Comments | jrittenhouse: Kentucky Down Under:

jrittenhouse

Kentucky Down Under:

Mar 22, 2008 02:28

Another set of pictures on Susan’s Flickr account, taken from a day trip to Kentucky Down Under, a nice tourist trap in the Cave area in South-central Kentucky. Sample picture below is of me in a wheelchair outside the gift shop, with the girls around me:

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kentucky, twins, karst, susan, family, noteworthy, meredith

Comments 10

celticmom1967 March 22 2008, 12:45:41 UTC

That looks like a lovely place to visit? Where is it? It is close enough to us here in Columbus that we could make a day trip of it during Alex's Spring Break or at least maybe stay one night.

marklafon March 22 2008, 14:24:39 UTC

The cave country in KY is a good 6 hour drive from Columbus. Far enough that you really do not want to try and make it a single day trip. Especially after you spend a few hours tramping around the caves. Lots of caves in the area, including Mammoth Cave, and the short tours are measured in hours. If you do go you need to stay over night and making a reservation in advance is advised. The local hotels do a good business off the tired tourists.

For day trips I suggest the Hocking Hills. Much closer and still fun.

jrittenhouse March 24 2008, 00:09:34 UTC

The cave country is neat, and worth a visit, but it's a long drag from Columbus - an overnight trip at the least. Beware that there are a ton of tourist traps.

qtrhorserider March 22 2008, 14:34:33 UTC

Grew up in Kentucky. Managed to miss EVERY SINGLE TRIP TO MAMMOTH CAVE when I was a kid and there was a field trip nearly every frickin' spring. it was the one place I really would have loved going.

Managed to never make it during the time we lived there either. Never went to the Sears Tower when I lived in Chicago either..

I'll bet the girls are having a tremendous time. They certainly look like they are. As much of a pain as getting around probably is for you, I bet you needed the break too. Kid laughter does something wonderful to a person.

marklafon March 22 2008, 18:29:46 UTC

Jim, you look a lot like Raymond Burr in Ironside. Don't get involved in any murder cases while there, OK?

jrittenhouse March 24 2008, 00:07:38 UTC

*rolls eyes*

misseli March 22 2008, 19:26:11 UTC

Yer hair's so short!

Good to see you out and about, even on two four wheels ...

sciffy_circo March 23 2008, 16:39:56 UTC

I had no idea that kangaroos could be picked up and petted like giant kittens! And the pics with the two girls holding the two lambs are precious. The ones of them milking the cow are kinda cute too, and they never seem to lose their surprise at the birds being so close.

jrittenhouse March 24 2008, 00:07:21 UTC

Um, I don't think they were picking up the adult kangaroos, but apparently the joey was a different deal.

marklafon March 24 2008, 15:45:48 UTC

Well, the so-called native species of "kangaroo" (jumpus extremius appalchiaium) resembles true kangaroos only slightly. They are actually a sub-species of rabbit and are not marsupials. They appear to have evolved to handle the thick undergrowth of the lower mountain slopes, thus the sleek shape and powerful legs. They are one of the favorite foods of the hoop snake, which used to be quite common in the hills. It was quite striking to see a hoop snake time its attack to catch its prey in mid-leap. Habitat destruction has greatly reduced the numbers of the hoop snake and the K-roo population has exploded (short for Kentucky Kangaroos). While they look cute and cuddly they are actually somewhat dangerous to handle. Their powerful hind legs can open a rather deep gash in a person with their stout hind claws. Good eating though, if a bit tough.