Showing posts with label Ark encounter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ark encounter. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

2025 April 7-11: The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum Trip with the Club-Diamonds in the Rough (Five Day Trip) & Diamond Tours

 Day 1: Monday, April 7:

Hubby and I stopped at Jack's for breakfast. I ordered gravy and biscuits with Diet Coke. 

When we arrived at the club around 7:30, everyone went inside to sign in, pick up their name tags, and use the restroom.

Everyone was on the bus by 8:00 A.M., and we were on the road by 8:30 A.M.

We traveled north on Savannah Highway to Natchez Trace, getting off in Lawrenceburg. We traveled north on Highway 43 through Columbia, TN, to I-65, then to I-264, and finally to I-74, I-275, and US 27, before arriving at the Comfort Inn, room 226, located at 1610 Flossie Drive, Lawrenceburg, TN. 

We stopped at Love's in Bear Creek. The building was being repaired, so they had installed a bathroom outside. We had to stand in line outside in the cold, waiting to use the restroom stalls. (3) Loves was located just off I-65 on Highway 312. 

Grilled Cheeseburger and Tater Tots 

We stopped for lunch at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Bowling Green, Ky. $14.92

Hubby and I split a grilled cheeseburger with tater tots and ordered a Diet Coke. 

We stopped at Thornton's gas station in Buckner for a restroom break. 

We crossed the Ohio River into Cincinnati. Dinner at Logan Roadhouse, 3720 Stone Creek Blvd. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hubby and I ordered Grilled pork chops, a salad, creamed potatoes, rolls, and a cookie. 

We arrived at our hotel around 8:00 P.M., took a hot bath, and went to bed. 

Comfort Inns & Suites 1610 Flossie Dr. Lawrenceburg, Indiana 

Photos

7198-19 @ 12:30 P.M. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Bowling Green, Ky

7202-7221 @4:05 04:13 P.M. Traveling Louisville, Ky

7224-25 @4:42 Thorntons Gas Station

7227-28 @ 6:28 P.M. Ohio River Tannery Island Lawrenceburg, IN 

Day 2: Tuesday, April 8:

Breakfast at the hotel consisted of gravy and biscuits, accompanied by sausage links and eggs, and served with cranberry juice. 

We depart for the Ark Encounter around 8:30 A.M. and arrive at 10:09 A.M. 

The Ark Encounter 

Our step-on guide greeted us and instructed us on where to line up for the shuttle and when to meet at the end of the day.

We got off the shuttle at the Answer Center and were on our own for the rest of the day. 

Our first stop was to ride the carousel, where I rode the camel. 

Our next stop was the Virtual Reality Experience, where we traveled back in time to meet Noah. $30.74

We witnessed the construction of the Ark and experienced the flood alongside Noah.

We walked into the ark, which was terrific. It was filled with animals, Noah and his family, and the history of its construction. Several Diamond buses were present, making it difficult to see everything. 

We skipped a lot of the ark because we were getting hungry. 

We had a buffet meal at  Emzara's Kitchen, where I got chicken fingers, salad, slaw, creamed potatoes, and pineapple cake. $36.02

We visited the Ararat Ridge Zoo area, where we watched children ride camels. It was cold outside, so Hubby bought a cup of hot chocolate. $5.29 

Our last stop was the Answer Center, where we were entertained by Stage Song, a Christian group that sang gospel songs. 

We made a group picture in front of the Ark.

We stayed at the Ark until 3:35 P.M.

When we were leaving, someone said, "I don't have my phone," so we turned around and returned to the Ark. Our leader informed the park about the lost phone. It had been left in the men's restroom. Someone at the park retrieved the phone, which was brought to our bus. Dinner at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, 3633 Springdale Road, Cincinnati, OH, at 5:00 P.M. 

I ordered chicken fingers, French fries, coleslaw, and ice cream. It was a huge plate, and I didn't even eat half of it. 

