourbon and Scotch aren’t the same…but are both whiskey/whisky), we were there a few weeks ago for the Ironman. Our older daughter’s boyfriend was competing while we were there to cheer him on and have fun.
Who woke up one day and thought, “Hey. Wouldn’t it be fun to swim 2.2 miles, then cycle 112 miles, and follow that by running a marathon (26.22 miles)? And maybe I could get 2400 other people to participate.”? That’s how many people (maniacs) started the race in Louisville this year. I might be able to train for the cycling and the marathon, but that swim would NOT happen. I’ll stick to sprinting, thank you very much.
Louisville has a nicely compact, revitalized downtown with a section on Fourth Street that’s the happening place. As we walked from our motel a few blocks away towards Fourth Street, we passed a theater that made me break out my camera as well as in a happy dance. One look and you’ll know why. But I’ll give you three looks, the first one quintessential Loo-a-vul.
(A busy day again for me today, which means I won’t be getting to many, if any, posts until tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for bearing with me on that!)
You’ll find more doors at Norm’s site. Just view his post and then click on the link critter to let you visit doors all over the world. Yes, we have this much fun every Thursday!
This, that and the other thing 
Haven’t been to Louisville in years as we used to live at Ft Knox but your images are striking. Like your clear and correct pronouncistion. Ironman sounds grueling.
Definitely grueling, Ruth! The whole pronunciation thing is amusing. Louisville seems to be a pretty nice city. This is only the second time we’ve been there, but I’d visit again.
janet
Great street art. I wonder about Ironman too. We have a friend who was a serious competitor, but seems to have given up after one too many injury.
It’s much more difficult than doing a marathon on its own or a century (100-mile bike ride). Not my cup of tea! 🙂
janet
Not mine either 🙂
Amazing. Don’t you wonder about the story behind the last one?
🙂 Gives you something to think about, doesn’t it?
janet
Amazing street art, Janet. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like more fun than a grueling Ironman.
Even though I froze that day, it was better than being a competitor. 🙂
janet
Oh yes, you bet! 🙂
Nice!!
Thanks and thanks for stopping by.
janet
Applause to your athlete – amazing goals. Now to the doors – those are outstanding. So glad you grabbed the shots because those artists should be recognized. 🙂
There were small plaques by each door telling about the artist and door. I should have taken a shot of each of those, too, but I was in a bit of a hurry. Glad you enjoyed them.
janet
Wonderful finds! A door lover’s feast!
I love Louisville. I love the vibe of that city. And bourbon. Kentucky bourbon. Yes ma’am.
We’ve only been to Louisville twice, but I’d definitely go again when we had more time to explore and enjoy.
janet
Wonderful street art, Janet. Ironman sounds awful. Kudos to your daughter’s boyfriend for participating. On a very very good day, I might consider the bike portion, but there would have to be some good Bourbon waiting for me at the end, not the starting line of a 26 mile run.
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. My fast-twitch fiber muscles think what would be about right is a 100-meter dash, followed by a ten-mile bike ride, and then no swim at all. 🙂
I could handle a longer bike ride, but yeah, no swim.
These are terrific. You do find some fabulous doors.
These are special ones that you don’t see everywhere. Philly is full of beautiful doors, so I always “stock up” when I’m there. Glad you enjoyed these, Sally.
janet
Wow, I particularly like that last one.
It’s quite different from the others but interesting. There are more that I’ll feature on other Thursdays.
janet
I love the art! The one with the moon is my favorite. Thanks for sharing. Happy Thursday.
I could not have walked past these doors once or twice a day and not taken some photos. They’re so beautiful. There will be a couple more posts as well. Happy Thursday!
janet
Great graphics, Janet.
Ω
Some amazing artists out there, Allan.
Well, I’d definitely prefer the swimming bit to running or cycling! Great photos as usual.
Thanks regarding the photos, Georgie. Maybe we could go as a team–you swim and I could do the rest (more or less.) Better yet, let’s just help out and enjoy the day while others go crazy. 🙂
janet
Louisville is my home town! I haven’t seen those doors, though — were these at the Alley Theater?
