Day 361: 12/28/13- Christmas on the Dandi Farm

Day 361: 12/28/13- Christmas on the Dandi Farm 
New Thing: Christmas on the Dandi Farm
Inspiration: Dad, Andi, Maddie, Ken and D.          
Time: A very fun day
Bottom Line: It's a Dandi!   

He put it together and everything-and branded his initials on it. Classic DTD.

Reflection: Christmas fun at the Dandi Christmas Tree farm (a.k.a.- Dad's house). He and Connie got me a new hive!! It's all the buzz. Thank you guys, I love it!

Day 187: 7/6/13- Give my Little Brother a Nuggie

Day 187: 7/6/13- Give my Little Brother a Nuggie   
New Thing- Give my Little Brother a Nuggie               
Inspiration: Ben, Dana                      
Time: A few seconds           
Bottom Line: That Ben is a good sport. 

Reflection: Before my Dad remarried, I never had a little brother to give a classic nuggie to. And then my step-brother Ben came into my life that that has all changed! While we were out visiting the family for Dad's birthday (yeah Dad!), Ben was gracious to let me give him one. For those who may not be associated with this classic sibling prank, here is the definition:

nuggie: A form of punishment used to assert dominance in a social structure, usually given when a lower person does or says something stupid or annoying. It consists of rubbing of the knuckles hard against the skull to cause moderate pain. Usually the head is held stable with the weaker arm, and the nuggie is given by the stronger arm.

Scarlett tackled her younger brother, grabbed him by the head and gave him a nuggie.

It seems like this is something that only little brother receive from their older siblings. It was very fun and we bonded. It was my first nuggie, but Ben could, sadly, not say the same. Love you Ben!

Day 144: 5/24/13- Hike with Dad!

Day 144: 5/24/13- Hike with Dad!       
New Thing- Hike with Dad on a new part of the Horseshoe Trail and use gaiters        
Inspiration: Dad     
Time: All day                          
Bottom Line: We hiked to quickly 

Cold, wet and having a blast!

Reflection: As you may remember from the first year of 365 alive, Dad and I love to hike. We have been hiking ever since I was a little girl. Well, today we were heading out to do a different part of the Horse Shoe trail that we had never been on before, and as you can tell from the full pack that you see on my back in the picture above, we were planning on being out for a few days. However, we ended up hiking like 11 miles in 6 hours and hiked ourselves out of the whole trip we had planed. Since we couldn't find a place to set up camp, it was just as well, but I was bummed to be done so soon. I did try out hiking with gaiters for the first time which worked like gangbusters with the wet underbrush. Love you, Dad!

Day 143: 5/23/13- Using an old Bottle as a Plant Feeder

Day 143: 5/23/13- Using an old Bottle as a Plant Feeder      
New Thing- Using an old bottle as a plant feeder       
Inspiration: Dad     
Time: About a second                          
Bottom Line: very cool!

Reflection: My Dad came over today to get ready to go on our hike tomorrow and worked a little of his gardening magic by taking an old bottle and using it as an automatic flower box feeder. Just fill it with water, stick it in the dirt and it will water for a week. Thanks, Dad!

Day 123: 5/3/13- Visit From Uncle Darryl!

Day 123: 5/3/13- Visit From Uncle Darryl!             
New Thing- Visit from Uncle Darryl                   
Inspiration: Dad, Andi, Darryl                                    
Time: A few hours            
Bottom Line: Abide. 

(Pete, Darryl and Tracy- This pic is circ. late 70's-early 80's when they were roommates. So. Cool. I stupidly forgot to take a picture when Darryl was here, so I went old school.)

Reflection: Today, we had a visit from my Dad, Andi and Uncle Darryl! Darryl is my Dad's twin and I have always thought of him as one of the coolest people I am related to. He is like The Dude. We had an awesome time walking around the property and just getting caught up. I don't think I have seen him since Ali's wedding in 2010. Way to long a time. Love ya, Uncle Darryl!! 