We head back to the hotel around 6:30 P.M. 

I took a hot bath, wrote in this journal, and went to bed. 

Photos:

7229 Breakfast at Jack @ 7:13 A:

7230-31 @ 7:45 A.M. Smoking Factory 

7232 @ 10:09 A.M. The Ark Entrance

7233-34 @ 10:36 A.M. Riding the carousel 

7235-42 11:04 The Ark 

7243 @ noon Lunch at Emzara's Kitchen

7244-46 @1:03 P.M. Zoo

7247-49 @2:25 P.M. True Song Entertainment 

7251-53 Group Picture

7254-55 Receipts

Day 3, Wednesday, April 9:

For breakfast at the hotel, I ate apple strudel and cranberry juice. 

Depart for the Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY, around 9:00 A.M. 

Dinosarus

We watched two 4-D Movies, and True Song entertained us. 

We visited the New Exhibit, "Borderland: Israel in the Time of Jesus," and the Allosaurus fossil exhibit.

We saw dinosaurs & Dragons, and the Garden of Eden. 

We walked through the creation Zoo, where Hubby petted the goats. We saw Kangaroos, Alpacas, goats, and other animals. We visited the Conservatory and walked through the gardens. 

We ate lunch at Noah's Cafe. Hubby and I split a hamburger and fries. We had to eat outside because the cafe was full. $25.70

We returned to the hotel to freshen up around 2:30 P.M. 

We had dinner at The Radisson Hotel, located at 668 W 5th Street, Covington, KY, around 6:00 P.M. Seven other diamond buses were also present at the Radisson. 

We were served a buffet-style meal. 

I got baked chicken with gravy, roast beef, creamed potatoes, steamed green beans, and various rolls. Each table had a large plate of chocolate chip cookies. 

All the group leaders were called to the front to showcase their work.

There was music, entertainment, and some dancing. All the Veterans were honored. 

Everyone was singing, and we sang back to the hotel. 

Return to the hotel around 8 P.M.

Photos

7256-57 @7:30 A.M. Breakfast at the hotel

7258-64 @9 A.M. Creation Museum 

7265-75 @10:22 The Dinosaur Area 

7276 @11:47 Lunch 

7277 video 

7279-80 @12:33 P.M. outside

7282-84 @2:29 P.M. Traveling 

7285-86 @6:Dinner. Dinner 

Day 4: Thursday, April 10:

Breakfast at the hotel

Leave for Cincinnati History and Natural History Museums around 8:15 A.M. 

Arrive around 9 A.M. 

We watched National Parks at the Omnimax Theater.

At the History Museum, we saw Public Landing, Cincinnati in Motion, Shaping Our City, You Are Here, and Made in Cincinnati.

You are here 

At the Museum of Natural History and Science, we saw Dinosaur Hall, the Science Interactive Gallery, The Cave, the Neil Armstrong Space Exploration Gallery, the Ice Age Gallery, the John A. and Judy Ruthven Get into Nature Gallery, Ancient Worlds Hiding in Plain Sight, Advancing Health, and the stem lab. 

My favorites were the Cave, the Ice Age, the model train, and the town buildings. There is so much to see and little time to see it all. 

Depart for the Levee around noon.

Several in our group ate lunch at  Hofbrauhaus, a German Restaurant. Hubby and I split a Munchi Sampler. $31.80

A sampling of Jagerschnitzel grilled bratwurst, and bratwurst, served with German potato salad and imported sauerkraut.

The People's Purple Bridge spans the Ohio River, dividing Ohio from Kentucky. 

The Purple People's Bridge

After lunch, we walked across the People's Purple Bridge. 

Everyone loaded back onto the bus and rode back to the hotel. Five of us rode to the nearby Walmart.

$50.91 for candy and $74.24 for iPhone connections. 

We depart for dinner at The Farm, 239 Anderson Ferry Rd. Cincinnati, OH 

Arrived around 5:15 P.M., there were several other Diamond buses there. 

