Showing posts with label hotel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hotel. 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

2018 Christmas Letter Activies

 Well, another year has come and gone. Hope you and your family had a good year!

We had a lot going on this year. 

Enclosed are some of the activities our family did this year. 


(We had lots of cold weather in Jan & February)

January 9, Day Trip: Hubby and I rode to Decatur Wildlife Refuge

January 15, Day Trip, Hubby & I rode to Dodge City

January 25, Attended Wade Hall Post Cards @ Florence Library 

January 31, Trip to Saraland & Dolphin Island with my friend Wanda

FEBRUARY 

Feb 1- 4 Cruise to Cozumel, Mexico with my friend Wanda 

February 1, Boarded Ship 

February 2, Fun Day @ Sea

Feb 3, Spent day at Cozumel, Mexico 

February 4, Fun Day @ Sea
February 5, traveled home 

February 9, Worked @ Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

Feb 19-21 Trip Hubby & I stayed @ Christmas Inn Pigeon Forge, TN

February 14, Valentine Brunch @ CBS

February 21, Grandson Jake Hughes's BIRTHDAY DINNER

Feb 24/25 Trip Hubby & I stayed @ Joe Wheeler Lodge for Wildlife Photo Weekend.

MARCH

March 2, Children's Museum of Shoals with Great Granddaughter Ava Grace 

March 1, Attended Get Dirty @ Library Petals & Pollinators

March 6, Hubby & Rode to Waynesboro  

Mar 8, Attended Get Dirty @ Library Vegetable Garden & Seed Swap

March 9,  Worked @ Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

On March 10, I attended the "Coloring Alabama" Class by Laura Murray at the Florence Library.

March 11, Attended Wedding Shower for Granddaughter Hannah
March 12, Attended Bi-Centennial Party, Florence @ Wilson Park 

March 19, Bought Nissan Murano @ Landers McCary Nissan Huntsville

Mar 22, Attended Get Dirty @ Library Garden Landscapes & Pest Management

March 25, Attended @ Help with my dad's 91st Birthday party @ Cloverdale Senior Center

March 27, Attended Appreciation dinner @ Killen Senior Center 

March 28, Day Trip to Huntsville with Hubby to Landers McCary Nissan, ate lunch @ Mama's Taco Community of Providence & Red Stone Arsenal  

Mar 29, Attended Get Dirty @ Library Urban Forestry & Tree Maintenance 

Mar 30, Served @ Passover Sadar @ Killen Baptist Church 

March 31, Attended Ava Grace's 3rd Birthday Party 

APRIL

April 1, Easter Sunday Service

April 3, Day Trip, Hubby & I rode to Lawrenceburg, Davey Crocket Park 

April 4, Hubby & I played Bingo at Chick-fil-a

April 7, Walking Tour Florence Federal Courthouse, Library & Kennedy Douglas Museum

April 10: Had tint put on the new car and attended the Hansel & Gretel play at the Florence Library.                                                   

On April 11, Hubby and I attended the Social Security Retirement Dinner at Red Lobster.

On April 12, I worked at Killen Bookstore from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

April 13, Stormed all day

April 17, Day Trip: My Hubby and I rode to Huntsville, UAH, Ditto Landing, and Red Lobster.

On April 20, Hubby and I attended the Hansel & Gretel Play at UNA 

April 21, Attended Blue Star Dedication, Train Depot Museum, Decatur 

April 28, Attended Walking tour, Athens State University Library, Delmore Museum & Founders Hall

MAY 

May 2, Music in Wilson Park with Justin Holder

May 7, Dolores Hydock @Muscle Shoals Library It's The Little Things

May 9, Music in Wilson Park with Mike Curtis & Garrett Mile

May 11, Worked at Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M. 

May 13, Mother's Day: I enjoyed a steak meal at Ron's Wind Chimes, flowers, a gift card, and a potted plant. 

May 16, Music in Wilson Park with Shannon Knight

May 17: Enjoyed listening to Kate Campbell at the Music Hall of Fame from 3–4 P.M. and Josh Goforth at the Florence Library from 5–6 P.M.

May 18, Attended Storytelling Festival at Shoals Theater at Legends

May 19, Attended Storytelling Festival at Shoals Theater at City Hardware

May 23, Music in Wilson Park with Joseph Baldwin 

JUNE

May 29-June 2 Trip to Gulf Shores

June 2 Birth: Anthony River Hughes, Great Grandson

June 8, Worked at Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

June 8, Wedding Rehearsal, Hannah Hughes & Chad Menard

June 9, the Wedding of Hannah and Chad Menard

June 9, Lecture of Winstons @ Helen Keller Library 1:30–11:30 A.M. 

June 10, Day Trip Nashville Airport 

June 16, Day Trip NASA @ Big Spring Park & RSA 

June 29, Crows, Chirp, & Bray Wildlife @Helen Keller Library 11–12 P.M.

JULY

July 6, Echoes and Howls Wildlife Program, Sheffield Library, 10 A.M.

