Southern Lakes & Rivers

When I entered my senior year of high school, I had every intention of leaving Bowling Green for Lexington and the University of Kentucky.  As the first in my family to attend college, I didn't realize that it was important to start working towards scholarships and financial aide early in the year.  And so, I found myself in the spring accepted to UK with little money to actually attend.  Since I had completed most of my requirements for graduation early, I really had nothing better to do one day than to agree to go on a visit to a small private school located in the Southern Lakes & Rivers region of Kentucky.

It is this chance trip in the Spring of my senior year that would decide my future.  That trip found me on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College.  Five months later, I entered LWC as a Freshman, armed with plans to stay two years and transfer to UK to finish my plans.  As Robert Burns once said, "the best laid plans of mice and men..."  Four years later, I walked away with a degree in English, a husband, and a best friend.  It is at LWC that I met bluebelleinbg.  She is smart and brave and sometimes forgets how completely wonderful she is.  Thankfully, as she is always reminding me the same, it is easy to point the mirror back to ensure that she sees.   I also met Mr. Irishbookworm21 at LWC.  I credit him with the salvation of my self-esteem.  He loved me at a time when I didn't love myself very much.  He has taught me that appearance doesn't equal beauty. Over a decade later and it still feels like yesterday.  Blessed doesn't even begin to cover it.

For those visiting this region, LWC is home to a multi-time National Championship soccer team.  The college is now also home to a football team, with this being their inaugural season.  LWC is also home to the Lindsey Wilson Singers, a choral group that travels each Spring on a choral tour of a different region of the US.  It was with this group that I was able to travel and see more of the US and the world than I would have been able otherwise.
 And in the interest of fairness:  the region is also home to Campbellsville University...LWC's longtime friendly rival.

For visitors, the region is also home to Green River Lake.  While we were dating, picnics next to the lake were a common date for us.  In the land of poor college students, it was about being together, not how much we had to spend to do it.  Green River Lake is a beautiful place for camping, swimming, boating, and there are many limestone outcroppings that are perfect for simply being.  It is the kind of place where you can sit in the silence and dream.  Dream of the world, dream of life, dream of love, dream of the future.  I didn't initially fall in love with my husband on these banks.  I did learn more about him and grew to love him even more in the time we spent on the banks of this Lake,

Lake Cumberland is also located in the SLR region of Kentucky.  Lake Cumberland offers more water sports, camping, and lodging on a beautiful lake.   If you are looking for world-class, record-breaking fishing, then Lake Cumberland is the stop for you.  There are also more opportunities to experience the beauty of nature in Kentucky,

Finally, this region is home to Mill Springs.  This town is home to a Civil War battlefield, the National Cemetery, and the world's largest working water-wheel.  Small towns dot this region. offering a glimpse into Kentucky small-town life and culture.  There are also opportunities to walk the land of the past, steeped in the history of a battle during the war that changed the fabric of our country.


While this region isn't home, it does hold the memories of some of the best days of my life.  Days awash with love and friendship, ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs.

Tomorrow, I move to a region for which Kentucky is famous:  Kentucky's Derby Region.

Caves, Lakes, & Corvettes (Part 2)

Nestled just northeast of Bowling Green on 1-65 lies Smiths Grove.  This small, quiet town hides a treasure trove of goodies and a great deal of memories for me.  I spent a great many days riding my bicycle or rollerskating along the sidewalks.  I may have been born in Bowling Green, but Smiths Grove captured my heart. 

Smiths Grove is a fantastic place for antique shopping.    As a young child, I would pass the windows of the shops and think of all the junk lining the stores.  As I got older, I began to look at that junk as treasure.  I would create stories about who had owned a certain item.  The Fenton lamp that once resided in the home of a wealthy duchess, the wagon that was lovingly cared for by a child, or the washboard that was used by a mother to prepare her children's clothes for school.  There are several stores that house these treasures in Smiths Grove.

Smiths Grove is also home to the Victorian House Bed and Breakfast. I didn't really think about what the purpose of a B&B was when I was a child.  This was just another one of my imaginary places.  Once I read Great Expectations, the house had almost a menacing presence.  I remember wondering if the house had its own Pip and Estella inside, with Miss Havisham still there in her wedding dress with the molding food on the table.  In reality, the house has been restored and is considered the best B&B in Warren County.  

