Vacation Cabin

 

The cabin we stayed at is privately owned and we rented it through VRBO. It was right beside another rentable cabin too. The other cabins, houses, and trailers, were mostly occupied by retired residents. You could tell it was a close-knit community, where the residents ride around on golf carts and stop to yell  their latest observations to other hard-of-hearing residents. I found enjoyment listening to them while sitting on the front porch. :-) They all went to bed relatively early too, which is great for a family with young kids.

The cabin was located between two small towns, about 15 minutes to either one in either direction from the cabin. We read there were stores and restaurants there, but we didn't have a need to go find them. I cooked and froze our dinners to bring with us. We took a ton of groceries. There were small convenient stores relatively close, including Dollar Generals, so we were able to replenish milk and eggs as needed.

There were fun games, an antique xBox, and a pretty good DVD library. Hendrix's favorite xBox game was Chomp Chomp. ;-)  We watched Goonies, Robots, and Rudy. Zane found a set of yard hockey sticks, so they used tape to make pucks to hit across the loft, often hitting it over the railing and begging for someone to throw it back up.

The walk to hang by the lake was short and easy. We were close to Amish communities. The road back to the cabin was narrow and limited, lined with rows of corn and cattle in fields. Almost every day we noticed the cattle wading in the ponds. And it was disappointing to see that someone plowed their golf cart through several yards of mature corn stalks.

Surprisingly there were hardly any mosquitoes. I don't think I got one bite and I didn't use repellent. But there were little fly-like gnats that liked to hover near the side door. We had a lizard that also lived by the back door -- pretty smart little guy, feasting on the gnats there.

I would consider staying there again!

Heading off on a family vacation . . .

We headed off to Barren River Lake, Kentucky, closest to Scottsville, and in the middle of July. We took off right after a very busy time for Daddy at work, in summer classes and VBS number one. We ended up in a spot directly across the lake from the beach and also the marina.

It's not too long of a drive, but enough of one to knock out a three-year-old. :-) We planned to stop at Bernheim Arboretum and Research to check out three unique forest giants. Apparently they are only to remain for 3-5 years, so if you get a chance, check them out if you're heading that direction! The park guy that shared with us said the giants were created by several Danish artists and an artist from California. 

The first one we visited was a short walk behind the Visitor Center. It was Little Nis. On the way to visit Little Nis, we walked by a bunch of turtles that were feeding and active. It was fun to see.

When we went up to Little Nis, Vanessa fell in love. The experience left her determined to find a  husband to let her to do this kind of art. They will buy a big property and Vanessa will create her own creatures.

"Photosynthesis" art!

The above was a variation of a crescent. I can't remember the title, but Zane felt like it was the perfect spot to stick his body. :-) Zane would have been content just staying here. He was a little antsy and didn't want to hike in the heat. basically the last day of the heat index warning days, and he wanted to get to the cabin. He pulled through though. Hendrix was just waking up and wondering what we were doing. He perked up quickly and was eager for the adventure.

I think Zane decided there was a payoff for meeting Mama Loumari. We learned that she is expecting, and tucked behind her head was a ring of baby shower gifts. A sign told the kids they could climb on her legs but they were not to go up on her stomach. 

The baby shower gifts were perfectly awesome.

 After hearing about the artists' approaches to molding and shaping bourbon barrels into the forest giants, the park guy shared a shortcut to Little Elina, to get us out of the heat. He explained that it's the path the artists and workers use to bring in and work on the pieces.

Vanessa gifted Little Elina with paracord keychain she had made in Girl Scouts. We're wondering how long those gifts will remain . . .

When we finally made it to the cabin, Hendrix was over the moon to pick out his bedroom. Funny thing, though, he didn't ended up sleeping in this one. :-)

During the ride down to Barren River Lake, Vanessa spent about an hour or so finger knitting what she ended up calling her sausage. She quickly knitted a short one  for Zane once we settled in.

 The kids dove right into the games at the cabin.

And once everything was in it's place, we ventured down the street to the shoreline of the lake.

Vanessa's 12th

Before Vanessa was allowed to color her hair for church camp, she had to take a few intentional b-day pics for me. :-) She loved the idea of posing with some of her favorite things. Skar is now 6 years old. And he loves to come out for adventures. And she loves her stuffies, the things I personally believe will always tether her to childhood. Such precious memories . . .

I'm not sure what to think of 12. She's been teetering on acting like a little adult for a while now. She's good at being carefree and comes out beaming when she's had time to venture into her most joyful utopias.

We've been gearing up for the ups and downs of teenhood for a while, and we plan to maintain our momentum. We're probably extra blessed in that she seems to have a strong, admirable moral intuition. She tests boundaries as any kid will do, but only to seek meaning and clarity on her purpose. And God has a hold of her heart, which provides such comfort.

She likes to have her parents around, even after we've done something cringey. She values some sarcasm but doesn't feel her little brother is quite ready to use it, so she has many understood unspokens between just us. She's an amazing daughter, big sister, and friend. I know Zane and Hendrix are extra thankful for her too.

Vanessa, we're very thankful for you! Happy 12th birthday!!