Day 103: 4/13/13- Beekeeping class at Harriton House

Day 103: 4/13/13- Beekeeping class at Harriton House                                      
New Thing- Beekeeping class at Harriton House   
Inspiration: Beekeeping, Mainline School Night                  
Time: Several Hours 
Bottom Line: It was a great day for beekeeping. Varroa mites never sounded so interesting. 

Learning about bees.

Reflection: This morning I attended a really interesting beekeeping class at the beautiful ground of the historic Harriton House. I learned alot of scientific and historical facts. For example, you can use powdered sugar to combat varroa mites (perhaps the largest plague on honey bees today) and that Charles Thomson (Harriton's best known occupant most famous for his role as the first and only Secretary to the Continental Congresses) designed the Great Seal of the United States. Now THAT'S a satisfying morning of education!

God help me, I am turning into my father. 

Day 90: 3/31/13- Easter!

Day 90: 3/31/13- Easter!                             
New Thing- Easter and D. singing in the choir for Easter service.             
Inspiration: Easter           
Time: All day                 
Bottom Line: Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen indeed, Alleluia! 

Reflection: Today is Easter!! Alleluia! I have to say, after such an intense Lent, I felt particularly enraptured during the service this morning. It was sheer beauty and love--the people, the music, the service, and the joy of Jesus' triumph over death made my heart swell. even sang in the primary choir (video below). Dad and Andi came to have lunch (and talk bees ;) and then I followed it all up with an Easter coma nap. Bliss and Salvation all in one day. 

 

Day 56: 2/25/13- Ski Day and Mom's Birthday

Day 56: 2/25/13- Ski Day and Mom's Birthday    
New Thing- Ski day with new mittens and Mom's Birthday Celebration Dinner   
Inspiration: Mom, Ali, Dad, Doug     
Time: All Day 
Bottom Line: Family Fun!

Doug, Me, Dad, Ali

Reflection: Today, Ali, Doug and Dad and I headed over to Elk Mountain for a great day of skiing fun. We had such a great time and I was able to try out my new ski mittens that Dad gave me for Christmas. You may remember that I have a long history with my ski gear. (Here is the link to the last ski post when I had new-to-me skies from Ali and the crazy back story.) These mittens are replacing a pair of gloves that I have had for 21 years. They were the first ski gloves I ever owned and I had only had them for a few weeks when our puppy, Culley, chewed up the thumb. Then the next time I wore them, the hole he had made was made much worse by using a rope tow at Mt. Tone (or as it became known in our family: "Mt. Death" because of one terribly ill-fated trip we took there when my sister was learning how to ski. It was exactly two slopes--the bunny trail which was the bottom of the expert trail. It. did. not. go. well. Ali was crying within the first few minuets and then she and I struggled to get up the rope tow that left several children in a pile when one would fall down causing a domino effect. Mom--in the one-and-only time I ever saw her ski--was stuck on the ice hill and it took three different instructors to get her down. Meanwhile, my father and I continued to ski by them. Nice.) So, Dad's plan was to slap a piece of duct-tape over the hole and there it stayed until today. The new mittens were excellent. My hands never knew that they could be this warm.

After that fun day, I headed over to see Mom for her birthday! We had a delicious dinner and even nicer tea that she had won. Then we talked the night away. Sorry I don't have any pictures, but Ali was the one with the camera. Thanks, Mom, for the lovely end to a great day. Happy Birthday!

Here we are last year--notice the lack of gloves? It was a warmer day, but my gloves weren't making much of a difference anyway. What with the hole and all.

Day 370: 1/5/12- Natural Organics Tinted Moisturizer/ Top Exercise Related Posts from 2011

Day 370: 1/5/12
New Thing: Natural Organics Tinted Moisturizer/ Top Exercise Related Posts from 2011
Inspiration: 365 Alive, New Product             
Cost: $5 (on sale)    
Time: About two seconds                
Bottom Line: Nice!