Kentucky is also home to the Mammoth Cave system.  It has certainly earned its name, as it is the longest cave system in the WORLD at 367 miles (591 km) in length - and that is just what has been mapped.  It is three times longer than its closest competitor, a cave system in Russia that measures only 143 miles (230 km) long.  Looking at pictures of the entrance every school child in my hometown entered in Cave City reminds me why I love this cave system.  

I am claustrophobic.  I will not even get on an elevator if there are too many people sardined in with me.  I have been known to take 10-12 flights of stairs to avoid them.  To get to Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, visitors must ride an elevator 260 feet down to the cave shaft.  For me, it feels like a ride down into the bowels of the earth, from which I might never return.  With Mammoth Cave, there are stairs.  The descent into the caves is gradual, which allows for people like me to adjust to the hike through the cave.  For me, that makes the wonders so much more enjoyable.  I am able to see the formations and watch what the gradual dripping of water underground has created, as opposed to thinking the ceiling of the cave is slowly closing in on me.  

Caves, Lakes, & Corvettes wouldn't be complete without mentioning the Lakes.  Near Scottsville, you will find Barren River Lake, home to fishing, boating, and swimming.  More childhood memories swap me as I think back on times spent on the banks of the Lake.  It is one of the few lakes that I have swum in.  Lazy summer days slide into quiet, breezy nights. Time becomes of no consequence as relaxation takes over and the worries of the world are washed away in the waves.  

For those wishing to catch a glimpse of how life might have been a century ago, Scottsville is also home to a Mennonite community.  The "plain people" are friendly and welcoming.  Visitors can watch molasses being made and purchase fresh produce and handmade goods from the community.  


I am so reluctant to leave this region.  I miss home.  My house may not be there, but my home is in Kentucky.  This is the connection I was seeking, the reminder I needed of why there should be pride in my voice when I say I am FROM Kentucky.  There is beauty in home, peace in home, love in home.  And while the reluctance remains, it is time to say a "See You Later" to my home region.  After all, it's home.  It will never be good-bye.


The next stop is the Southern Lakes & Rivers, where I fell in love and found lifelong friendship.

Caves, Lakes, & Corvettes

This is the region I know better than any other in Kentucky.  And, there is a good reason for it:  it is the region of my two hometowns, Bowling Green and Smiths Grove.  I was born in Bowling Green, on Hospital Hill.  After a brief two year stint in Tennesssee, we moved back to Kentucky and settled in Smiths Grove.  Driving home always fills me with nostalgia.  I am constantly reminiscing about what I remember seeing there and what has changed here. I am filled with both sadness and pride.  Sadness for the changes and what I have missed.  And pride for the progress made in my hometown.

For those not from Kentucky, Bowling Green is most famously known as the Home of the Corvette. Bowling Green is also home to the Corvette Museum.  When you arrive at the exit where both the manufacturing plant and the museum are located, there is a corvette waiting to greet you (located in front of the plant).  As an elementary school aged child, we were all given tours of the plant.  I remember feeling awed by the size and machinery in the building.   I was lucky enough to be part of a choir that was invited to sing Christmas Carols just after the museum opened.  Part of the package was free admission to the museum.  While I may not be a passionate car girl, I can appreciate the sleek lines and the barely leashed power under the hood of a corvette.

Bowling Green is also home to Lost River Cave.  A couple of years ago, a close friend of mine got married at LRC.  There is an area cleared in the grove of trees where chairs are set up for the ceremony.  A ceremony here feels almost like a commune with nature.  The area is beautiful and a small breeze through the trees feels like God is reaching out to bestow blessings on the new couple.  The cave and river have quite the history:  first used as shelter for Native Americans, then used for water by those milling in the area, next a hideout for Jesse James, and lastly a nightclub through the 60's.  Now, a pavilion at the mouth of the cave serves as the perfect area for a reception.  The natural formations created the perfect environment where lights and shadows speak of days gone by and mysteries to be discovered.

A great deal of my time in Bowling Green was spent at Western Kentucky University.  All of the choir competitions held in our area were held at the top of the hill.  When you are walking up it, "hill" is quite a misnomer.  The only available parking always seemed to be at the bottom of the hill.  Walking up that "hill" in heels and a formal choir gown is an experience that I will never forget.  I will also never forget performing in the grand halls of the University.  I did choose another path for school since I lived in the town my entire life.  That, in itself, is its own tragedy.  I was so quick to dismiss WKU as a school option.  However, the tragedy is only in the discounting, not the choice that I did make.  Had I not, I would have missed out on a wonderful friendship and a wonderful marriage.  So, I have no regrets about the choice I made.

