TN Trip - part 1

DAY 1: We left our house on a Wednesday after my morning tutoring sessions!

We passed through parts of 5 states that day!

We wore our masks on in at the gas station. 

bridge near Saint Louis

We were hoping to possibly make a stop at the Saint Louis Arch

but because of COVID - the tram tours were not operating. 

masks on in at another pit stop 

We got Chick-Fil-A drive through and parked in the Kohl's

parking lot to eat in Evansville, IN. 

We decided that Owensboro, KY would be a good stopping spot for the night.

It was a HOT NIGHT and we were absolutely THRILLED that 

the pool was actually open - just the day before because of COVID!

DAY 2 - We met up with Craig and Char and decided to veer

off the direct route to TN and stopped at

Mammoth Cave National Park for a few hours!

The girls had just received their National Parks Passports

and had fun marking up their VERY FIRST OFFICIAL NATIONAL PARK

with their passports. (they actually have been to quite a few before the book)

We had tickets for a 11:30 tour, but decided to eat

ice cream at 10:00 to cool off - it was HOT! 

waiting at the cave entrance by the cook rocks 

Due to COVID, the tour was self guided with guides spaced

throughout where you could as questions.

We learned the cave has 400 miles and it is the largest in the world.

It was very dark, dry, and surprisingly VERY chilly (55-60 degrees)

which felt WONDERFUL after being out in the heat. 

Tuberculosis huts - scientists and doctors treated victims here

in hopes to find a cure - it didn't work. 

a whirpool on top of the cave where the water had been 

They call this park "Lookout Mountain" - not to be confused

with the Lookout Mountain in TN. :)

reading about the salt mining that was done in the cave 

cave entrance

After visiting the Mammoth Caves we drove a couple hours 

to Spring Hill, TN where we set up camp at the McMahans

and met the whole family at a rental house for pizza that night!

McMahans house in Spring Hill

at the rental house 

pizza time! 

hanging out in the Mcmahans backyard

as these three tried to give us a show :)