NOAH'S ARK ENCOUNTER

Since we were less than thirty minutes from one of the most spectacular attractions in Kentucky we decided to go to the unbelievable ARK ENCOUNTER in Williamstown, Kentucky (not far from Georgetown).

ARK ENCOUNTER
Williamstown, KY

There are a couple of very positive things to say about the Ark Encounter.  The sheer size of the exhibit, the incredible craftsmanship and the state-of-the-art exhibits were amazing and inspirational.  We will never think the same about the biblical account of Noah's Ark again!

Entrance into Noah's ARK ENCOUNTER

The Ark itself is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high.  The Ark has 3.3 million board feet of timber and is the biggest timber-frame structure in the world.  

Bow Of The Ark

Bow Of The Ark

Upon entering the Ark you have tons of questions so it is best if you do a little research before you go because you will never have all your questions answered (in your lifetime probably).   There is a lot planned for future expansion of the Ark Encounter - think BIGGER.

We decided to go on a Tuesday morning, but the Ark is opened Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  There are shuttle buses that take you from the vast parking lot to the Ark entrance.  

SHUTTLE BUSES provide transportation from the parking lot
to the vicinity of the ARK

There are strollers and electric scooters which can be rented.  If you have difficulty walking or getting around, you might reconsider this attraction.  There are also elevators if you are unable to walk to floors continuing the exhibits.  

Crowd Control is done with Walkway Aisles
on the ARK

Think how it is at Walt Disney World Resort, and all the turnstiles to get in the exhibits....same thing.  On the other hand seniors are given a reasonable discount for admission as well as a reasonable price for an all-you-can-eat buffet in an adjoining restaurant.  There are also lots of friendly and helpful staff to assist people along the way.

Lifelike exhibits of life on the Ark are
throughout the 3 stories of exhibits on
the ARK

We thought our decision to go on Tuesday would mean a small crowd.  It would have been except about 10 buses of teenagers arrived about the same time as us.  I have a feeling there is no day of small crowds here!  Once you enter  the Ark it is comfortable as far as the temperature is concerned, but you can't stop and read every single exhibit or you would be in line forever.  There are literally hundreds of signs to read and several movies, so if you have children be ready to explain what is happening in lots of areas of the attraction.  

The Murals throughout the Ark are beautiful!

Mural depicting Adam and Eve

While we saw lots of families at the exhibits I wondered how much it cost for a family of 4 or 6 to enter.  If they also went to the Creation Museum (their sister museum 45 minutes north), Screaming Eagle Zip Lines and Aerial Adventure, Ararat Ridge Zoo, etc., and ate at the buffet, and definitely spend some time at the Gift Shop....now that's a chunk of change!

Emzara's Kitchen Buffet Restaurant
As you Leave The ARK

There's a lot to see and do but you can upgrade your ticket to a 2-day, 7-day unlimited, or annual pass.  Did I mention it costs $10/day for parking?  Don't worry, there's an ATM machine if you need one.

Very comfortable and safe shuttles to take you
back to your parking lot

We enjoyed our day and we're glad we were able to go.  It is an amazing adventure and we know there is so much more to learn about Noah's Ark and the biblical flood.  There is a way to continue learning about this at AnswersInGenesis.org/ark and ArkEncounter.com.  

An RV with HOT FLASHES!

We stayed in West Virginia until everyone thought we were settling down in Lewisburg for good.  West Virginia kind of gets in your mind..."Country Roads Take Me Home" was a song we couldn't get out of our minds.   A tune you sing all day and don't realize it's permanently sealed in your brain.

Country Roads of West Virginia and Kentucky

We finally have to report a mechanical problem which appeared on the way to Lewisburg, WV  but RV thought he had it under control.  There was a hairline crack in our coolant reservoir (surge tank) and RV consulted with several high tech RV gurus (Tiffin owners and friends) who suggested as a temporary solution he apply Rubber Flex, a leak stopper.  Remember on television how the guy sprays the bottom of a small boat and takes off across the water....without sinking.  This product works as designed as long as the leak isn't under pressure.  Key word....pressure.

Our Cummins Diesel wasn't the only one chugging
up and down the mountains!

Somehow the Allegheny Mountains and the coolant tank had some conflicting ideas as we drove down the highway.  Our temperature gauge would elevate going up the mountains and then, thankfully, cool off as we descended.  The gauge never "over-overheated" but that was because RV talked to her the whole way,  I'm sure.   Yes, we left a minute trail of coolant on the turnpike, but most of it had leaked out before we left.

Beautiful West Virginia Turnpike
Beautiful West Virginia Weather

We found the interstate and turnpike roads in West Virginia and Kentucky to be very well maintained.  However, you don't want to get off the interstate because all we said about good roads goes out the window.  We made the mistake by getting off the interstate for fuel, and even though the sign said 2 miles to a diesel fuel station, it didn't say 2 miles on hairpin curves descending down very rapidly to the next small town in a 40 ft. motor coach with a tow car.  While RV was taking care of filling our 150 gallon fuel tank,  it was "SNACK CENTRAL TIME" for me, and I was able to refill the coach's snack basket with nutritious snacks once again. Okay, maybe "nutritious" is a stretch.

Whispering Hills RV Park
Georgetown, KY

Whispering Hills RV Park
Georgetown, KY

Whispering Hills RV Park Pavilion
Georgetown, KY

Upon our arrival in Georgetown, KY we were very fortunate to find Bluegrass International, a large diesel truck and RV repair facility,  only a few miles from where we are staying.  They repaired/replaced our reservoir issue quickly and BAM!, we are as good as new.  We've explored and stayed in the Kentucky Bluegrass areas of Lexington/Georgetown before, and love the scenic small town of Georgetown as well as the other surrounding areas.

Main Street - Georgetown, KY

Georgetown has protected the historical buildings
throughout the downtown area

Pure Small Town Charm
Georgetown, KY

Barn in Scenic Kentucky

Barn in Scenic Georgetown, KY

Our stay in Georgetown is to attend another rally of Tiffin friends,  rather small when you consider the last Tiffin rally had 310 coaches.  This rally may have 20 coaches and we are known as the Tiffin Travelers, an FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) chapter.  We are with other Tiffin owners from all over the USA, most of us on our way to an international annual Family Motor Coach Association Rally on July 12 - July 15,  at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, IN.