We Are Back in Texas! Ark Encounter Was Awesome!

We pulled into our driveway at noon this past Sunday after traveling a total of 6,000 miles in two months! It was good to be home.

We pulled out of our Michigan Airbnb one week ago today, heading to the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. We arrived close to 3pm, but thankfully the ark is open until 7pm, so we had plenty of time to explore.

The size of the ark is extraordinary. You really can’t comprehend the scope of what Noah built unless you actually see it. The Bible doesn’t go into detail about the ark’s shape, or how all the animals fit inside, or how eight people could care for so many animals for such an extended period of time, but Ken Ham, the man behind the Ark Encounter, did his research and presents visitors with what could have been possible at that time in human history.

I expected to see animals in cages, but other than that, I didn’t know what we’d see inside. I think that two of the most surprising features were the technology used to care for the animals, and the many dinosaur-like animals represented.

I can only imagine how God “downloaded” all of the information Noah needed to build a boat of that magnitude and how to take care of so many animals, but I shouldn’t be surprised by the ingenuity we saw, because with God all things are possible. The watering system, food storage/delivery and sanitation methods were so ingenious. For example, it is possible that all along the top of the ark were covered windows that could be opened to allow rainwater to be funneled into large storage tanks. From there, a system of pipes (possibly bamboo or copper) and spigots delivered water to troughs within the animal enclosures. Larger animals may have had their water supplied from clay vessels near their enclosures, with valves and spigots controlling the flow.

Dinosaurs were also shown on the ark. According to Genesis the animals were created on the sixth day, the same day as Adam. This includes all animals. The Ark Encounter suggests that only representative “kinds” of dinosaurs, not every species, were needed, possibly as juveniles so that they fit better and ate less. There were many other animals that are now extinct, but according to fossil records they existed at that time.

The last portions of the ark encounter explain the Biblical view of creation which is much, much younger than what is taught and supported by secular scientists. From what I understand, the flood did much more to the earth than get it wet, it changed it dramatically and in ways I never imagined. Canyons and mountains were formed, many layers of dirt and bones were deposited around the earth – layers that scientists say took millions of years to form. After the flood, the climate changed completely and we entered into an “ice age” mostly at the poles, not reaching down to where Noah’s family would have settled down. I will not pretend to understand it all, but I want to find out more. Some believe that the Bible tells us that prior to the flood, it had never even rained before, but rather it was watered by mist, underground springs and rivers. 

As we left the ark it was getting cloudy, with some thunder and light rain. I though, how appropriate, maybe I need to get back on the ark! But we needed to drive two hours to Elizabethtown, Kentucky where we had reserved a room for the night.

On Friday we drove to Little Rock, arriving downtown at the AC Marriott around 4pm. We checked in and watched movies all evening. We even got our popcorn out of the car and popped some. It was very relaxing.

We arrived to Argyle, Texas on Saturday around 3pm. We enjoyed visiting with the kids then headed home Sunday morning.

It’s only Thursday, but it’s already been an exciting week. Our oldest grandchild started her senior year on Tuesday, and our grandson is starting tackle football now that he’s in seventh grade. Our youngest granddaughter, who will soon be three months, spent a few hours with us on Tuesday. And our middle daughter finally got a cat! Exciting times.

We had such a good time traveling but it is always good to be home.