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Friday, October 7, 2011

Road Trip...Arkansas, Illinois and Kentucky

 Have you ever been in a cavern underground? I have been through several and they always amaze and fascinate me! The mineral deposits form such beautiful sculptures underground.
 These are shots from Mystic Caverns in Western Arkansas.

We learned that during prohibition days there was a still that operated from within the cave and there used to be giant drunken parties down there!! Wow, the things they did for fun!!!

 Our road trip continued on to Illinois where we visited Garden of the Gods.
It's located in the Shawnee National Forest,  and has some of the best rock formations I've ever seen!!

 There are paths to walk all around the park. The area that is open to the public isn't very large and only takes about 30 minutes or so to explore, but it is very cool!
 (My cute hubby)

 The leaves in this part of the country were just beginning to change.



I took a moment and posed for a portrait with my babies.

 As we drove through the small towns in Kentucky, we saw several roadside stands with mums and pumpkins. I was blown away by the size of the mums and the price was CRAZY!!! (Well, for what I'm used to anyway.) The mums were HUGE and only $6.00 each. They would be $25.00 where I live in Phoenix.


The pumpkins were fabulous. I saw several varieties that I have always loved and wished we could get locally. I love the grey/green ones, the super pale peach colored ones and of course... white!!!

On our way to Cumberland Falls Kentucky, located in the Danial Boone Nation Forest we saw a turn off for Natural Arch Recreation Area. We decided to visit it and it turned out to be one of the prettiest places yet.

 We made the hike down to see the arch close up.

The arch was amazing to see from this angle.

 But my favorite part was enjoying the forest on our way there.

 
 Growing up in a hot and dry climate has caused me to develop a love for all things green and mossy.

I just can't keep my hands off of it!!!

 The Fall leaves here in Kentucky are coming along nicely!



 Cumberland Falls was just a short car ride away. This was taken at the top of the falls.


 There was a beautiful path that took us around to several lookout points.


 This was taken at the bottom the falls.


Look  at the size of that rock!!! So far on this trip,  Kentucky had been my favorite State to visit. The greener a state is the more I like it!!!  Tomorrow we head through West Virginia will continue on to Pennsylvania. I'm not sure when I will have internet connection again as hubby's parents don't have one so have a wonderful weekend and I hope to be back soon!

31 comments:

mon-coin-joli said...

waouh !! trop beau !
bises
Nicolette

Unknown said...

This is some stunning photography, and of course, its obvious youre having a ball! :) Beautiful, sweet post! Have fun guys!

Hugs,

marga said...

Hi Karen
Thanks for sharing al those beautifull pictures of your roadtrip..........i loved looking at al of them! I love the one whit you and your baby', as you cal them. Such sweethearts. Have a save trip, Margaxxx

Ellen said...

Hello Karen, I enjoyed the beautiful pictures again. I've been in the caves of Postojna in Yugoslavia in the eighties, that was amazing. Thank you so much for sharing and have a nice time for all of you including the baby's they are so lovely!

Hugs,
Ellen

Cheryl said...

Wow what beautiful photo's absolutely stunning. I especially love the caves.

somewhere on the avenue said...

These images are quite stunning, everything looks so "big!". Looking at those pumpkins reminded me that iv'e never tried one before, can you believe that? Halloween isnt as big over here in UK as it is in USA, which is a shame I think. I will have to make pumpkin soup with home made bread this year, sounds good already! x

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Karen ~ what gorgeous countryside you are seeing!! I love it! Thank you for sharing your trip with us!

xoxo
Lori

clairz said...

Ah, green country with water! So beautiful. Love your photos and the fact that you seem to be taking your time with your travels.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

Debbie's Garden said...

We visited Mammoth cave in early September. It was a quickie 4 day weekend (I live in Chicago).
I was born in Kentucky, my "people" came there about 1807. I love going back there and driving through the rolling hills. It's like I can "feel" my roots there. (hokey I know).
I was in PA and VA many years ago and they are beautiful. If you like KY you will love them too.

marilyn said...

