Fernweh, An Ache for Distant Places

Somerset is a small town in the Pennyroyal Plateau of Kentucky with just over 11 square miles. It is about an hour and twenty minutes from downtown Lexington, and two hours from Knoxville, TN.

Somerset is historically known for the 1862 Battle of Mill Springs that took place in a settlement that is now the town of Nancy, and there is a museum on the site.

Downtown Somerset is mapped around a fountain in Public Square, often called “Fountain Square” by locals.

Water features are abundant in Somerset, and even the courthouse has an interactive fountain that kids and adults enjoy cooling off in during hot summer days.

Somerset has a Memorial Park along Oak Street, right near the intersection of Main Street.

There is a chain ice cream store just down the block, a playground across the street, and it is located where the residential streets meet downtown, so it is a popular hangout for families.

Another striking fixture in Somerset is the Center for Rural Development, with its reflective sky windows and its front steps painted to look like water is flowing over them, leading to yet another mural.

Since the late 1990s, the CRD non-profit has been pursuing its mission to armor Somerset’s economic and environmental growth as well as offering public safety, health, and education courses.

My favourite brew was the Maibock on draft, and some of us tried an Ale 8 ginger soda for the first time.

Yellow Bird Bakery is a sweet shop right on the main drag, perfect for a pick-me-up while you check out the cars.

Charred Oak Grill was a refuge from the heat! We cooled off a bit but decided to sit on the patio so we did not miss any of the action.

They have a specialty menu that features Bourbon cocktails, and I love the Bee’s Knees martini.

We really enjoyed their version of the Cuban sandwich and could not believe how huge the onion rings are!

Just look at them! They are about the size of cake donuts! Try them with the Santa Fe cream sauce.

Walking along Mt. Vernon Street from the fountain will lead you to some really cool shops, boutiques, a tattoo studio, he Vintage WKND, Somerset Makers Mill, and Bazaar Universe.

This is a metaphysical/magick shop with crystals, books, handmade jewelry, art, and more. Follow the enticing scent of nag champa and treat yourself to something special.

Lake Cumberland itself is one of the world’s largest manmade lakes and has played an enormous role in generating tourism to Somerset and the surrounding area. It was created to facilitate hydroelectric power in the 1950s but has become so much more to residents.  The lake is more than 100 miles long and boasts a community recreation center and other amenities.

Somernites typically runs on the last weekend of each month between April and October, with other similar events going on in the meantime.

We arrived around 10 am, parked at a bank off Main Street, and visited the International Paranormal Museum & Research Center, then watched as the cars started rolling in and taking their places.

Kick-off took place at 12 noon, and various activities were planned through out the day.

Near the end of the afternoon the drivers all ride (or race) down the town’s main highway in a giant caravan, but if you just look around in different parking lots, individual groups of attendees often do their own thing.

Public Square and its two intersecting streets, Main Street and Mt. Vernon Street, are the focal points for the event.

Be sure to park on a nearby block or parking lot that will not be closed off between the event hours, as parking on Main Street and in most of the lots there will be reserved for those who have paid to reserve a spot to show off their cars.

In between rows of these unique beauties there were food trucks, vendors, raffles, and other events for entertainment.

Down Mt. Vernon Street past Jarfly, there was an antique swap meet and yard sale going on.

I’m just going to let you enjoy these next several photos of some of our favourite cars.

Many entrants apply the same pride and creativity to the interiors of their cars and underneath the hoods.

Some even have signs or sandwich boards that address all the most common questions they are asked, which I can appreciate as an introvert.

I particularly enjoyed seeing some of the original hood ornaments and detailing.

We all flipped out over this Nightmare Before Christmas themed truck, though it was not a classic vehicle entrant.

Other non-traditional vehicles included tow trucks and tractors like the one below.

INTERNATIONAL PARANORMAL MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER
Our second most anticipated activity in Somerset was to visit the International Paranormal Museum & Research Center, currently located in the basement level of the John Sherman Cooper Community Arts Center.

The museum hosts an array of cryptids, historical legends, local haunts, unsolved mysteries, and general spooky stuff.

Jane the Doll was donated to the museum by a couple who purchased her/it at an estate sale in Nancy. Right away they began hearing strange dragging sounds, feeling something brush against them, and other odd occurrences. Others report hearing the doll talk and ask what they are doing.Once the couple had enough of the willies, they  took the doll to the museum for good.

Gladys the Mannequin was also a donation to the museum, after the previous owner and her employees became too afraid to keep the mannequin in the store.

Gladys was known to move around to different locations after the building had been locked up for the night, and it only ramped up when they moved her into a storage space out of sight. The mannequin reportedly began startling people when they turned on lights and following people with her eyes or even winking at them.

She seems to have settled down in her new home at the museum where she is back in the limelight. Staff members have even given her a new dress and spruced her up a bit, but guests and staff still report seeing movement.

Cryptids make up a large part of the exhibits on display here.

I appreciated this Victorian Mourning Wreath on display.

Visitors will also find a random collection of metaphysical items, oddities, bones, spiritual symbols and magickal tools.

One last fun fact: American horror film writer and producer, Tommy Lee Wallace, was born in Somerset.

Wallace is most famous for directing the 1990 release of It, Halloween III, and Fright Night II and his collaborations on other features like Amityville Horror II: The Posession, The Fog, El Diablo, a whole slew of tv films in the 1990s, and many other works.

Keep your eyes open for small tributes/nods to him here at the museum.

In the area for a while? Follow me to Cave City, Mammoth Cave, Lexington, and Louisville (in progress).

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