Kentucky Vacation Ch.8: SkyLift

Kentucky Vacation Chapter 8: SkyLift (No, this is not a James Bond movie)

On that Father's Day in June,

we set out for Natural Bridge State Resort Park

where a gift of nature would please our sights

...if we could only survive the Sky Lift.

 I wasn't so sure we'd survive when I read the above sign from my seat in the sky. 

I don't know about you, but when I read that, it's telling me not to litter, unless it is myself that I throw down from heights above. Truly, unless you count the hundreds of hair ties covering a large rock that you pass on the way to the top, there wasn't much litter. Oh, and one lonely map that blew out of my grasp literally as we passed  by this sign. Oops. 

We debated taking the sky lift to the top, then those that wanted to could hike back down.

The guides said it was "strenuous" and would take about an 1 1/2 hours. 

After the hike to Judith Arch, my gang decided against "strenuous".

We'd be taking the lift on a round-trip. 

Here we go…..

Aaron and Lisa-Anna,

followed by Heather and Amy,

then it was Adrienne and Yours Truly,

with Ryan and Leo close behind, 

  and last, but certainly not  least were Mom and Dad. 

(This is them getting ready to disembark at the top).

The way to the top was actually very relaxing, even for me, and I don't like heights much. 

We did this same ride back in the Autumn 1995 with Adrienne and Aaron sitting with us. 

Aaron made the comment "It's surreal being someplace I was before but don't really remember."

Yes, the little guy in the red sweatshirt and red cap is Aaron. And the little girl in pink, that's Adrienne. 

The gentle hum of the motors, the barely noticeable swaying as the cables took the cars to the top,

the warm sun on our faces, the just-enough breeze to make it nice, the amazing views and all the green surrounding us…feeling thankful.

Once we all were off the sky lift, we set out on a trail...

…and came out on a wide, flat area that was actually the top of the bridge. 

Standing up on top, with no sides to keep you in place, I thought I'd have to worry about Ryan falling off the edge or just being too daring. No, it was my Dad I had to worry about. Interesting. 

The view from the bridge...

 …and another view...

That rock in the above view? 

We were able to walk out to it and look across the valley to see The Bridge. 

Glorious. 

More views from the top. 

While not James Bond, this could be Charlie's Angels. 

I could be Charlie. 

Or 007. 

Or not. 

I am afraid of heights. 

 These two?

Agent Mama Gray and Agent Van Chauffeur

Well disguised aren't they? 

It's the tourist vibe. 

After exploring the bridge, and bits of the many trails that could lead to the bottom, I was beginning to think we should have hiked back down. Each trail made me want to see more. One sight I saw that stuck with me was of a lone tree starting to grow out of the side of a rock wall.

Hope.

In the end, we did not hike back down and maybe the warnings about the bears may have had something to do with that.

Here's what I'll take from all of it:
1. Conquer those height fears, the view really is worth it.
2. Make life an adventure.
3. Live life on the edge but remember, sometimes getting too close to the edge means a fall.
4. Pretend to be a spy once in a while; it will get you strange looks and is always fun.
5. When all seems to be falling apart, remember the tree taking a firm hold in a rock, and hang on.

Love,
Dianne

Kentucky Vacation Ch 7: Hurrah for Dads!

Kentucky Vacation Chapter 7: A Father's Day

As it would happen, our Kentucky vacation fell on Father's Day weekend and 

I am so thankful that the two most influential father's that I know were both with me on that day. 

 It's been said that a girl will sometimes marry someone like her dad,

and while I didn't really think about this when I was dating Leo, over the years I've seen the similarities. 

 1. Handsome.

2. The mustache. Hmmmm.

3. Plaid shirts.

4. They rarely ever wear shorts.

5. They give great hugs.

The similarities don't end there. They were both dairy farmers and know how to work really long, hard hours with not a lot of pay. I have seen both of them give selflessly of their time, their money and their skills. Reading the Bible and enjoying the old hymns…yes, something else they have in common.

I remember my dad enjoying those random moments of being able to tease his daughters and his wife. He liked to see us smile. One morning, on one of our many trips back and forth to the barn in the early hours of the day, my dad was practicing with his new turkey call. I was not in the mood. Not a bit. But he kept on and eventually, he knew that in my grumpiness, somewhere there was a smile that would come out. No matter how hard I tried not to give in, not to smile, not even grin, I just couldn't help it. Dad was like that. And guess what I married?