A trip to Bowling Green would not be complete without a trip to the Fountain Square.  My fondest memory is of a trip to the Square to attend an International Festival with my now-husband.  On that trip, we enjoyed food from around the world and came home with George.  George is a wooden giraffe with hand-stretched leather covering him.  As he was made of natural leather (not the processed, cleaned version), he was not pleasant smelling.  Over time, that went away, and we are now left with a more than decade old reminder who has graced a shelf in my living room for the last six years of that.

I have it on good authority that a trip around the square also requires a stop at Verdi.  The restaurant specializes in food with Bosnian, Greek, and German flair. They also are a green restaurant, specializing in organic ingredients.  I have never eaten there, but I am already making plans to stop in for a meal on our next trip home.

And if the meal tastes even a FRACTION of how good it looks...I am confident I won't be disappointed. 







There is so much to share and so much I love about my home region, that I have decided to split it into (at least) two parts.  I am also just not ready to leave...

Tomorrow, we venture to my other hometown, Smiths Grove, and to other stops in the CLC region.

Bluegrass, Blues, & Barbecue

I LOVE music.  I think I was probably singing as soon as I learned to talk.  There are very few kinds of music that I don't like.  And even for those, I can appreciate the talent that is required to perform.

Bluegrass falls into that category.  Even though it is not my preferred choice of music, I can appreciate the hard work that artists put in to be successful.

My mother adores Bluegrass music.  Her take on it is that even though there are slower songs, it is still upbeat and fun.   Owensboro, located in the West, is home to the International Bluegrass Museum.  The museum houses exhibits honoring Bill Monroe, the father of Bluegrass music and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, among others.  This year, the museum hosted the Bill Monroe Centennial Exhibit, showcasing many of Monroe's personal items that have never been seen.

Owensboro is known as Kentucky's Festival City.  Owensboro is home to the International Barbecue Festival, held every May.   Groups travel from around the world to compete in different meat categories.  And the visitors reap the benefits of all this barbecue goodness.  Now barbecue, I can seriously get into!  The slow cooked goodness and scents that fill the air during the day must be heaven.

Also in the West lies Henderson.  Henderson is home to the W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue festival.  While Handy was not originally from Henderson, he was a resident there for many years and even met his wife there. Handy is considered the Father of Blues, and he has said that his time in Henderson helped him "learn to appreciate the music of his people."

And that is how I have begun to feel while I am venturing through this region.  Bluegrass is the music of my people.  It was created in Kentucky and the state has fostered the musical genius of those who have come to the state to find inspiration.  I can completely understand how someone who ventures to our great state could be inspired to create music that tells the story of life, love, and loss.

Just the beginning of this journey has me itching to get behind the wheel of my car to take a long drive through our state, snapping pictures and recording feelings as I go.  I want to record it all, live through it, and experience the life of Kentucky.  I have already started compiling a list of festivals and stops for this journey.

And tomorrow, I get to go to the Cave, Lakes, & Corvettes region of Kentucky.

Or, as I like to call it, home.

Western Waterlands

And so, my journey begins in the Western Wetlands.  Located between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, the western-most part of the state is famous for its water activities: skiing, fishing, tubing, kayaking, and swimming (among others).

The Western side of the state is home to both Lake Barkley and Land Between the Lakes.   Both are known again for their outdoor activities, with LBL being comprised of 170,000 acres and possessing an Elk and Bison reserve (among other things).

I have to be very honest, I like water activities in limited quantities. Normally, I get very apprehensive about activities in and around water.  It has nothing to do with fear of the water; I am actually a very good swimmer.  I think, for me, that the connection with water is that there is normally a swimsuit requirement that goes along with it.  Any time a swimsuit is involved, I automatically want to find a reason not to do it.

If not for that, I would LOVE to stay in the water.  Water is very freeing.  The sound it makes as it laps across a shoreline is a lullaby to which I could fall asleep every evening.  I always say that I am not a beach person (only due to the aforementioned swimsuit and the lobster condition that normally occurs when I go out in the sun), but I could handle living in a beach house and swimming on cloudy days.  It is one of the reasons I am most excited about our cruise.  I cannot wait to sit on the deck of the ship and listen to the water, as well as swim in it in some of the most beautiful locations in the world.  By that point, the meal plan should have helped to make me a little less apprehensive about that swimsuit requirement.