Thanks for the visual vacation. I will never get to that part of the US so I really enjoyed the trip.

gracie said...

I am really enjoying "my" road trip...

Rhonda said...

I cannot believe I've stood exactly where you stood in Illinois' Garden of the Gods. Isn't it so beautiful?
I'm a Chicago gal, whose father loves Southern Illinois and took us there a couple of years ago.

Your images are wonderful and that moss, sure wish we could grow it here in Arizona, huh?

Gone Country said...

Beautiful photos! My hubby is from Arkansas and I have been through many caves up there. They're so fascinating! One day, we hope to LIVE in beautiful Kentucky. These pictures make me want to move tomorrow! Gorgeous!

Have a fun and safe rest of your trip!

donna!ee said...

these are my stompin' grounds... you have certainly captured all the beauty of so IL AND western KY...thank you much for sharing the adventure! :)

Sonya Badgley said...

Hi Karen,
Your photos of our country are just beautiful! Love the moss too! I live in Oregon and wouldn't trade it for anything! It is beautiful and very green too. You'll have to come see some day! :)
I hope you continue to have a wonderful time!
Hugs,
Sonya

Terri Gordon said...

Hi Karen, Oh what a beautiful post, thanks for sharing your trip with us. Have a great time. Hugs, Terri

Marilyn said...

Wow-so many lovely sights! We have a Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs, too. Save travels and have loads of fun.♥♫

Gail said...

Wow! What a beautiful country we live in. Thanks for sharing your trip and all the lovely places you visited.

Pam said...

Beautiful photos and I would love to vacation their. My favorite vacations are driving and exploring what we have in the US.

If you ever get to my neck of the woods (or maybe you have been there) below Wheeler Peak the highest point in Nevada is the Lehman Caves. http://www.americansouthwest.net/nevada/great_basin/lehman_caves.html

I can't wait to see where you go next.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

You are definately seeing some beautiful country! Glad you are enjoying your trip!

Lily's Lace said...

It's so green and there's water! Great photos, I'm glad you're having fun, love you sharing! I'm getting nervous about NC-EEK I don't have you or Charlene my security blankets! Keep having a blast and sending photots. OH Love the dogs, tooooo cute! Miss ya-xox-cin

puur wit said...

hallo wow it looks beautifull
en what a lovely wheater
its raining here and 12 gr
cold
greatings sandra

Teresa said...

Hilarious! We always want what we've never had....I grew up and lived in Illinois all my life...I never thought it was beautiful, although your pictures do it justice! I am loving AZ with the less (green) is more look!

Unknown said...

Karen, beautiful photos. I live in Kentucky and I love it. It is so pretty. It looks like you are enjoying your trip. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful sharing of your journey visually Karen, the pic's are just wonderful and I feel like I took a trip! Hugs and I'm glad you are relaxing and enjoying yourself! Hugs Marilou

Charlene said...

Your photos are amazing!!!! I know you guys are having a blast!!!! Those falls are so pretty. I also LOVE the mums & $6 is a steal of a deal! Too bad you can't load the van up. Have fun & be safe. And keep those pictures coming girlfriend. HUGS!
Charlene

sugar Creek said...

Beautiful photos and you passed right by me! I live not to far from The Garden of the Gods and it is a beautiful place to see!

Brooke ~ The Eclectic Cottage said...

Kentucky is just beautiful, love all the fall foiliage pics! Enjoy your visit in PA.!
~Brooke

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Wow, what beautiful pictures. Looks like a wonderful time!

Riki Schumacher said...

Wow, the pictures are lovely Karen! What I'm most impressed with is that you got hubby to drive with you from AZ to Pennsylvania! Very cool. Looks like you guys are having a ball, good for you! Keep posting those pics. Love the foliage so much. You want green and mossy, come on up to Washington state! We know how to grow moss there! Hugs, Riki

Buy WoW Accounts said...

Awesome shots of the cavern! The flowers are so lovely too!

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