We were served a buffet-style meal. I got BBQ baby back Ribs, green beans, Mac and cheese, salad, and creamed potatoes. For dessert, I had strawberry pie and Cheesecake. 

After eating, the owner's son and daughter sang several gospel songs, and we sang with them.

The owner then shared the history of the barn, Cincinnati, and the notable people who had become famous in Cincinnati. 

Returned to the hotel around 6:45 P.M. 

We've packed, and we're leaving for home tomorrow.

Photos:

7287-7387 @8:56-11:46 P.M. Cincinnati History and Natural History Museum 

7388-7409 12:04-12:16 P.M. traveling Cincinnati 

7410—7428 @12:17-12:33 P.M. Newport, KY 

7429-7436 @12:28-1:39 P.M. Hofbrauhaus German Restaurant 

7437-38 @2:35 P.M. Newport, KY

7439-7481 @2:36-2:40 P.M. Cincinnati 

7482-86 @ 2:41 P.M., Covington, Ky 

7487-97 @3:07-4:21 P.M. Lawrenceburg, IN

7499-7505 @ 5:41-6:02 P.M. Delhi Hills 

7506-7529 @7:36-7:50 P.M. Traveling Cincinnati, Addystor, North Bend, Cleves Sunset

Day 5, Friday, April 11:

We set our overnight luggage outside our room and went to breakfast.

I got gravy, biscuits, and cranberry juice.

We loaded the bus at 8:30 A.M. and began our journey home. 

We stopped at a Rest Area in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.

We stopped at Buc-EEs in Smith Grove, Ky. 

We ate lunch at Panda Express in Nashville. Hubby and I shared a large plate of walnut shrimp, broccoli, beef, and orange chicken. 

Arrive home around four P.M. 

Photos

7530 Receipts

7532-33 @10:07 A.M. Louisville, KY

7536-49 @10:2910:39 A.M. Rest Stop Shepherdsville, Ky 

7550-53 @11:04-11:11 A.M. Buc sees Smith Grove, Ky

7555 -81 @1:09- -1:24 P.M. Traveling through Nashville, TN

7582-83 @1:32-1:38 P.M. Panada Express Nashville, TN


Monday, December 16, 2024

2016 Christmas Letter Activies for the year

On January 1, 2016, Hubby and I traveled to Franklin, Tennessee, to the Thoroughbred Theater to watch the action, adventure, Sci-Fi, and fantasy movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens.


In February, I took several classes at the Apple store 

Stay Connected, Sketch, Draw, and Paint with iPad, Explore Apple TV, & Perfect Your Photos on Mac


On March 4, 2016, I toured the Rippavilla Plantation in Springhill, TN.

On March 8, 2016, My Husband and I traveled to Waynesboro, Lawrenceburg, Mt Pleasant, Columbia, and Spring Hill, Tennessee. 


On April 1 & 2, I attended Mule Day and Mule Day Parade in Columbia, TN. 

On April 5, Hubby and I traveled to Red Bay, Alabama, to tour the Tiffen Motor Plant.

On April 12, Hubby and I traveled to Elkmont, Alabama, to tour the Belle Chevre Goat Cheese Factory. 


On April 9, I attended the Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Athens, Alabama, and Earth Day in Sheffield, Alabama. 

On April 17, I attended the Athens Cemetery Stroll. 

On April 30, I participated in the Stroll at Athens State University.

On April 23, Hubby and I traveled to South Pittsburg, Tennessee, for the Cornbread Festival.

On May 20 & 21, I attended the UNA Storytelling festival

On May 2, in the afternoon of Hubbyat, Hubby and I attended Jacob and Lindsey's wedding rehearsal at East Florence Depot.

Hubby and I attended Lindsey Smith and Jacob Hughes's wedding at Oliver's Barn on May 21. 


