It is SPRING BREAK and we decided to make a long weekend of it in the rolling hills of Kentucky. RA and I have been to Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, KY a few times and knowing how much the boys would love it we decided to take them along this time.
As soon as school let out on Friday afternoon we loaded up for our six hour drive north.
He's got a snack, his iPad, and his headphones --- ready to ride!
We stopped north of ATL (RIDICULOUS TRAFFIC THROUGH ATL...) to grab a quick dinner and get back on the road. We arrived at Shaker Village a few minutes before midnight and headed straight to bed.
We may have gotten in late, but the boys popped up around 7:00 ready to go! RA spent the day doing some volunteer work around the property, so the boys and I had a day to explore.
Saturday AM sunrise in Kentucky...
Heading out to breakfast!
Boys in front of our hotel building - the East Family Dwelling House, built in 1817.
After a quick breakfast at the restaurant on the property it was time for two little boys to explore.
Our first stop was the farm where we met Poco, the miniature pony.
The boys thought Poco was super cool!
Saying good morning to the chickens!
And the pigs - Sally and Lucy...
And the cows...
He loves animals.
So does this one...
Good morning, Mr. Cow!
Stopping for a quick photo on steps of one of the stone walls.
Hey Mommy!
Peek-A-Boo Mommy!
Time to say hello to the goats!
And then we checked out the lake as well as the geese and ducks that were wandering around it...
The boys and I decided to venture into Lexington for a few hours to visit a children's museum downtown.
We stumbled across the site where Mary Todd Lincoln was born and raised!
Showing off the great state of GA!
Riding a horse...
And milking a cow...
And bringing order to the courtoom...
And walking on the moon...
Zoom Tubes! The boys loved this thing. You stuffed scarves into a box that was sucking air and it sucked the scarf up through the tubes.
Ellis loaded while RF waited at the end of the tubes to catch the scarves.
Then they switched - RF loaded and E was in charge of catching. I had to drag them away from this - they loved it!
Exploring how a green screen works!
After a few hours wandering the museum, we packed up to head back to Shaker Village. We made a pit stop at Chick-Fil-A to eat a late lunch and play on the playground for a little bit.
Back at Shaker Village wandering and talking...
A good swing just has to be swung on...
"Push me really high, mommy!"
We met up with daddy after his work day was over and headed out for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. After dinner we drove through downtown and made a pit stop for a post-dinner treat.
When 'fudge' is in the name, mama has to stop in...
Chocolate ice cream cone for RF, a huge chocolate chip cookie for E, a vanilla milkshake for RA...
And homemade peanut butter pie for mama...yummy.
Sunday morning we got up early to make sure we took advantage of the gorgeous weather!
He was up early and spent a few minutes to watch a show while RA,E. and I got ready.
Sunday AM sunrise in Kentucky...
We grabbed a quick breakfast again in the restaurant on the property before heading out to explore some more.
Good morning, Poco!
Morning view of part of the cow pasture...
The property is so quiet (other than the animals) and peaceful. It's going to be a gorgeous and fun day for the Hawks!
Beautiful view of the Shaker stone wall and the East Family Dwelling...
Sweet Poco and one of the goats...
Time to explore the trails and streams of the property.
Saying good morning to the horses at the stables near our trailhead.
RA found the horse's scratchy-spot...
Let's hike, boys!
We wanted to see the Old Mill Waterfall and in order to do so we had to cross the stream. RF and daddy went first.
Then, daddy came back and got E while RF changed back into his hiking boots.
We made it to the waterfall and RA took RF and E across the stream to see the waterfall up close!
He was so excited!
Daddy and E in front of the waterfall...
Heading back across the stream (this time without holding daddy's hand - he said, "I got this, daddy!")...
We continued hiking for a little over three miles and crossed two more streams before starting the trek back towards the trailhead.
Mama and her boys hiking all over the Shaker property...
Ellis said he was tired and cold, so we stopped by one of the buildings to rest while RA walked the rest of the way to get the car and come pick us up.
Hiking 3+ miles works up the appetite, so we drove into town for lunch at a local country cooking restaurant.
And the boys found a gumball machine...
As we were heading back to Shaker Village after lunch, we drove by Old Fort Harrod State Park and decided to stop.
A HUGE Osage Orange tree...never heard of it, but the boys enjoyed climbing it.
Also on the property of Old Fort Harrod State Park is the log cabin in which Mary Todd Lincoln's parents were married. This chapel-looking building was built around the log cabin to protect it from the elements.
Ready to explore the fort!
These boys love to see new things!
Taking a look around one of the cabins at the fort.
Ellis teaching RF a lesson in the schoolhouse at the fort.
Inside of one of the cabins...
I asked RF what the little bed beneath the larger bed was for and he said, "Their dog!" Silly boy - no that's a baby's bed.
So simple and so pretty.
Saying hello to the sheep at the fort!
After we finished touring the fort, we headed back to Shaker Village. RA and the boys were going to go wander a little more, but before we knew it we were all four piled into the bed and fast asleep! We all four took a two and a half hour nap - it was glorious!
Once we woke up and got moving the boys went out to wander for a while and then we headed to Lexington to dinner before coming back to the property and walking a little more of one of the trails before sundown.
Monday morning we got up, packed the car, and started on our drive back south towards GA. As RA was checking us out of the Inn, Ellis started crying and said that he had lots of fun and didn't want to leave. A quick reminder that he was headed to Nana's house Tuesday to spend a few days with her perked him right up, though.
Breakfast time!
I love spending time with this little (big) boy...
We decided to break up the drive home a bit since we had all day to get back, so our first stop was to see Cumberland Falls in southern Kentucky.
This looks so cool - definitely have to plan to come back to see the moonbow!
Small rainbow at the edge of the falls!
Cumberland Falls!
My boys wandering the shores of the river looking for treasures and learning how to skip rocks.
A little more of our drive found us at an exit with a Cracker Barrel around lunch time - time for dumplings for this boy!
He fell in love with this dang chicken at Cracker Barrel...
Our last stop was at the Mayfield's Dairy Plant in Athens, TN! We arrived just in time for the last tour.
The end of the tour was met with ice cream samples for everyone!
A stop for gas + a snack for the boys made the remainder of the drive back to Covington bearable. RF is in a booster seat now and we've put him on the back row so that he and E will hopefully bicker less. He created himself an organized little space for his food, his chicken, and his iPad.
Traveling with kids is exhausting, but knowing that they enjoyed seeing Shaker Village and all of the other locations we stopped along the way makes it totally worth it.:-)