Yes. I married a man who does that exact same thing. I can't tell you how many times I've tried not to smile because I wanted to hang on to that grumpy mood I thought I was justified to have. Leo just keeps on being a little goofy, just enough to get me to smile. It works on all our kids too. When they are in a mood, then I get in a mood, then Leo comes along and soon, we are all in a mood, but it is a much, much better one than before. Leo is just that way.

These men in my life not only know how to get us to smile, but they know how to spend time, just enjoying being with their kids, and now for my dad, his grandkids too. This trip to Kentucky gave us a chance to be together and I am so glad my parents came along. We didn't get to vacation much as a family when I was growing up so this was just icing on the cake to have them join us.







It hasn't always been all about  relaxing, sitting around bonding though. Remember, these men are farmers too. I was taught how to work by my dad (and my mom too, but this is father's day after all) and my children were, and are, being taught how to work by their dad.

Thanks, Dad, for:

1. being an example of strength.

2. being a man not afraid to be honest with himself and others.

3. always having a sense of humor

4. loving Mom in all kinds of situations and seasons.

5. letting me date Leo when I was only 15 and saying "Yes" to him when he asked for your permission to marry me.     

                                                     

Thanks Leo for 

1. Ditto (see #1 above)

2. Ditto (see #2 above)

3. Ditto (see #3 above)

4. Ditto (see #4 above, except insert "Dianne" instead of my mom) 

5. For dating me when I was 15, asking me to marry you and then becoming a daddy and being my partner in crime as we raise(d) our crew. 

(See, I told you I married someone like my dad. Crazy, I know, but with the Dad I've been blessed with, I'd've been crazy not to, don't ya think?)

Happy Father's Day
(sorry this post is 12 days after the fact….)

KY vacation…the rest of Sunday…to be continued…

Love,
Dianne

Kentucky Vacation Ch.6: Freezing in the Fairy Dust

Kentucky Vacation Chapter 6: Freezing in the Fairy Dust 

 After the hike to Suzanna Arch, and arriving back at the cabin, we all called dibs on the shower. Only one bathroom and 10 of us feels a lot like home and although familiar, doesn't make getting ready to go anywhere any easier. We rather ignored the evening meal in favor of getting dressed and really, I don't know if any of us were truly hungry at that point. I was glad we packed enough snack kind of foods and hoped everyone would just grab what they wanted.



All to soon, it was time to head out and with the GPS programmed, we headed east to Prestonsburg KY and the Jenny Wiley Theatre (http://www.jwtheatre.com). Weeks ago, when we were planning "what to do in Kentucky", we decided on seeing a play (if we could) instead of heading to either Kentucky Kingdom or Busch Gardens as they were to far out of our way for this trip. Sometimes the internet is great as it led me to this small outdoor ampitheater celebrating 50 years of productions. For our weekend getaway, I chose Peter Pan for our family to go see.                              

After getting just a little lost (like "second to the right and straight on til morning" lost) we found the amphitheater tucked away in a wooded location. In case of rain, there was a place to hold the event indoors, but tonight the stars were shining bright and the full moon from Friday the 13th was still evident. Bright and clear. Perfect.

Except it was not typical, in my mind anyhow, of Kentucky evening temperatures. I did not pack any jeans for this trip, thinking I'd safe space and besides, I wouldn't need them. Kentucky is hot.

The night of Peter Pan however, was not hot. It was rather chilly. Like, in the upper 50's chilly. That'll teach me to pack light.

In spite of the chillier than desired temperature, we had the best time. Heather finally was feeling better and I was glad she was able to tolerate the winding roads to get to Prestonsburg, about an hour's drive away. I kept a close eye on her though and when I started to see some smiles, I felt better too.

 I can't say that the lights ever really dimmed before the curtains went up and the play began because, well. we were outdoors. The lights dimmed only as the sun began to set, but the curtains did go up right on time and we were drawn into the familiar story of Peter Pan.

We laughed, we clapped, we all thoroughly enjoyed it, even my parents who I wasn't quite sure if they would actually like it. From the odd phrasing that was hilariously funny, like using the phrase "split infinitives!" as a kind of expletive, or lumping together "obesity and bunion" for another term of frustration (Captain Hook was full of them) to the frolicking Lost Boys, all was in good fun. Some of us enjoyed checking out the set and looking for those little mistakes that we all know happen, like when a prop is in the wrong place, a piece gets stuck somewhere, or like when Captain Hooks' wig was falling off and he pretended like something was stuck in it and had Mr. Smee fix it. Like I said, we all enjoyed this bit of family friendly entertainment that was reasonably priced and a great bit of fun. (I liked that part myself!)

After the play, we all trundled off to the white van where we turned west once again. Getting home late, too late for a proper supper, we all munched a little on snacks then turned into bed. After all, we still had Sunday to properly enjoy and we meant to do just that!

