Abiding at Lebowskifest

After a few years of wanting to check it out, we were finally able to attend this year's 10th Anniversary of the original Lebowskifest in Louisville, KY.  Celebrating absolutely all facets of the 1998 cult-classic film, The Big Lebowski, it's a two-day festival held every July on the lawn of and inside the huge Executive Strike and Spare Bowling Center near the Louisville airport complete with bands performing, an outdoor screening of the film, trivia contests, costume contests, outdoor games, hours of unlimited bowling, white Russian cocktails galore, lots of Miller High Life on tap and other "What Have You's" that related to the film.  Thanks to our friends, Danny and Brenda, for coming along with us on this strange little adventure.

We "recovered" from a long night of Lebowskism late Saturday morning with a visit to one our absolute favorite restaurants in Louisville, Wild Eggs.  Our brunch was delicious.  I had the enormous and delicious breakfast burrito plus one of their signature "Everything Muffins" while Ashlee selected her favorite menu item, "Kalamity Katie's Border Benedict."  It was so good we went again before leaving for home late Sunday morning when I chose the "Chili Verde Huevos Rancheros" and Ashlee stuck with her still-favorite: KKBB.  We made fans out of Danny and Brenda as well who both loved the place.

It's "me and Liam, man!"  James Hoosier who played the non-speaking role of "Liam O'Brien" in the film made a guest appearance at the festival and was nice enough to pose for a few pictures with all of us.  Despite his lack of dialogue in the film, he gets a lot of face time as the stern bowling partner of John Tuturro's outrageous "Jesus Quintana" character.  We came to find out he actually has several Middle Tennessee ties through his family.

The festival even gave away their original Dude-mobile, a rusted out Torino similar to the one The Dude drives in the movie...only catch....you had to take it with you if you won it and no battery  was included.  The festival has been gifted with an even closer-looking to the original one that has taken its place.  A young girl form Louisville "won" the drawing Saturday evening.  The car was still sitting in the parking lot when we left Sunday afternoon....

White Russians are the signature drink of "The Dude" and although none of us had ever really had one before, we all actually liked them a lot and partook of several during the trip including some home-made ones Ashlee whipped up for the road trip north.  We got a great rate on a couple of nice rooms across the street from the festival at the Springhill Suites by Marriot making for easy access to the fun and frivolities.

Danny made a great "Dude" and was actually singled out by a fellow festival-goer as being "effortlessly cool."  We couldn't agree more.  He was also the best bowler of the bunch, rolling close to a 150 (all while wearing a robe and sandals and usually with a drink in his hand!).  Brenda, Ashlee and I were just mere followers of our "Dude" as the ingredients of his yet again, signature drink, a white Russian.  We got a lot of compliments on our group costume.  Thanks to Brenda for the rocking good idea for our group look.