Carter Caves, Kentucky

We decided to do an overnight camping trip and check out the area. We went to Carter Caves State Park about an hour away in Kentucky. They are a lot like the Lehman Caves in Nevada that I went to as a kid. To say the kids were excited was an understatement. They loved every minute of it. We set up camp and then went on a tour in one of the caves. That is one of the best things you can do on a hot muggy day! It was nice and cool in the caves.We had a simple dinner and went on a hike to see a naturally formed bridge out of rock that has a paved road on top.Gavin found himself in "tent time" a lot, as he did not want to stay in our campsite. We taught the kids how to play "War."

Makenzie really wanted a fire. We didn't plan on one, so she scrounged up enough wood to build a small one. She was excited to learn a few things, including using matches all by herself. The lightning bugs came out full force at dusk. Makenzie is our professional bug catcher. I don't know how she does it, but she catches flies to small birds ALL the time! We only had a bag for her to catch the lightning bugs in. She did release them by the end of the night. When Gavin saw the lightning bugs, he didn't understand how their bums lit up. He thought it was fire and tried to blow it out!

We got the kids glow sticks, which was a big hit. We spent a good amount of time sword fighting and baton twirling. The campground has a weekly dance held at a pavilion. We stopped to go to the restroom and decided to check it out. Makenzie was begging to dance. There were mostly teenagers there, but there were some families with younger children. I let her hit the dance floor, and that is exactly what she did! She danced her little heart out. Tyler and I just watched her with amazement and laughter as she moved her little body around. I wonder where she gets most of her moves because she is pretty good!

We had a wonderful time and something we plan on doing more this summer. We found out that Tyler has to do call at the hospital ever other weekend, so that is something we will have to work around.