On June 25, I attended the Helen Keller Festival in Tuscumbia, Alabama.


On June 28, Hubby and I traveled to Scottsboro, Stevenson, Menton, Fort Payne, and Section, Alabama.


On July 23, I attended several W.C. Handy Festival events.


On August 19, Hubby and I attended the Watermelon Festival in Russellville, Alabama.


On September 1, Hubby and I rode to Corinth, Mississippi, where we toured several historic sites. 


On September 5, 2016, Hubby and I traveled to Smith Lake in Cullman to attend the Sweet Tater Festival.


On September 8, I rode to Huntsville to tour the Scarecrow Trail at the Botanical Gardens. 

On September 9, Hubby and I attended a performance by Arvel Bird, a Celtic Indian.


On September 10, I attended Oka Kapassa in Tuscumbia, the British Car Show in Rogersville, and Joe Wheeler's birthday party at the Wheeler Plantation.


On October 1, Hubby and I traveled to Centerville, Tennessee, to attend the Banana Puddin' Festival, Car Show, and Quilt Show. 


On October 5, I traveled with a group of women from our church to 

2800 Pittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY, to tour the Creation Museum. We spent the night in Dry Ridge, Kentucky.


On October 6, we traveled to 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, KY 41097, to tour the Ark Encounter. 


On October 15, Hubby and I took a Monterey Fall Foliage Excursion train ride to Nashville. 


On October 22, I rode to Lawrenceburg for the Mimosa Cemetery stroll. On November 9, Hubby traveled to Huntsville to visit NASA and Bridge Street. 


On November 12, I took the Pathway to Prayer trolley Tour in Florence, Alabama. 


On November 15, Hubby and I traveled to Nashville to tour the Opryland Hotel's three gardens, decorated for the Christmas Holidays, and to walk through the ICE HOUSE, featuring carvings of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Christmas manger scene. 


November 24, Thanksgiving Dinner at Mike's with family 


On November 26, my sister-in-law and I rode to Huntsville to walk through the Christmas Tree Tinsel Trail, Madison's Christmas Card Lane, and shop at Bridge Street.


On November 29, Hubby and I rode to Lebanon, Tennessee, to tour the town and Chad's Winter Wonderland of Christmas Lights. We rode to Nashville to drive through Jellystone's Dancing Christmas Lights and then to Opry Mills for Shopping. 


On December 1, Hubby and I attended the Athens Christmas Parade.


On December 2, Hubby and I attended a prayer for Peace at Pope's Tavern, where a Christmas tree was also lit in Wilson Park.


On December 3, I attended a talk about George Colbert at the Visitors Center.

On December 5, I attended Christmas Dinner and exchanged gifts with my Church Class.

On December 7, Hubby and I attended a Christmas dinner and Christmas Program at our church.

That morning, I attended our Lady's bible Class Christmas luncheon.


On December 9, Hubby and I attended the Florence Christmas Parade.

On December 10, Hubby and I attended Dickens of a Christmas from 9 to 12, and from 2 to 4 P.M., we participated in the Leipers Fork Parade.


On December 11, I took my granddaughter's pictures for graduation.

December 12-14: Hubby and I spent a few days in Gulf Shores. We rode to Theodore to walk through the Christmas lights at the Bellingrath Gardens. We spent a few hours on the beach, watching a miniature train show and walking through Heritage Park.


On December 17, my granddaughter, Hannah Hughes, will graduate from UNA on December 17, 2016, at 2:30 P.M. with a degree in Elementary Education.


On December 24, we will have  Christmas with the kids and grandkids. 

December 19-24: Hubby is taking off for Christmas Vacation.

On December 25, my middle son will be celebrating his 47th birthday.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 


Museum that we have visited

  Dates & Places of Museums   1988 Dec 3-4, The Jack Daniels Distillery 133 Lynchburg Hwy, Lynchburg, TN 1989 Dec 22, Kennedy Space Ce...