What I'd like to remember:
1. A theatre production is fun to go to and a great way to make a memory.
2. I'll never watch Peter Pan in quite the same way ever again.
3. When someone is sick, once they are better it's amazing how everyone around them feels better too.
4. Snacks are okay, but next time, plan meals better. Just because I am not hungry doesn't mean all the younger generation who can eat hourly isn't.
5. Always, always, always pack at least one pair of jeans when going away. Even if it is to the hottest place you can think of, pack pants.

To be continued….Sunday is yet to be blogged.
(You never knew I could make this short weekend turn into a series did you?

Love,
Dianne

Kentucky Vacation Ch.5: Foraging for Nuts and Berries

Kentucky Vacation Chapter 5:  Foraging for Nuts and Berries

(He looks kinda thrilled.)

"How bad could this hike be anyhow?" said Dianne as they marched down the road enthusiastically. 

(Famous last words.)

Jeff aka cabin owner said it was a nice walk in a guestbook journal entry. 

So far, the road to get there was nice. 

We. Were. Ready.

Or so we thought…

They made me go down into the woods first. 

You know, to check for the random snakes, spiders, crocodiles. 

Imagine, if you will, the whistling the Seven Dwarves made as they made their way down, down, down into the mine. We may, or may not, have started out whistling. But very quickly, the path became narrow, steep and at times, winding. Think "Man vs. Wild". We contemplated foraging for nuts and berries for later use. Just in case.

  

At times, the path was reasonable. At other times, it was all I could do to keep the pace set by the rest of my group, all at least half my age, as we scrambled down root-lined narrow pathways, holding onto trees, or as we scampered up inclines that occasionally had strategically placed footholds in the rain-slickened dirt.

Really, was it too much to ask of them to at least appear somewhat out-of-breath and appear sweaty?

They could do that for this not-exactly-athletically-inclined mama. Right?

The way I snuck in one momentary pause was to get them to pose on a rocky ledge.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Sneaky, I know, but it did make for a nice picture.

But, we had a mission in mind, a goal to achieve, an arch to conquer all before we had to get back to the cabin for supper and then get ready for an evening of theatre. (More on that later.)

Onward and upward we continued.

But then we'd see another amazing rock formation, another massive wall of stone rising out of the forest floor and we just had to stop for at least a quick picture.

That's pretty amazing, huh? 

I wonder how the first person ever seeing all this felt.

After two bridges, numerous slips and slides, and one last, very long incline, we were nearly there. I was bringing up the rear, huffing and puffing. If there would've been a piglet's house nearby, I would've blown it down, no questions asked. I kept saying, "I can do this, I can do this, just keep going, you're almost there…" and then just when I thought I was going to have to stop, there was Suzanna's Arch. (Her arch, my bunions.)

Suzanna Arch

(and yes, I made it, shaky legs, dizzy head and all!)

That big arch? It is balanced on this:

Yes, we sat underneath and I drank a bottle of water and ate an apple in it's glorious shade. 

After all, I needed some energy; we still had the hike back to camp. Wait! What? Hike back to camp? Now I am starting to understand what Jeff meant when he said something about taking a route back that wasn't so strenuous. How did I miss that part when I read about a "nice hike?" (Actually, we found that less strenuous route and all were in agreement: Let's not go back up that crazy mountain we just came down. Maybe they were a little done in by this walk too. I am greatly relieved by this.)

Here's what I'll take from this hike to think about:

1. The hike was worth it, not just for the arch and the other massive rocks, but for the lush green view along the way of ferns, laurel and moss.
2. Even if the forest looks a little Middle-Earthish, don't make a shriek like a Nazgul. It may make your eldest son go into defense mode. Apparently I sounded like I was stung by a bee or bitten by a snake, not like a Nazgul. Darn.
3. Not only in the Nazgul incident, but another time on this walk I realized how much Aaron has my back. Once, going down a slope (I'd say "gracefully" but that would be a lie), I felt a steadying hand on my back, and for just a moment I thought Leo was there. What a good example he has been for his boys.
4. Drink water when hiking. And something with calories helps too. See, an excuse to eat; that's always good. That's where the nuts and berries come into play. Or chocolate.
5. After the 8+ mile Cliff Walk on our Rhode Island vacation, the Ohiopyle 22 mile bike ride with old bikes that left much to be desired, and now this hike, I don't know if my family will trust my suggestions anymore for activities.

However, next on our Saturday in Kentucky agenda is another activity planned by Yours Truly.
Stay tuned to find out what.

Love,
Dianne