Presentations

Jane has had about 6 months of  piano lessons and enjoys being able to play.   This video features her playing at Grandpa's church in Tenn.  This video also features the kids Thanksgiving presentations.

thanksgivingpresentations from outypants on Vimeo.

Fort Donelson

Fort Donelson located in Dover, TN

was our third stop that was part of the 

National Park Service. 

Michigan did supply union troops during the civil war, but geographically was far removed from the actual fighting. This was the kids first visit to an actual battle ground.

The kids were given a Junior Ranger book to fill out.  If they completed the pages assigned they would receive a special pin.  To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, a special pin can be earned if you visit three Civil War parks before 2015.

The Cumberland River 

Taking the oath as Junior Rangers.  

They got more trading cards too.

The fort is home to Eagles. We think we saw some flying around, but they were far away to say for sure.

We had great weather and a nice visit.  

The kids however were excited to head out and reach our destination to the parents in Rutherford.

Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave

Is the world's longest know cave. 

Names on the walls written before 1941 are considered part of the history.
Writing your name on the wall now is a federal offense. 

Nathan and I visited Mammoth cave in 2001, it was fun to return with our kids.

  We took the historical tour.  Part of the tour focuses on the life of the caves first guide, Steven Bishop.  He was a slave of the man who first opened the caves for paid tours. At the time the short tour was 6-8 hours and the long was 12-16. He became well known and sought after to lead tours.  The guide told us Steven learned what he could from the people he was guiding. He educated himself and learned several languages including Latin. In 1856 we had his freedom. He and his wife had been saving to move to Liberia, but he enjoyed what he did and kept exploring the cave and died 18 months later.

We had the awkward family photo while at the falls. This is the classic kids on vacation photo. 

This was called fat man's misery a narrow passageway.  We had people behind us and couldn't stop to get a great family shot, this was the best I could do while on the move.

Mammoth Cave is part of the National Park Service. They provide you with a junior ranger book.  They give you page requirements based on age, once you fulfill them you earn a  junior ranger pin.

Elliot survived the cave, he said he didn't need to go through it again.
His purchase at the gift shop was a stuffed animal, of course. By the time we returned to Michigan after our vacation he would have acquired four new ones. 

As we were leaving we spotted some deer.

LIncoln's birthplace

drivetotn from outypants on Vimeo.

Our next stop on our way to Tennessee was Lincoln's Birthplace.  The birthplace is part of the National Park service in Hodgenville, KY.

A recreated cabin.

The source of water for his family when he was a boy.

 Elliot was asked what he learned by watching the movie on the life of the 16th President.

 Abraham Lincoln's grandfather was named Abraham Lincoln.  

What did I learn? He had a sister named Sarah.

The Lincolns were well respected and were closer to middle class in their income during this time. 

Jane found this hat to spend her money on, I love it on her.

The kids were given a sheet of questions when they could answer them correctly they were given trading cards as a prize. 

54 steps how old he was when he was killed

With malice toward none with charity for all.