July 23, 2015 (Kentucky)

Whew! Day two is in the books, and it's been a doozy. But, I'll get to that....

Mile 340- Mammoth Cave- Largest cave IN THE WORLD!!! We woke up early in the wigwam and it was pouring rain. But, honey badger don't care 'cause we are taking this operation underground, just like the mole people. We toured two separate sections of the cave and saw stalagmites, stalactites, all of the -ites really. It was was majestic! And, I got to tell my kids this hilarious cave story about my friend Beth....She'll tell it to you too if she's had enough margaritas!

"Mama, take of picture of me with my pickle nose"

Mile 350- Cave City, Kentucky is home to many a run down tourist trap, but Dinosaur World was in pretty good shape, so we had to get a picture. Wish we had time to linger, but Louisville is calling our name...

Mile 392-Lincoln's Birthplace- Clearly, I didn't do enough research this trip because I DID NOT know we would pass right by the exit to Abe Lincoln's birthplace! I still wouldn't know it were it not for those helpful National Park signs that I'm drawn to like a moth to a flame. If you remember from STNBG #1 (I have an acronym!), we made a bit of an Abe Lincoln pilgrimage through Illinois. I think he's swell and it wouldn't be a road trip without an unscheduled detour! I mean, it was only 20 miles out of the way! AND! I remembered that I had an ironic hipster Abe Lincoln shirt in the back of the car! Mr. Bullington was euphoric when I told him about the change in plans! No really, he was a pretty good sport, but he did take pause when I changed shirts on the side of the road in the shadow of the National Park sign. What was I supposed to do? I love a theme!

The Log Cabin is actually inside this memorial which can be confusing if you are looking for a log cabin. I still don't think Ranger Rick had to be so very condescending when I ran up to him all in a swivet desperately inquiring about the mystery cabin. 

Me: I know it's here somewhere?? Where is it? Help me find it!

Ranger Rick: It's housed inside the memorial. We close in 5 minutes.

Me: (real snarky inside my head) Well, I guess I didn't think to look in the fancy-schmancy building on the hill for a log cabin. I'm just a little excited, and sweaty, and dragging 4 less-than-enthused people with me. I'd like for this to be seamless. Mm-Kay? 

Zombie Thomas says, "Love the cabin, but where are the brains?"

Mile 449- The Brown Hotel- Louisville, Kentucky

We're touristy tourists and we are not afraid to admit it. So we made our way to the Brown Hotel (albeit a little underdressed) to sample some of Louisville's finest dishes. I had a hot brown, mint juleps and some derby pie. 

Hot Brown. Nom. Nom. Nom.

And, now is the point of my story where the tides begin to change. I don't want to get ahead of myself. During dinner, this couple came up to us and told us how well-behaved the children were. I KNOW? RIGHT? John and I picked our jaws up off the floor and as soon as the folks walked away we were all, "Ice cream sundaes for everyone!" And, this is where it really gets weird. Another random person comes up and tells us that our children are the best behaved children he has ever seen! The Bullington Children? Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?  Now, they had been abnormally good during this particular meal and had been begging to go to the pool when we got back to the hotel. It was late, but we were so jazzed at our parental back-pat I agreed to take the kids to the pool on return. As we were walking into the pool, Mae's foot got caught under the heavy metal door and it got gory.  She was screaming and there was blood everywhere. Pool date cancelled and back to the room we went. I knew that she needed to go to the hospital but we are not home, we can't send our other two kids packing next door to the neighbors during an emergency. John ended up taking her to Louisville Children's hospital while I stayed at the hotel with Charlotte and Thomas. I thought for sure she was going to need stitches, but she is fine, bandaged, and now resting with us back at the hotel. Whew. I'm tired. Looking forward to an injury free day tomorrow!