Daniel Boone National Forest

Our first family vacation in almost two years. We didn't take a family trip in 2019 due to the difficulty of traveling with an infant. But with Joanna nearing 2 years old, it was time to go out again. However, we weren't quite ready to go on our next week long National Park trip, so we started looking into closer options. So when we learned that a good friend of ours was getting ordained to the ministry in Kentucky, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to visit and take a small vacation at the same time.

They live in Stearns, Ky which is right next to Daniel Boone National Forest. This seemed like a great place for a weekend getaway. We searched and found a place to stay at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. The resort any type of lodging you want, from covered wagons to nice cabins. However, they only have 1 cabin with running water. Thankfully we were able to get it for the nights we needed and so while everybody else was sleeping in tents and RVs, we were able to stay in a luxurious cabin.

We left on Friday early in the morning in order to make it to our appointment kayaking on the Cumberland River. We made it to Sheltowee Trace with just enough time to eat lunch before heading out on the river. This was our first time in a kayak and we learned that kayak's are significantly slower than canoes. Elisabeth and Julia shared a kayak, Stacy, Joanna, and Matthew were in the second kayak, and Rebekah and I were in the final kayak. The river was so slow that most of the time we couldn't tell if we were going upstream or down. But it was probably best given that it was the first time either Julia or Joanna were on the water.

That evening we watched Karate Kid and let the kids learn the joy of commercials.

Saturday was hiking day. We decided to take Eagle Falls Trail, which is a mile and a half trail that provides a gorgeous view of Cumberland Falls. It was a beautiful trail but very grueling, especially with a 3 year old on your back. I carried Julia, while Joanna took turns on Matthew and Elisabeth's back. At the end of the trail is Eagle Falls, a small stream with a nice waterfall that runs into the Cumberland River immediately downstream. The three kids played in the water for almost an hour before we ate lunch and started the strenuous trail back to the van.

Having forgot everything about taking pictures while on vacation, this was the only time during the trip that we took any pictures.

Once the hike was over we went back to the cabin to freshen up before heading to Josiah's ordination service. We left the cabin with plenty of time to make it to the church, but after 15-20 minutes on the road, Joanna decided she had had enough and got car sick. Did I mention that Cumberland Falls Road (county road 90) is notorious for being the most car-sick inducing road in Kentucky? It was quickly determined that we had to go back to the cabin immediately. Leaving the cabin over an hour late got us to the Church just in time for the sermon to start. Both Pastor Joel and Pastor Brent preached, with Pastor Brent preaching a charge to Josiah and Pastor Joel preaching a charge to the congregation. We congratulated Josiah and ate pizza.

The next day was Sunday, so we went to Lower Hickory Grove Baptist Church and listened to the newly ordained assistant pastor teach Sunday School. After service, we left hoping to make it to our church in time for evening service. Unfortunately, due to I-40 being closed for construction, we ended up taking the extreme long way around and wound up getting to Church just in time to hear the pastor say "amen".