The Western Waterlands region is also home to Paducah.  If you are looking for local crafts and antiques, then Paducah is a must visit stop. Quilting is one craft activity that I have always wanted to learn and for which Paducah is well known.  My mother and I have made attempts to do it, they have just never come to fruition.  Like many traditions, quilting by hand has largely been lost to the faster, more efficient machines that can do the same work in less time.  It is the loss of these traditions that saddens me.  While no one in my family quilted, cooking is another story.  There are recipes that were known only to the cook and were lost before I was old enough to appreciate that I might want to have learned them.  My Great-Aunt Grady's fried apple pies were manna from Heaven, created with such loving care that cooking had to be a gift given to her from God.  To this day, I have found no equal.

Hopkinsville, aka Hoptown, is home to the Cherokee Trail of Tears Commemorative Park.  It is the site of an encampment used by members of the Cherokee Tribe during the atrocious movement of several tribes to the Western US.  Two Cherokee chiefs are also buried here, having succumbed to the conditions while being forced to leave their homes.

Hoptown is home to an annual Powwow, normally held in September (I was sad to learn that I had missed the event for this year...maybe next year?).  Native American dancers, singers, drummers, and arts and crafts vendors gather with both Native and non-Native people to celebrate their rich heritage and tradition.  I love that this is done.  To have a time set aside where the heritage and traditions of a people are celebrated is such a beautiful thing.  It makes me desire to find out more about my own heritage and what traditions I am missing.  I am slightly ashamed to admit that there is very little I know about my own family history, with the exception of some vague connections (I know my family is Irish on my mom's side).  Again, another journey for another time (but certainly one that would be worthwhile).

And while there is SO much more that could be detailed for the Western Waterlands, it is time to head East.

Tomorrow, it's Bluegrass (the music, that is), Blues, and Barbecue.

A Little History

Initially, I wanted to take a tour of my home state to learn more about it and more about me.  I planned on starting in the West and moving across the state.  I started the research for the Western Waterlands, but something just didn't feel right.  I kept tying to push and push, just to realize that I was getting nowhere.  

And then I figured out why.  To begin to understand the state and myself, I am going to give some background and history of the state (but probably not about me-until we get to my region).  

Kentucky became the 15th state on Friday, June 1, 1792.  The state's name is from in Iroquois word that means "Land of Tomorrow." 

Regardless of what the wonderful people of Illinois like to claim, Abraham Lincoln was actually born here:

This house is located in Hodgenville.  So while he may have grown up elsewhere, he was born in Kentucky.. 

The state flag of Kentucky shows two men shaking hands.  The frontiersman represents the spirit of Kentucky frontier settlers. The statesman represents the Kentuckians who served their state and nation in the halls of government. The words "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" surround the two men.

The state bird of Kentucky is the Cardinal.  Why?  No idea.  Nothing I have read really advises why any state has a specific bird as its symbol, or why we even have them at all.  I am probably one of the few people that finds that interesting.  I shall endeavor to find a reason.  If I do...you can guess you will hear about it.

State flower: the Goldenrod.  Bluegrass was initially the state flower (not kidding...grass was a flower) but some Kentuckians didn't like having a state flower that represented only one region.  The War Department gave us the Trumpet Vine unofficially at one point, as a symbol of Kentucky's militia.  In 1921, a women's group lobbied to have an official flower.  Since the goldenrod was already on the flag, it was chosen.

I will skip the other state things.  The list is rather lengthy, as apparently there is a state fish, fossil, gemstone, horse, soil, mineral, tree, and wild animal game species (the gray squirrel, in case you were interested). 

I wonder if part of my confusion about my identity growing up was in any way tied to Kentucky's.  You see, for our half of the United States, we generally split it in half.  There are the Northern (or Union) states and the Southern (or Confederate) states.  That is where things get a little dodgy for Kentucky. 

In all technicality, Kentucky never ceded from the Union.  We were (and still are I suppose) considered a border state.    If you think it is that simple, think again.  My own home city, Bowling Green, was the provisional capital of the Confederate government in the state of Kentucky. 