Reflection: I tried a new moisturizer today that is organic has a ton of other good stuff. It also has SPF15 and is slightly tinted so I do not even have to wear make-up. I really liked the way if covered and felt very light. A perfect way to blend beauty and Eco-stweardship.

I tried to keep things interesting in my exercising routines this year. Since exercise is one of the ways I stay sane, it was great to try new stretch both my body and mind. Here were some of my favorites:

• Day 283: 10/11/11New Thing: Bike Buggy-This was a day for adventure. D. and I took the the streets and peddled our way around the town.
• Day 290: 10/18/11New Thing: Second Day of Fall Hike-Halfway AT Mark   -Dad and I love to hike and this was one of our best. On this day we made it to the half-way marker of the Appalachian Trail.
• Day 255: 9/13/11New Thing: NYC Kayaking Adventure!  -Even though this day involved Kara, it was truly amazing to see the NYC skyline from a small kayak. The rest of the day was full of new things as well.
• Day 219: 8/8/11New Thing: Kayaking on the Susquehanna with Ali!-Spending the day with one of my favorite people in one of my favorite places. What could be sweeter?

These were all great, but yoga and running really stood out for me as adding new dimensions to my spiritual life as well so they get their own special mention: 

• Day 355: 12/22/11New Thing: Winter Solstices Yoga Advent Spiral  -Most amazing yoga of the year on the longest night of the year. 
• Day 230: 8/19/11New Thing: Try Mysore Ashtanga Yoga-This new practice will stay with me for a life time. It has helped me with my meditation and I can actually touch my toes for the first time ever! 
• Day 168: 6/18/11New Thing: Run a 10K Race--and Take the Sliver!-Sliver, Baby!!!
• Day 171: 6/21/11New Thing: Celebrate the Summer Solstice by Setting Fire to Disappointments -This was a great way to start anew in body and soul. 

Day 367: 1/2/12- Start "Fit Book"/ Top 3 Food Posts from 2011

Day 367: 1/2/12
New Thing: Start "Fit Book"/ Top 3 Food Posts from 2011                      
Inspiration: 365 Alive, New Year's Resolution           
Cost: $0 (Christmas Gift)   
Time: A few minuets              
Bottom Line: Time to get fit!

Cute little fitness tool.

Reflection: So, I figured that if I decide to go ahead with this project for another year, I had better get started on those new things now. Have to be legitimate after all. Today, I started using a new fitness aid called "fit book" which is a cute little workout log. I normally use an online tool for this kind of thing, but this one has all that you could want in one handy little book. Since I am one of those people who always has exercise and fitness new year's resolutions, this will come in handy during the following weeks.

Now, back to the countdown. I have had some amazing meals this year. Honestly, I don't think I have ever eaten so well. Part of that was being willing to try new items that would not normally be on my plate, which is a good metaphor for life.  So, here are my top 3 food moments of this year:

1. Day 365 12/31/11 A Sweet End to a Sweet Year- On the last day of 2011, the three of us stopped off at Hershey, PA and had our picture put on a chocolate bar. This sweet memento was a perfect way to commemorate a year dedicated to love and heartiness in all forms. 
2. Day 327 11/24/11 Organic Thanksgiving at New House- As always, Thanksgiving was a wonderful celebration this year with Doug and Ali. But we had even more to be thankful for this year since it was the first holiday celebrated in our new house in Wayne, PA. To top it all off, almost the whole feast was organic which blended in deliciousness with the commitment made to Eco-stewardship for this endeavor.  I can still taste that turkey. 
3. Day 251: 9/9/11 New Thing: Make Ice-cream, Re-Learn How to Knit, and Split an Apple with my Bare Hands!  - Not only did I feel like a superhero by being able to split an apple with my bare hands (thanks to Ellyn), and not only was the ice cream (made with extract from organic mint from my garden) supper tasty (thanks to Andrew), I remember this day as being one of the most pleasant afternoons spent over at my friend's house all summer. I really miss you guys, and this kind of home-spun fun shows why. 
4. Day Forty Nine: 2/18/11- Watch My Father Prepare Dinner - ok- I had to add this one for the sheer magnitude of it. It still blows my mind.   

