As we were packing up, the kids kept migrating toward each other, knowing that this fun weekend was coming to an end. A few more laps around the campground, and it was time for goodbyes.
Each family started to peel off and head for home, as we were getting started on the solo portion of our trip. Thanks again to the Reinkes & Gentrys for a great weekend, and Brown County State Park is definitely on our return trip list.
Reinke had led a kid expedition earlier in the morning to the nature center, and the reports were good. Jordan is all about anything to do with nature (it's working!!), so we decided to hook up the Jeep and head over to the nature center with the full travel setup intact. Once there, immediate shenanigans...
Followed by a really cool birdfeeder/birdwatching setup pulling in everything from hummingbirds to fat doves to thieving squirrels. Its amazing how much of a class system exists among birds - someone needs to do a deep dive thesis on the segregated housing situation in their world. I digress...
Of course we found a nature trail, and Jordan's newfound affinity for hiking (more on that later - too bursting with pride) we decided to do the full loop. Doing a hike with 25 marked locations without the accompanying guidebook forces the imagination to work a bit, but we managed just fine. Here is one of the eleventy billion "Dad! Look at this" moments from the hike.
Having our fill of Brown County for the day, we turned our sights toward our next destination, Cumberland Falls. We knew very little about it, other than that it is allegedly slightly larger than Tahquamenon Falls back home, and that it wasn't in Ohio (an important prerequisite, there is nothing of value in or about that state).
Our GPS was very confused, as it was unaware of the construction of this bridge over the past 5 years. The GPS narrator chick took an aggressive turn with her 'recalculating' as we were crossing the Ohio River on 265.
One new development of note this year. This little monkey adding her commentary from the bowels of the big truck as we are traveling. As you can see from that smug little grin, she had just unleashed some clever dig about something I had done. Again, she has all of my worst traits - magnified. Mankind - I am sorry, and brace yourself. The snark is strong with this one.
We drew closer to our destination, but the dreary weather and thought of firing up the grill in the rain caused us to start searching out options in Lexington. We settled on the growing empire of Hopcat, which used to be a mainstay of ours back home when Kimberly worked directly above it.
After a quick fix of crack fries and mac & cheese, we were off. But not until a certain someone started striking debutante poses while twirling her umbrella. I am screwed.
On our way out of town, we came across this little gem. I could do some actual research and find out why someone would locate a Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky but I prefer my theories* instead.
1) It was created as a movie set for a failed Will Farrell/Mark Wahlberg buddy movie and just left there after audiences saw The Other Guys, Daddy's Home, or Daddy's Home 2
2) Adam Sandler demanded it's construction after finishing Hotel Transylvania 2 and realizing that animated movies are an even easier way to mail it in than filming Grown Ups 3
*of course I know how prestigious it is, how many presidents/senators have gone there, and that it has been around since 1780. Still a ridiculous name.
Immediately following Transylvania U, I give you....
DONK! PS - it's for sale.
The rest of the trip - this.
Upon arrival at our campground (owned and run by a dude named Smurf), we found another nature trail.
and some cool bugs (filed under the vastly growing category of "Dad! Look at this!")
Under the fading light, we set up for bedtime and I started to research biking trails in the area, not realizing that we were mere minutes away from the Sheltowee Trace trail. Sometimes dumb luck beats planning.
Day 4 - Cumberland Falls. Engage.
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