Horse Cave, KY to Southport, IN
When we were planning, we knew that the end of the trip could easily turn into a slog. To try to avoid the slog, we broke up the end into a couple of short-driving days and found some things we hadn't seen before to visit.
We left our hotel in Horse Cave and drove about 40 minutes to Hodgenville to see Lincoln's Birthplace. We watched the short video about Lincoln's early years -- I actually learned a few facts about the Lincoln family I had never heard or read elsewhere. We walked through the exhibits and the over to the memorial building with its 56 stairs to represent Abe's 56 years of life.
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| Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park |
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| Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park |
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| Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park |
Our short break was over and we drove about 20 minutes further to our lunch stop then about 50 minutes more to Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, Indiana (state #12 of the trip).
It was a neat place but it was hot and we were tired so we didn't stay too long. The Ohio River was a bit high which prevented viewing the best fossil beds but we explored a little along the shore and spotted a few cool things.
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| Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville |
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| Fossil Beds at Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville |
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| Fossil Beds at Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville |
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| Fossil Beds at Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville |
We broke up the last hour and 45 minute drive of the day with a stop at a rest area before arriving at our hotel for the night in Southport. The kids were really hoping for some extra time at the pool and we were sorely disappointed to learn the pool was closed. We contemplated switching hotels but since this room was booked on points the switch would have been too complicated, we were all ready to unwind and my son wasn't feeling well.
We had picked this hotel to be convenient for another visit with dear friends over dinner. The girls and I had a great visit but my son was not feeling any better by dinner time so my husband stayed at the hotel with him resting in bed.
I have to say, we are lucky we made it to day 16 of the trip without anyone getting seriously sick or injured to the point of being incapacitated. That is always one of my biggest anxieties about traveling. Thankfully, he is feeling a bit better tonight. Tomorrow, we tackle the final day of driving home.