Special Sub Category: Food and Spirtultiy
As I was looking over all the "food" post from the last year, I really felt like I had to add this sub-category since I was very suprised by the many ways food entered into my prayer life this year. Yet, since my theology is so centered around the incarnation (God dwelling with us), this may not be that surprising at all. After all, many of Jesus' ministerial moments are centered around food and the impact that our bodies have on our lives. Anyway, there were so many of these kinds of entries that it definitely garnered it's own mention:

• (#3) Day 127: 5/8/11- CREDO Day 7: Early Morning Lake Logan Canoe Ride, Massage & Finale CREDO Plan- This was the celebration meal from the most important day of my Clergy CREDO Retreat Conference. The whole day was filled with reflection and sabbath rest. Since we were in North Carolina, we were treated to true Southern BBQ. I am pretty sure that this was the best meal I have ever had in my whole life. 
• (#2) Day Ninety-Six: 4/7/11- Mindful Eating Meditation - When I started this meditation, I thought I knew what to expect--but actually wound up in tears instead. 
• (#1) Day Sixty: 3/1/11- Celebrate The Feast of St. David of Wales with Soup, Song, and Going Sans-Meat- Fasting was a very big part of my year in 2011 which is a definitely change for me. I will have more to say about that in a later post about Spirituality. However, I felt the need to highlight this post as it is a true Holy Spirit moment. I have never spent any time at all thinking about St. David of Wales until I decided to go on a meat and sugar fast to commemorate his dedication to ascetic living. Since it was a clergy day, I also had the opportunity to celebrate his feast with Eucharistic and Welsh hymns. Flash forward five months when I hear, out of the blue, about a church in Wayne that is quietly look for a new priest and that said church just happens to have St. David of Wales as it's patron saint. How's that for an awesome food moment?!
  

Day 366: 1/1/12- Try Nothing New/ Top 3 Funniest Posts from 2011

Day 366: 1/1/12
New Thing: Try Nothing New/ Top 3 Funniest Posts from 2011                      
Inspiration: 365 Alive          
Cost: $0   
Time: All day             
Bottom Line: Relaxin'

"Balloon-Head" liked this post as well.

Reflection: This year has taught me that the gift of laughter is one of the things I love most about my family. These three post really show that and, for me, they were the most fun posts to write all year. My family is so consistently funny that it was hard to pick just three but here are what I felt were the top funniest post of 2011:

• (#3) Day 48- 2/17/11 Skiing with New (to me) Skis!- On this day Dad, Ali, Doug and I headed to Elk Mountain to try out the new (to me) skis that Ali gave me. Hilarity (and a ski crash) ensued. 
• (#2) Day 15- Finish Delia's Baby's Scrapbook-  As inspiration to finish Delia's baby book, I looked to my own collection of happenings and history gathered by my mother. I have to admit, I was pretty surprised at what was considered "noteworthy" that first year of my young life.
• (#1) Day 108- 4/19/11 Make Easter Bonnet Headband for Delia- This post blended one of my favorite craft projects from the year with one of my funniest memories of all time. As I put together an Easter headband for Delia, I was reminded of the time that my Mom "made" me a "bonnet" of my own for my nursery school's Easter Parade. As you can see from the picture above, this did not end well.

Day 364 (some how I misnumbered- how disappointing is that?!): 12/30/11- Christmas At Dad & Andi's

Day 364 (some how I misnumbered- how disappointing is that?!): 12/30/11
New Thing: Christmas At Dad & Andi's                  
Inspiration: Dad, Christmas          
Cost: $??   
Time: All day             
Bottom Line: A very, merry final Christmas.

Reflection: Ken, D. and I piled into the car today to have our Christmas celebration with Dad and Andi out in Boiling Springs. I think what I appreciate most about my family is the way we can all sit around, laugh, talk, and tell stories for ever. We are definitely the kind of family that has our back-catalogue of remembrances named and filed, ready to be shared again and again. I love you guys. 

