Recently, David and I were supposed to have been enjoying a cruise around Japan, celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary with dear friends, Karen and George, who were also celebrating their 45th. Karen and I have known each other since 1978 when we worked at (what was then called) General Electric Medical Systems in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Fast forward back to this year, due to the residual effects of the Covid 19 lockdowns, as of March 2022, our Japan trip became a no-go. It was canceled by the cruise-ship company. Plan A – Strike 1.
We all decided that Key West, Florida, was a good substitute. Karen was so sweet to plan most of the details on everyone’s behalf. Starting on September 29, David and I were all set to head toward the destination, meet up with them, enjoy everyone’s company, and return home on October 15, 2022. Before we were ready to leave home, the devastating Hurricane Ian came to Florida. Consequently, our Florida trip also became a no-go. Plan B – Strike 2.
What are the chances of two major plans being killed, consecutively, due to unforeseen circumstances?! Regardless, David and I still wanted to head south. So we did. This is our special year after all. We were determined to celebrate our lives together no matter what. David did cancel everything south of Atlanta. To the north of Atlanta, however, everything else was kept as originally planned. The highlight was the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. The early fall weather was a bit chilly but beautiful.
David found out about the Ark while looking for possible sites to visit along I-75. I learned that the Ark opened to the public in 2016. The structure is huge, much like the size of a cruise ship.
We were not exactly sure what to expect but, once inside, we were able to get a feel for how people and animals must have lived in the Ark some 4,300 years ago. I felt the spiritual warmth that I remembered from when I first arrived in America in 1972, especially within the McKendry family. David’s mom, Lois Mae McKendry (nee Zinkle), was a loving, devout Catholic. She made sure that I knew I was welcomed and loved as a new member of the family. Long-lost America – the way I remembered it from when I was a teenager dreaming of coming here – was right there within the Ark! Was it my imagination? Or was it the presence of the holy spirit? I will never know for sure but, whatever it was, I felt surrounded by the same loving energy from how America used to be 50 years ago.
During the visit to the Ark, David and I also learned about the Creation Museum, located just west of Cincinnati. Apparently, it has been open to the public since 2007. Ark is roughly a 45-minute ride south of the Creation Museum. As you can probably guess, they are sister museums. We liked everything about Ark. By extension, I know I will enjoy visiting the Creation Museum as well. So, early next year, we are already planning on taking advantage of the Ultimate Bouncer Pass that enables us to visit both museums, and everything else associated with them, for an entire year. I’m feeling like a little kid who can’t wait to go back on a field trip in the spring.
In a strange way, it is as if divine intervention was at work for the cancellations of both the Japan and Florida trips – beyond our control – to divert our attention to these biblical museums, about which I knew nothing until a few weeks ago. What had happened felt like a “surrender to God” moment.
