Travel Journal: Buffalo Trace Park
You have probably heard my news that we bought a camper. Yes, THE BURKES, bought a camper. Why? Well, why not? You know? So many families have told us to find something to make memories together. Maybe it's a boat ride out on the water on the weekends, maybe it's going on a hike together, maybe you have a family farm or lake house, maybe it's traveling several times a year, maybe you camp, just do something. We wanted to find something that is away from the stress of life and work, away from the hustle, just away.
This past weekend was our trial run, if you will. We have a longer trip coming up, so we wanted to do something local to practice hooking everything up, setting up camp, and seeing what all we would need...
This journey led us 30 minutes from our house to Buffalo Trace Park based on the recommendations of several friends. http://www.harrisoncountyparks.com/parks/buffalo-trace-park/
It was lovely. The lake is HUGE. Way bigger than we were expecting. We picked a spot right next to it, and it worked out really well.
The park has:
- Canoe/paddle boat rentals
- Swimming at the "beach"
- 3 play grounds, and one work-out playground
- Petting Zoo
- Fishing
- Trails
- Picnic/shelter areas
- Disc Golf
- Tennis/Basketball courts
- Bike path around the lake
(Be aware of the hours of things before you go. Most rentals and petting zoo are Thurs-Sun right now)
The kids had an absolute blast. Maybe it was un-interrupted family time outside, maybe it was the excitement of the camper, but it was a hit! We went on a treasure hunt, chased butterflies, ate wild blackberries and tasted honeysuckle, fished unsuccessfully (lol), walked miles, played on playgrounds, watched the ducks, visited the petting zoo animals, slept in bunk beds, and listened to Chris Stapleton outside and watched the sun go down. It sounds so cheesy, I know, but this is so out of the normal for us, and I am so excited to see where this camper takes us and the memories we make.
I feel like I am having some revelations after turning 30. I don't have to live my life a certain way just because it is normal or expected. Yeah, most people don't see me/us camping. That's okay, because their thoughts of how we are, do not have to dictate how we are. If that makes sense. If we decide to change how we live and what we do today, even though it looks different then it used to or what other people do, it is okay to change.
I am reading a book right now, "Present Over Perfect" by Shauna Niequist, and it is changing my life.
I am learning that I have authority over my life. Here are some awesome quotes from the book and a chapter that really hit me:
"You have to stop doing a whole lot of things to find out what you really love, and who you are......because the lives we have fallen into have told us exactly who to be, what to love, and what to give ourselves to."
"This is my life, it doesn't matter a bit if it would be lovely for someone else to live, what does matter, does it feel congruent for how God made me and called me?"
"One of the greatest delights in life is walking away from what someone told you that you should be, in favor of walking toward what you should be in your own heart, in your own secret soul."
"We get to decide how we want to live. We get to shape our days and weeks, and if we don't they will get shaped by the normal and typical. Who wants that?"
-Shauna Niequist
What are you discovering about yourself? Is there something in your heart and dreams that you would do if you released yourself from what is expected?
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