July 10, Day Trip Veterans Museum & Rollo's Cafe, Huntsville 

July 13, Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

July 18, Day Trip Franklin Toured Carter, Lotz House & Carton Plantation Museums

July 23, Summer Solos with Tosha Hill 11- 30-12:30

July 24, BEHIND THE MUSIC – SONGS & STORIES OF THE KGB SERIES 1 2–3 P.M.

July 25, BEHIND THE MUSIC – SONGS & STORIES OF THE KGB SERIES 2 2–3 P.M.

July 26, BEHIND THE MUSIC – SONGS & STORIES OF THE KGB SERIES 3 2–3 P.M.

July 27 Songwriters Showcase Series #4 2–3 P.M. MARK NARMORE & 

Aug

Aug 6-8 Trip Little Rock, Arkansas 

Aug 12, A Brief History of Education in Florence 2–3 P.M.

Aug 16, Day Trip South Haven, MS 

Aug 22, Day Trip to Tupelo, MS 

August 23, Get Dirty at the Library: Fall Vegetable

August 30: Get Dirty at the Library Cut Flowers

Sept

September 2, Kept great-grandson River Anthony Hughes

September 6, Get Dirty at the Library: Backyard fruits

September 14, Worked at Book Store 9–1 P.M.

September 15, New Bethel Reunion 9–3 P.M.

September 16, Lecture on Native Americans at Indian Mound 

September 20, Kept great-granddaughter Ava Grace

September 22, Day Trip Toured Weeden House & Huntsville Depot  

Oct

October 5, Day Trip to Oktoberfest and Museum Cullman with sister-in-law

October 6, Oktoberfest St Florian

October 7, Lecture: Life in the Highlands with George Makowski 

October 9, Day Trip to Dickson, TN 

October 12, Worked at Book Store 9-1

October 14, Tuscumbia Art Museum lecture: Truths and Legends TVA

October 15, Day Trip: GPS System checked & Oil change at Nissan of Huntsville, ate at Red Robin at Bridge St 

October 19, took Ron and Ava Grace (great-granddaughter) to Home Depot, Lowe's & Halloween Store to see Halloween Displays 

October 21, Lecture at Florence Library about James VI & I 

October 24, Lecture at Florence Library, Doctors of Death, 6–7 P.M.

October 25, Class Diabetes & Healthy Cooking 11:30-12:30, Florence Library 

On October 28, I watched the River and went to the Renaissance Faire

On the 29th, Hubby and I took Ava Grace to treat Elgin

On the 30th, Hubby and I took Ava Grace to the Town of Killen

Nov 

November 1, Healthy Cooking, Florence Library, 11:30 A.M.–12:30 P.M.

November 3: Forks of Cypress Tour, Shoals Business Expo, and Cruising Wheeler Lake 

November 4, Athens Cemetery Stroll 

November 6, Day Trip Natchez Trace, Leipers Fork, and Cool Springs Mall, Franklin, TN

November 8: Cooking for High Blood Pressure, Florence Library, 11:30 A.M.–12:30 P.M.

November 9, Worked at Killen Book Store 9–1 P.M.

Nov 11-16, Trip to the Smoky Mountains with cousin Sherry & Aunt Bobby

November 16, Tidwell's Thanksgiving dinner

November 19, Took Mike for a Colonoscopy at ECM Hospital 812, Lunch at Five Guys 

November 22, Thanksgiving Dinner @ Mike's (my son)

November 24, Worked at Killen Book Store 

November 25, Trees of Christmas, TVA Museum, and Addressed Christmas Cards & Wrapped presents

November 27, Tinsel Trail, Big Spring Park with Hubby

November 28, Legend of Toyland, Roxy Theater, Russellville, with Hubby

November 29, Kennedy Douglas Art Museum Quilt Display

December 2, Trees of Christmas TVAA

December 2, Took Ava Grace to Santa Land in Elgin with Hubby

December 4, went to Nashville to see Grinch Ice, Opryland Hotel, 3 Gardens decorated for Christmas, and Opry Mills Mall

On December 7, I took Ava Grace to Killen Town Hall for the Christmas Program and to see Santa

December 13, Christmas Dinner, and listen to storyteller Dolores Hydock at Club Florence

December 15, Hubby and I attended the Leipers Fork Christmas Parade

December 17, Hubby and I visited the North Pole Christmas Tree Stroll, Madison's Magical Christmas Tree Stroll, Madison's Christmas Card Lane, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, and the Enchanted Forest Christmas Tree Stroll in Decatur, and enjoyed a Grinch Pancake at IHOP. 

December 21, Christmas Dinner at Tidwell's

December 22, Christmas Dinner at Mike's 

December 25, Breakfast at Mike's 

I journal all my activities and take several pictures, which helps keep my memories alive. 

I hope each and every one enjoys the holidays.

May the new year bring good fortune, good health, and love.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our house to yours 

PS: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2019






Me & Santa @Incredible Christmas Store in Pigeon Forge, TN 


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...