Not sure but there’s a hotel above the theater, one of the major chains, just a block off of 4th.
janet
I completely understand the camera break-out, great finds!
Glad you enjoyed them, Vicky.
janet
These are amazing! The arm coming out of the wall is particularly attention grabbing.
We were in Louisville for Ironman a number of years ago. I loved the city and the atmosphere. It was there I was introduced to bourbon and it’s now a favourite.
Were you participating in the Ironman? Although it was cold for us, it was probably better than hot and humid for the participants, which I heard is often how it is.
janet
I have done several Ironman races, but not in Louisville. Only my husband was racing that day. It was back when the race was held in August, but thankfully it wasn’t nearly as hot that day as it normally is in August.
Of all the races I’ve been to over the years, Louisville was my favourite from the perspective of a spectator. It is VERY spectator friendly … and the energy at that finish line is INSANE! 😎
You’re so right about the energy at the end, Joanne! It was incredible. Kudos to the two of you for doing Ironmen. For a sprinter like me, it seems impossible (and undesirable.) 🙂
And I would consider sprinting inconceivable! I’m a long and slow kind of person 🙂
I understand completely. 🙂
I really liked that bottom one. Randy
Thanks, Randy. That was a special one, but they were all good.
janet
Neat doors Janet! I like the textures in the last one with the arm coming through the wall. My Mom was born and raised in Louisville, and even I lived there for a bit but don’t remember it as I was too young then. Anyway, I learned early on how to properly pronounce Louisville. 🙂
Ah, but proper to whom? 🙂 And then, since it was named for a Louis of France (Looie), perhaps Looieville is what it really should be. St. Louis + San Looie, etc. 🙂
LOL! My head will start to spin soon…wait it is already trying to keep whiskey/whiskey…bourbon/scotch straight! 🙂
Think of it as a Venn diagram, Deborah. The big, all-encompassing circle is whiskey/whisky. One small circle in that large one is Scotch; another small circle bourbon. But those two circles don’t overlap. If I were Dan, I would have drawn it and put it with my post, but it was, after all, about the doors (mostly.) 🙂 And of course, if you have too much of any of these, your head will spin!!!
janet
ROFL!! This is brilliant. You should have done the Venn diagram! It’s post worthy since so many of our heads are spinning at the thought of whiskey/whiskey- bourbon/scotch.
DO IT! 🙂
Oh I like that arm on the wall the best!
It’s very different from the rest, but so realistic.
janet
Those are seriously classy doors. Right up my street…(pun initially unintentional).
I’ve never been a big whisky or bourbon fan but I do love these Louisville doors! Ironman is a whole nuther level of masochism that I don’t understand.
My brother-in-law got the triathlon bug a few years ago and now he spends half of his life in training.
Wow, awesome finds, Janet!
Thanks, Gordon. I was thrilled to find them!
love the art!!!
and thanks for the city pronunciation guide (and whiskey info… lol)
also – maniacs for sure – just some super fit ones…
Definitely fit ones!!
janet
🙂
What amazingly realistic street art. How did the iron man go. I think no matter were the contestants come in the finish they all deserve a medal for just starting and finishing…
They did all get medals and lots of well-deserved adulation from announcers, spectators, and volunteers. It was wonderfully run and our daughter’s boyfriend did well for his first time.
janet
Pleased they were all acknowledged.
Me, too. To even try is wonderful; to finish, an great achievement.
Door art. Cool!
There are some amazing artists out there and showing their skills on doors is fun for everyone and exposure to people who might not be at a gallery or shop.
janet
Love the last photograph …. weird and scary but interesting too.
Izzy 😎
It is different, that’s for sure, Issy. They were all fun.
janet
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That hand coming out of the wall portrait is fascinating, it could look real if the entire wall is painted grey as well…clever touch eh?
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Someone did a great job. Reminds me of some of the surrealist art.
janet