November 3, 2016

As I sat in the Walmart parking lot in Mansfield, looking over my route to Kentucky tomorrow, I suddenly remembered Helen and Rob talking about the Ark somewhere in Kentucky - looked it up and it's actually on my way, in Williamsburg.  Changed my plans and left early enough Wednesday morning to stop and explore.  A small portion of The Ark Encounter parking lot is set aside for rvs, so I parked there and walked across the lot to the main building, where I bought a ticket and boarded the shuttle bus.  The Ark is cleverly situated behind a hill and trees, so the shuttle drives a few miles of winding dirt track before one catches sight of the ark itself.  One walks past the requisite souvenir shops and restaurants and enters the Ark - there are lots of guides to direct one around the boat, past a number of exhibits.  Very interesting construction - an obvious attempt has been made to stick to biblical measurements and to accurately represent animals and materials which are faithful to the time period.  Theologically speaking, the entire thing is questionable, but very, very impressive!  I was quite happy to experience this mammoth production as an interpretation of the bible story, rather than an historically accurate representation.  "Willing suspension of disbelief", perhaps, as Tolkien said of Middle Earth.
Since time was getting on - about 3:00 p.m. - I thought I'd just go to the nearest Walmart, in Dry Ridge, and stay there overnight before going on to Cave City;  however, when I got there, I discovered a big sign saying "No trucks or trailers - violaters will be towed at owner's cost"!  Ouch - and absolutely no rvs in the lot - so I turned around and headed back down the highway towards Cave City - should get there around 5:00 p.m.

First view of The Ark

Period pieces

Lots of interesting, sweeping ribs like this.

Cages for chickens, birds, etc. with clay feeding/watering pots attached to the sides - and complete with audio bird sounds

Moses and his family - and a workman making a minor adjustment to the lighting.

The lights were all clay pots and lampshades.

The Door - entrance for the animals to parade through.

Artistic representations of biblical stories.

Animal cages with painstakingly created animals - complete with a video explaining their manufacture.

Children's area with interactive stuff.

Yes, even dinosaurs, with an explanation of why they would have existed in Noah's time.

A pen with baby animals.

A real live turtle to touch!

Souvenir store inside the Ark.

You can even buy Noah's measuring stick!

I'm seeing Aslan here . . . 

Restaurant

Glass displays surround the eating area.

Buffet style eatery - lots of cool designs used for the wooden chairs and tables,

Last view of The Ark Encounter!