The Travelers' Report Part 19 - Road Trip 6: Memphis

Part 19 in the series of our ongoing travels, both as a family and individually.  This continues the Hamrick family road trip, covering the start of the journey home, stopping in Memphis.  And a couple of fun side adventures.

"Our last hotel took us to Memphis, TN but we took a few pit stops along the way. Our first stop was in Louisville to visit the Kentucky Derby. I have to go back Church Hill Downs, watch the race and wear the gaudiest hat while sipping a mint julep."

Agreed. Derby is on my list of things to experience in America. The Museum and the shop were neat, but I think to really experience this I need to see a race. Or to watch a movie in the in field. We just missed one such event. Were there more time. I also need to get back to Louisville to go to the Louisville Slugger factory and museum.

We also stopped at Lincoln's birthplace in Hodgenville, Kentucky.  A nice little memorial to the President, with a very interesting structure built on the foundation of his birth home.

"Afterwards we went to the Dino World where they had several life sizes dinosaurs you walked around. Jude had to go up to every single dinosaur and growled."

Jude is at a stage where he loves dinosaurs, so this was particularly fun. He was running ahead of us to get to each one and growl.
"The final stop brought us to the Big Cypress Lodge in the Bass Pro shop inside the pyramid. This was one of the coolest hotels I’ve ever stayed in with a walk out ledge over looking downtown Memphis with its only access up the worlds largest free standing elevator."

This was a very nice hotel, set up a lot like a Gaylord hotel, but with fewer rooms. All rooms facing inward to a very decorated store in the middle on the bottom two floors. Each had a balcony so you could sit out and look over all the store and restaurant. Free cookies and other snacks in the room.

The kids had a blast getting on the ATVs and looking at the fish and taxidermy in the store. The also are daredevils and loved the elevator to the top and the glass ledge lookout over Memphis. I'm not normally afraid of heights, but have to admit, the glass floors are a little disorienting. Felt the same way in Chicago.

Next in the series, the road trip comes to an end.

The Travelers' Report Part 17 - Road Trip Day 4 The Ark

Part 16 in the series of our ongoing travels, both as a family and individually.  This continues the Hamrick family road trip, covering our day at the Ark.  Jamie's thoughts are below.  Mine will be coming tomorrow.

"It has taken me awhile to know what I precisely wanted to say about this day. The main event, the reason we planned this trip, a visit to the Ark Encounter. This was a stunning view to see the magnitude of the ark. It’s length, it’s height and it’s width were something to behold."

"It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting when I walked in. I have to forewarn you, though this was an impressive structure, I have a lot of questions. There is a John Wesley quote that I’ve heard used all my life when talking about beliefs, “In the essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.” I will be using it in my encounter with the ark.

I have mixed emotions about this visit. The Ark’s founder, Ken Ham, has stated that he wanted a “Christian” exhibit that would rival Disney World with future plans to build a Tower of Babel and a ride featuring the ten plagues of Egypt. Do we really want to make our faith a theme park? It was presented as a great ministry tool to point others to the gospel but I don’t know who else would visit the museum but Christians. For it to be viewed as a ministry it’s pretty expensive one at $48 a ticket plus $10 parking.

There were challenges to my own beliefs with regard to how it was presented. Many of the theories were presented from a very narrow Christian viewpoint. It didn’t take long to get inside when I thought I would hear the voice of John Hammond say, “Welcome to Jurassic Ark,” as the exhibits are replete with the reptilian beasts we affectionately call dinosaurs. Answers in Genesis took the approach that dinosaurs were on Noah’s ark and survived after the flood, a theory that was entirely new to me. This made for some interesting conversations afterwards."

"There were many instances where instead of providing a unifying Christian message it catered to a specific niche group. Turn the corner to the second level to see “The Descent into Darkness” section and apparently music is a gateway to sin, listing the harp as one of the instruments used to lure your poor unfortunate soul. Kids books and ark depictions are deceptive and discrediting the biblical account instead of giving liberty to the fact they are toys used to teach truth to little minds.

Once we saw the Carnotaur vs the gladiators in the arena as a part of the violence that was so prevalent in the world it became hard for me to take seriously. (We couldn’t help but want to see that made into a movie, though.)"

The above mentions are ones where I have to show a some liberality and charity too. They are non-essentials. Whether or not Rexy made it on the ark or was used to kill gladiators for a profit has no bearing on God’s Sovereignty or salvation. We can discuss it but it’s not something I’m willing to debate over and draw a line in the sand. The Ark encounter itself is still very impressive and the staff is amazingly helpful and kind. Though I may not agree with the presentation it can spark conversations on different belief systems and ways of interpreting scripture. I guess at the end of the day I have to wonder if its guests will leave with the overwhelming love of the savior or the pinch in their pocketbook?"

Tomorrow, I'll share my thoughts on our experience at the Ark and Answers in Genesis more broadly, in a post entitled A Tale of Two Scientists.

The Travelers' Report Part 15 - Road Trip Day 2 Nashville to Kentucky

Part 15 in the series of our ongoing travels, both as a family and individually.  This continues the Hamrick family road trip, covering the leg from Nashville to the rental house in Kentucky.  As before, Jamie's thoughts are in blue, with my own color commentary.

"After a good nights sleep we hit the streets of Nashville and headed over to the Adventure Science Center. Thanks to our Perot membership this amazing museum was free for us and our our nephew. They had a whole section of bodily functions which we all found hilarious especially the intestines slide wherein the person sliding represents the poop leaving the body. As you exit the slide there was a pad that made fart noises, Jude kept jumping on the sensor just to hear that sound and giggle over and over again."

This is an incredible science museum, with an amazing six-story play area in the center.  The kids had a blast, and I think Jamie and I did too.

"The departure of the museum lead us to the Goo Goo shop where you can make your own goo goo cluster. We loaded up on the variety pack (chocolate is never a bad road trip snack, or any type of snack for that matter.)"

The peanut butter cluster is definitely the best, though I was tempted by a couple of their signature creations.

"The last stop in Nashville before heading up to Kentucky was The Soda Parlor. Almost everyone has a shake but we opted for the PB+Space Jam, a delectable dish of Belgium Waffle with cookie and nutter butter ice cream with strawberry and blueberry drizzled on top of whipped cream and cookie crumbles. YUM!"

Our PB+Space Jam was dubbed a Mondae, and it was a delectable brunch.

"Lunch brought us to Bojangles Chicken n Biscuits, for a fast food joint it was pretty good. Mitch wanted to go back there ever since the last time he had it and now we all got to experience the deliciousness." 

I've been missing Bojangles since a couple of summer camps in North Carolina. It's still as good as I remember, and I think they have the best biscuits of any fast food joint.

"We did have to make a quick detour to the Jim Beam distillery. Two days on the road with the kids drove us to drink.😂 We settled on Pre-prohibition rye whiskey and for the two of us being unfamiliar with that liquor I will say we chose well. That bottle will most likely last us a long while but it is quite smooth."

"By our days end we arrived at our house in Pendleton, KY. The story of the owners is pretty amazing. They had 8 kids biologically and adopted 6 kids from Africa. At one point that three story home housed 17 kids when they also provided for two kids who needed to escape a bad situation. One thing I can say is the house exudes warmth and love and we’re so glad this is where we chose to stay."

This was a great location and an excellent place to escape and relax. The family rents out several distinct parts of their property and we would recommend.  It put us within two hours of all our travels over the next few days.  Perfect central location.

"Stay tuned for more adventures on the road!"

Next in the series - Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio