Kentucky - Environment

Because our location and the place we are working with don't have internet, our blog posts may be a little sparse, but we'll do our best to get to a McDonald's or Starbuck's every day to post our happenings of the day before. And so our blog begins!

Day 1: Our Alternative Spring Break Journey has officially begun! We planned on meeting at 1P.M. at the BCC. Half of us were there on time. They did a great job rolling up sleeping bags for like forty minutes while they waited for me (Max) to pick up the other folks. We turned around twice—once for flashlights or something like that and the other time for Caitlin's power ranger juice boxes—NOM! So the tardiness was justified. We rolled out at about 2P.M. but first got gas off Paris road—our first transactions of the trip! Some woman in a green car was meddlesome and wouldn't let us get out of the parking lot for like five minutes!

The six hour drive went very smoothly for both cars. In the van (which has fancy interior lighting) we talked about what super powers we would have (Nathan's was most creative--he'd be completely self-sustaining [i.e., never need oxygen, food, water, etc.]) and what animals we would morph into (Ethan wanted to be an albatross because, among other reasons, he wants to fly). We also had an additional passenger—a gnat--that, as Chris pointed out, "had a badonkadonk." We felt bad that it was now separated from its home. We also determined we would definitely lose our sense of smell before any other. Also, everyone would rather have a smart child over an attractive child…except for Max…

In the Durango, they talked a LOT about ostriches. Megan is deathly afraid of them. For awhile the boys rocked out to music while the girls slept. The car discovered Matt has a pallet for girl songs. The van followed the Durango because it was the only one with GPS. We only stopped once. The van thought it was because they needed a pitstop. It was really because Matt got lost in a sketchy part of St. Louis. Eh, well. Ethan and Chris were going to go down the street to use the restroom, but Matt stopped them pointing out the classic rule we must travel in groups of threes!

We were greeted to the Kentucky park (where our lodge is) by a huge sign that said "please visit other state parks." But not this one?? At first when driving around the park, we were a bit concerned about what our housing situation would look like or even where it was. Good news: Jackpot! SKOOKUM!

After dropping our stuff off, we planned on getting some grub and groceries for the week. We would've had the problem of not knowing where to go, but fortunately our new "knowledgeable dude" friend named Kirk literally biked out of the forest and greeted us and gave us wonderful information about where to go. He has a wicked long beard and a pleasant disposition. Everyone we've talked to so far seems really welcoming and friendly.

We went to a local dining place recommended by Matt's Kentucky contact. It was Nick's Family Sports Pub. Very good wings (Thai chili) and Hawaiin Blush/Sunset pizza. While dining, it took us about an hour to create a master grocery list which included three drafts. We divided and conquered the grocery list. Max was literally less than two dollars away on his guess of the bill, quite impressive if I do say so myself. We displayed an amazing amount of teamwork putting away the groceries, and now we are looking forward to the wonderful adventures and service that will commence starting bright and early (with pancakes)!