Day 340: 12/7/11- A Tour of Winterthur

Day 340: 12/7/11
New Thing: A Tour of Winterthur                     

Inspiration: The Women's Ministry Group   
Cost: $0 (Thanks to the generosity of the group!) 
Time: Several Hours  
Bottom Line: A beautiful tour of an American Palace

Reflection: Today, the St. David's Women's Ministry Group, my Dad, and I went on a fantastic tour of an American Palace and former home of the du Pont family: Winterthur. Here is the description from the website: 

Almost 60 years ago, collector and horticulturist Henry Francis du Pont
(1880–1969) opened his childhood home, Winterthur, to the public. Today, Winterthur (pronounced “winter-tour”) is the premier museum of American decorative arts, with an unparalleled collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America between about 1640 and 1860. The collection is displayed in the magnificent 175-room house, much as it was when the du Pont family lived here, as well as in permanent and changing exhibition galleries.

Winterthur is set amidst a 1,000-acre preserve of rolling meadows and woodlands. Designed by du Pont, its 60-acre naturalistic garden is among America’s best, with magnificent specimen plantings and massed displays of color. Graduate programs and a preeminent research library make Winterthur an important center for the study of American art and culture.

Time Magazine calls Winterthur one of the "Top 100 places to see before you die" and I can see why.  This was an amazing tour. We started with a guided drive around the impressive grounds. The meadow boasts the largest oak in all of Delaware. We then moved to the mansion which was decorated for Christmas and holds the astounding antique collection. The group who went was lovely, and the best part was having Dad there to share it with. Thanks Dad, and thank you St. D's WM for this great time!

Day 291: 10/19/11- Third Day of Fall Hike- Boiling Springs

Day 291: 10/19/11
New Thing: Third Day of Fall Hike- Boiling Springs                   

Inspiration: Dad and the Appalachian Trail                  
Cost: $0
Time: About 10 miles
Bottom Line: Home of the Bubble Boy

The Bubble

Reflection: Today we finished up our hike with a visit to my Dad's new hometown of Boiling Springs, PA. Here is the Wiki description:

Boiling Springs gets its name from the natural artisan well springs located in and around the town, the most prominent of which is known as "the bubble," a name the Boiling Springs High School has taken on as its mascot. Another story of the name comes from how the lake in the center of the town steams (as if boiling) in the winter, as the water in the lake stays at a constant 52 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius) year-round. The town is situated near the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail, and a regional office of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is located in the center of the town. Boiling Springs is the first town in Pennsylvania and currently one of nine towns in the nation, to be designated as an Appalachian Trail Community.

It is a beautiful little town and my step-sister Maddie swears that their mascot truly is a bubble. We didn't get rained on until the last hour of the hike and we could actually hike right up to Dad's house from the trail. I had a wonderful hike which was good for the soul. Thanks, Dad, for being the best father a girl could ask for.

Best of luck to SOBO Through Hikers Nola, Super Turtle, and BMW who we met on the trail.

Day 290: 10/18/11- Second Day of Fall Hike-Halfway AT Mark

Day 290: 10/18/11
New Thing: Second Day of Fall Hike-Halfway AT Mark                  

Inspiration: Dad and the Appalachian Trail                  
Cost: $0
Time: All Day-about 12 miles
Bottom Line: "Ohhhhh, we're half way there!"

Reflection: Today we made it to the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail with is in Pine Grove Furnace. PA. It was pretty inspirational to read the log book and hear the stories of the select few people who have tried to hike the whole trail this year. Trekking the whole AT is on my life's "Bucket List" and some day I hope to be able to be standing at this point knowing I had only 1090.5 miles to go.

Day 289: 10/17/11-First Day of Fall Hike-Pack and Stove

Day 289: 10/17/11
New Thing: First Day of Fall Hike-Pack and Stove                  

Inspiration: Dad and the Appalachian Trail                  
Cost: $0
Time: All Day                                        
Bottom Line: So good to be back on the trail!

