Month: April 2016

One of the most geologically active cave systems in the United States, Raccoon Mountain Caverns makes a great family-friendly activity while visiting the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. Cave Tours allow you to get up close and personal with all the underground rock formations. The gift shop offers a plethora of geologic specimens; beautiful handcrafted jewelry; and fun, educational souvenirs for the take-home. If you’d like some real hands-on learning activities the whole family will enjoy, try the mineral panning experiences. They offer many different specimens, via your choice of gems, emeralds, fossils, and even arrowheads. Dig, sift, sort, or pan your…

Chattanooga, Tennessee is another absolutely HOT Family-Friendly Destination! Hanging out at the Chattanooga Choo Choo is definitely one of the fun things on that list! You can check out the gorgeous historic train station; and then exit towards the back to enjoy the Glenn Miller Gardens, a myriad of manicured gardens, flowers, fountains, and, of course, the train cars on the tracks! The historic train cars can be rented as hotel rooms, and many are set up for an ideal romantic evening if you happen to be looking for a lovely date night experience. And the hotel itself offers less…

Most kids LOVE trains! Mine always have! The Historic Huntsville Depot has an extensive collection of both indoor and outdoor exhibits through all eras of railroad history in and around the Alabama region. The Huntsville Depot was a passenger station until the late 1960’s. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this preserved historic facility offers great fun for all ages. Even the youngest kids will enjoy playing in the Little Toots play area! Historic Huntsville Depot is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum, and The…

Oh, what a fabulous way to spend an afternoon! Early Works Children’s Museum is a HUGE history museum, focused on the timeline of the State of Alabama, but geared specifically for kids! Hours upon hours worth of fascinating hands-on exhibits throughout a VERY well done series of rooms themed by historical era. Run an old-fashioned general store market, hear legends from the Story Tree, make music, dress up in period costumes, cook a meal over an open hearth… Spin cotton, board a wagon towards new discoveries, work on a flatboat… Immerse yourself in Black and African History, and honor the…

When visiting Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum, be sure to check out their schedule of guided tours and interactive experiences. We were fortunate enough to have a lovely tour guide share such an intimate hands-on Workshop Tour and Old-Fashioned Toy Experience with us today! We got to see how things were made, and had plenty of time to enjoy the toys ourselves! So much fun! Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Early Works Children’s Museum, and the Historic Huntsville Depot. All the units together can make…

Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Early Works Children’s Museum, and the Historic Huntsville Depot. All the units together can make a busy day of fun, or even a full and fabulous educational weekend getaway. One membership gets you admission to all 3 locations! I find this group of museums to be fairly unique in scope to have such a focus on history that is very specifically geared towards younger children. Sometimes history can feel dry, or boring, but not within the Early Works Family of Museums!…

In the very heart of Downtown Huntsville, Alabama you will find Big Spring International Park. Be sure to spend time with some of the park’s most popular permanent residents! The friendly ducks, spirited geese, and colorful koi fish! Pay stations set up throughout the park give kids a chance to feed their new avian and aquatic friends a healthy diet for just a few quarters in the slot. We visit Huntsville pretty frequently and never miss a chance to stroll along the lake and canals, feeding our hungry buddies along the way! Check out all the baby ducklings, too! They’re…

Historic Richmond, Kentucky has stories to tell from every era of American history! From the earliest Native History, to Daniel Boone and fellow explorers entering the area in the 1770’s, to the Revolutionary War, to The Battle of Richmond in the Civil War, all the way to modern times… Homes, buildings, businesses, and more, have been preserved in their states of grandeur! Consider a stop in Richmond next time you are passing through the area!

Every year our local homeschool group hosts an International Night, which consists of the students engaging in their choice of project or presentation learning about a country, and preparing foods from that country’s cuisine. We chose Cuba for our country. Some of the other kids presented food and information about Philippines, France, Jamaica, Germany, and a few others for which I don’t have photos. The evening makes for delicious food, good fun among friends, some public speaking experience for the kids, and all that yummy learning! In the first photo, you see Ribby showing off her smooth Cuban dance moves……

The Alvin C. York General Store and Home, now known as the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park, kicks off the 2016 season with remodeling, improvements, and the addition of trenches in the field. Local dignitaries and members of the York Family gathered in celebration for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Seated is George Edward York, son of Alvin C. York; behind him is Betsy Ross York Lowery, daughter of Alvin C. York; and behind her is Retired Colonel Gerald York, grandson of Alvin C. York. York, originally considered a conscientious objector to the World War I, ended up being…

A lovely day on the Lora Blevins Farmstead in the Bandy Creek region of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Click on any photo below to learn more about planning a trip to the Big South Fork Region! Located in Upper Middle Tennessee, the Big South Fork NRRA, a unit of the National Park Service, is one of the most beautiful mountain regions in all of the United States! Some of the most breath-taking scenery along hiking trails can be found here. Prettier than the Great Smoky Mountains, in my humble opinion, with none of the traffic!

Blevins Cemetery is located on the Lora Blevins Farmstead in the Bandy Creek area of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Ever want to feel the true power of history? Stand amongst the headstones. Feel their stories wash over you. History isn’t just words on the pages of dusty old books. History is the story.. Of lives, of love, of hardships, of strife… Struggle. Those that overcame. And, all too often, Those that didn’t. May they never be forgotten. Angels among us. We hear your stories. We are forever a part of you, And you, Forever a…

A beautiful Spring Day calls for a lovely hike in the woods! We hit up the Bandy Creek Loop in the Big South Fork NRRA between Jamestown and Oneida, Tennessee. Lots of unique birds and insects, as well as colorful wildflowers were also making their way out into the warm and pleasant sunlight! Check out this adorable grouse! And an even cuter tiny human!

Cave Tours are the big draw to Mammoth Cave National Park, in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. But, before or after you’ve done yours, make sure you spend some time relaxing, having fun, and letting the kids be kids! Working on a Junior Ranger Badge will have you exploring caves, trails, museum exhibits and the grounds… And in between making progress in their books, the kids were having a blast in the sunshine! These are the best moments in life. No rushing, no worries… Just the natural moments of joyful play, siblings loving one another, and LOADS of happy shenanigans! These ARE…

Hiking down the River Styx Spring Trail in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park makes for a lovely afternoon! Hiking back up, notsomuch! Ha! It was a little rough in spots on the up hill for our gang, but it was definitely worth it! Are you planning a trip to Mammoth Cave National Park? Click on any image for Resources to Help Maximize YOUR Family’s Fun Efficiency!

After an early afternoon flying kites at Cumberland Mountain State Park’s Kite Day Event, we spent some time hanging out on their playground with some of our new friends. Cumberland Mountain State Park maintains a regular schedule of fun events throughout the year for families. It is also a lovely destination for camping, hiking, biking, and paddling. If you find yourself in or around the Crossville or Middle Tennessee area, be sure to check them out. Over the years, we’ve attended Easter Egg Hunts, Birds of Prey Shows, Kite Day, and more! It’s always a great time in a gorgeous…

I don’t believe any of us are particularly GOOD at flying kites, But we sure had a blast! In all honesty, we did better than we ever have with them! Cumberland Mountain State Park maintains a regular schedule of fun events throughout the year for families. It is also a great destination for camping, hiking, biking, and paddling. If you find yourself in or around the Crossville or Middle Tennessee area, be sure to check them out. Over the years, we’ve attended Easter Egg Hunts, Birds of Prey Shows, this Kite Day Event, and more! It’s always a great time…