Spring Break~Mammoth Cave Kentucky

For spring break we spent a few days down at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. I had never visited this park before but Ted had as a child. I have to admit I was pretty nervous about going in a cave hundreds of feet deep for a 2 mile walk. I really thought I would feel very claustrophobic, I guess I did from time to time but I just had to stop thinking about where we were! It was an incredible experience and I am so grateful we had the chance to experience it! It was a rather rainy day on day one but it didn't matter once we were in the cave, it stays a constant temperature and was dry. The first tour we took was a historic 2 mile, 2 hour tour. This tour offered a glimpse of salt petre artifacts (I believe this was used to make gunpowder). We walked over the bottomless pit, squeezed through Fat Man's Misery and squatted through Tall Man's Misery ( not me so much!). I tried hard to take photos but it was simply too dark most of the time as I didn't have much time to stop and and adjust my shutter speed. The next day we took the New Entrance tour which allowed us to go in the entrance found in the 1920's. This 2 hour tour was only 3/4 mile long with lots of steep stairs allowed us to view beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and the famous Frozen Niagara Falls formation. We also hiked above ground and saw wild turkey and lots of deer. In the park we even took a ferry across the Green River, it was really neat! One day after hiking we took a short drive down to Nashville Tennessee and visited the Grand Ole Opryland Conservatory and Music Row. We finished up the trip to Nashville by eating at the Wild Horse Saloon. We all enjoyed the meal and listened to the live music. Emily even took a turn learning how to do some line dancing! I have made a slideshow as there are lots of photos!

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A new decade

I just recently celebrated (three times!) entering a new decade...gulp. I thought it would hit me hard but I have decided that it is only a number. What a great time I had, not only once but three times. A few friends had talked with Ted about planning a surprise party for me, but he was worried about keeping it from me. So they planned it and then he told me about it. Quite a few of us celebrated at Alexander's Steakhouse (yummy) for a great dinner with fine food and wonderful conversation. Then on my actual birthday I thought I was just meeting a couple of girls for lunch and a few more surprised me! How fun! Then for my birthday Ted baked me a delicious German chocolate cake and we grilled out. Ted and the kids gave me a Wii for my birthday, what a fun gift for someone turning 40! I guess I am embracing my youth:)