New stove and pack!

Reflection: Today is the first day our fall hike! My Dad and I have always loved hiking together (in fact on my first hike, I carried in my own diapers--true story) and this is the first time we have been out all year! Today we went about 11 miles on the Pine Grove to Boiling Springs section of the PA Appalachian Trail. The weather was perfect and we made it to our camp-site in record time. I also got to try out my new stove and backpack. The stove was a gift from Ali and Doug as a "thank-you" for officiating at their wedding (so very cool) and it worked even better then I thought it would since it has a simmer mode. My new pack was a birthday present to myself since I have had the same pack for 13 years. I went with an internal frame pack this time and it was a delight. Those 35ish pounds strapped to my back never felt so manageable. Great first day!

Day 194: 7/14/11-Learn about the Poetry of H.D.

Day 194: 7/14/11
New Thing: Learn about the Poetry of H.D.
Inspiration: PA Historical Markers 
Cost: $0
Time: About a half hour                 
Bottom Line: She was a home town poet and I didn't know it. (You are very welcome for that line.)

Reflection: One of the things that I have inhered from my father is an inability to pass a historical marker without wanting to read it. I love these things--the history they speak of that happened in the exact spot the reader stands on, the way each moment is capture to give the scope of the people, places and events that helped to carve out who we are as a nation, the way they always seem to hint that there is even more to the story behind the marker which is to large to be captured in one sign. There is one such marker (well actually several) that I have often passed on my morning runs and always pledged to learn more about, but never did--until to day! It stands outside the Bethlehem Public Library and speaks about the poet Hilda Doolittle. Here is the marker:

Intriguing, yes?

Like I said, these markers always seem to hint that there is so much more to know about the subjects they commemorate. And that was certainly the case with H.D. Here is just a small portion of the interesting things I found out about her, but please go to her wikipedia page (at least!) to learn more:

Her gave at our local graveyard.

Hilda Doolittle was born into the Moravian community in Bethlehem in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. Her father, Charles Doolittle, was professor of astronomy at Lehigh University and her mother, Helen (Wolle), was a Moravian with a strong interest in music. She was an American poet, novelist and memoirist known for her association with the early 20th century avant-garde Imagist group of poets. The Imagist model was based on the idioms, rhythms and clarity of common speech, and freedom to choose subject matter as the writer saw fit. H.D.'s later writing developed on this aesthetic to incorporate a more female-centric version of modernism. Her ashes were returned to Bethlehem, and were buried in the family plot in the Nisky Hill Cemetery on October 28, 1961. Her epitaph consists of the following lines from her early poem "Let Zeus Record."

Here is one of my favorites: 

MYSTERIES REMAIN

The mysteries remain,
I keep the same
cycle of seed-time
and of sun and rain;
Demeter in the grass,
I multiply,
renew and bless
Bacchus in the vine;
I hold the law,
I keep the mysteries true,
the first of these
to name the living, dead;
I am the wine and bread.

I keep the law,
I hold the mysteries true,
I am the vine,
the branches, you,
and you.

Day 187: 7/7/11- Toasting My Father

Day 187: 7/7/11
New Thing: Toasting My Father 
Inspiration: DTD's Birthday
Cost: $0
Time: A few minuets                
Bottom Line: Happy Birthday, DAD!!

Happy Birthday!!

Reflection: Today is my Dad's birthday! Happy Birthday, Dad!! Today I called him and toasted him to tell him how much he means to me. I made him raise a glass and everything. So, raise your glass to toast DTD, the greatest Dad in the world.

Day 121- 5/2/11 House Blessing and CREDO

Day 121: 5/2/11
New Thing: House Blessing and CREDO
Inspiration: Dad & Andi, CREDO     
Cost: $0
Time: All Day                   
Bottom Line: What a whirl-wind!

Reflection: Today began very early with a pre-dawn house blessing. Dad, Andi and I gather together at 5:00am to bless their new house, and I was honored to preform the simple ceremony. It was the perfect end to an awesome trip and I cannot wait to go back!

From there, I flew out to a beautiful camp in North Carolina to start my CREDO Conference. Here is the description of this multifaceted event:

The mission of CREDO is to provide opportunities for people to examine significant areas of their lives and to discern prayerfully the future direction of their vocation as they respond to God’s call in a lifelong process of practice and transformation.

CREDO is more than an eight-day conference. Through the strength of a holistic approach to wellness, participants are invited to examine their minds, bodies, spirits, and hearts by examining four significant areas of their lives—spiritual, vocational, health, and financial.

The Latin word, CREDO, can be translated as “I believe,” but it has a much deeper meaning. Literally translated, it means, “I give my heart.” CREDO encourages participants to rediscover the passionate essence of their life and ministry in the context of their faith, their relationships, and community.

The CREDO experience provides a profound opportunity for participants to reflect on their journey, discern God’s presence and calling deep within themselves, and renew, reaffirm, and recommit their passion and conviction for their authentic vocation.

In other words, I will be spending the next 7 days in an intentional and intense conference dedicate to looking at several different aspects of my life. The goal of this hard work will be to create a strategic CREDO plan for the future. More to come!

Day 120- 5/1/11 Explore Mammoth Cave National Park

Day 120: 5/1/11
New Thing: Explore Mammoth Cave National Park
Inspiration: My Bucket List, Dad, Kentucky!     
Cost: $0 (Thanks Dad & Andi!)
Time: All Day                   
Bottom Line: Mammoth May Day Mayhem

Another Day, Another Adventure

Reflection: Dad and I started the day by visiting his new church St. Jame's Episcopal. It was very enriching being able to sit in the pew and absorb the worship experience. The ultimate gift was being able to sit next to Dad again and hear him sing the Service Music that I remember him harmonizing to when I was a little girl. I have been waxing nostalgic for that lately, so It did my heart good to hear it.

As you may remember from a previous post (found here), one of the items on my "Things to do Before I Kick the Bucket" List is to visit all of the National Parks. Well, today, I get to cross another one off of my list because we visited Mammoth Cave National Park! According to their website (found here):

Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 390 miles explored. Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a "grand, gloomy and peculiar place," but its vast chambers and complex labyrinths have earned its name—Mammoth.



I really cannot do justice to how amazing this cave system is. I have never seen anything like it and the whole family was totally memorized. I think that it is safe to say that this was one of the most wondrous things I have ever seen. We took the 3 hour/3 mile Violet City Lantern Tour which is described here:

Walk through some of the largest passages in the cave by lantern light as guides recreate the experience of the first visitors in the 1800’s. Become part of the tradition of visiting one of the oldest tourist attractions in the country. Relive the stories and illusions witnessed by Ralph Waldo Emerson and others of his day. See evidence of saltpetre production, an underground hospital and prehistoric mining of cave minerals. Enter through the Natural Entrance and visit the Narrows, the Rotunda, Broadway Avenue, Giant’s Coffin, Star Chamber, Wright’s Rotunda, the Cataracts, Chief City, Mummy Ledge, Elisabeth’s Dome, and exit by way of the Violet City Entrance.  •3 hours, 3 miles. Total stairs: 160, and numerous hills without handrails. Elevation change: 160’.  •Includes parts of the Historic, Discovery, Star Chamber, and Mammoth Passage Tour routes. Difficulty: Strenuous.

It was so cool to spend three hours walking in these massive systems and tunnels by lantern light learning about the history of the place. Our guide was incredible and was the foremost expert of that part of the cave system. Here is just one example of the amazing stories that we learned: "In 1841, cave owner Dr. John Croghan believed the cave air might cure his patients suffering from tuberculosis. He brought 16 patients into Mammoth Cave that winter and housed them in stone and wood huts. After some perished, they left the cave, for of course the cave air offered no cure."

I have a feeling that we will be visiting this cave when ever we come to Kentucky. I am still in awe.