 
It is this very contradiction to which I can SO relate.  A Union state with Confederate sympathies is the kind of state to which someone with my personality should belong.  I think of myself as a walking contradiciton most of the time:

A cynical optimist.

An introverted chatterbox.

An open-minded Christian (that's a WHOLE other post).

And so, I feel better prepared to start this journey.  There is SO much history and life in Kentucky, that I could in NO way capture it in just this post.  So, I am going to have several.

Starting with the Western Waterlands.

"From" Kentucky

I have a confession to make: I have not always been proud to be a Kentuckian.  When asked about my home state, I simply replied with the following:


"I am not FROM Kentucky, I was simply born there."


The stereotypical statements about people from Kentucky made me angry and determined to ensure that I would never be saddled with the same identity.  I remember being in a theater when "Clueless" was released.  Cher (Alicia Silverstone) kisses the boy, and then states "Well, you know what happened next..." The scene cuts to a wedding, and Cher states "As if! I am only 16! And this is California, not Kentucky!"  That only solidified my determination to never be labeled a Kentuckian.

Age and maturity have a way of bringing new perspective to life.  As does meeting those who have pride in our home state.  Kentucky is a state with a proud heritage and a lot to offer. Why am I NOT proud to be a part of it?  In all honesty, it is because for a long time I didn't like myself.  I hid who I was and my true feelings.  I spent a lot of time trying to make those around me comfortable that I compromised my own heart.

No longer.  I have grown into an adult who is PROUD of who she is.  I am free thinking, opinionated, and happy.  I am confident enough in myself that stereotypes and misconceptions no longer bother me.  In addition, I have realized that I have spent so much time denying the heritage of my land that I don't know very much about it.

So, I have decided to set out to rectify that.  I had initially decided to start with my home area and work my way around.  However, research has led me to a much more fluid way to do it:

So, using this map as my guide, I am going to spend the next little bit learning as much as I can about each area.   First up tomorrow, the Western Lakes & Rivers.

And maybe, along the way, I will learn a little more about myself as well.

Ready to Run

Since we were on the horse trail yesterday, weigh-in day was delayed until today.  I had initially planned on waiting a week, but I have learned that accountability is everything for me and knew that skipping one week would only lead to skipping another, then another, then getting off track.  And so regardless of if I wanted to or not, I hauled myself to Dr. B's office to face the scale.

From a food perspective, I didn't really feel like I had been doing very well.  I purchased dinner for my team as a celebration for their hard work last month.  To fit into my budget for eleven people, pizza was the go-to option.  Sadly, most pizza restaurants do not have salads available.  The one chosen was not an exception to that.  So, I tried to stick with a veggie pizza on thin crust.   I didn't feel great about the choice, but I thought it was the best I could do at the time.  In truth, I haven't stuck solidly to the meal plan on other days either.

To try and balance that, I did start working out more days.  My workout is simple:  before my dinner break each night, I make five trips around the inside of my building (the equivalent of one mile).  Lately, I have developed this itching desire to jog.  I can only jog for small bursts of time, but it is enough to both boost my ego and loosen up the muscles in my legs. Loosening up the muscles means I can both exercise longer and that my legs feel better when I am done.

I never imagined being the kind of person who would like to jog/run.  However, I can feel my body wanting to move faster.  Walking isn't cutting it.  I long to be able to cut loose and go all out.  I am fairly confident that wouldn't go over very well with The Company.  On the rare occasion that someone does run through our call center, it usually doesn't indicate anything good.  Not to mention the fact that my walking path is among the desks, and while walking doesn't garner much notice, jogging certainly would.

So I feel restricted, restrained.  I feel like I am being held back, no matter how much I want to break free.  When I am walking in the building, I feel a sense of accomplishment tinged with a longing for something more.  Me, who just seven weeks ago thought there was no way I could do it, is now ready to run.

For the time being, I am dealing with the desire and lack of outlet.  I take the opportunity on days when I am not working to get my son outside and jog with him.  At nearly four and possessing nearly boundless energy, he makes for a great jogging buddy.

And with my weigh-in today, I finally got my new number.  I am still not in a confident enough place to share that number, but I am getting there.  After a rocky week, I went to the scale not because I wanted to go, but because I had to go.

And I (figuratively) ran away, feeling more free than I have in a very long time.

A Horse is A Horse

For 30+ years, I have managed to admire horses from afar.  They are beautiful creatures, I just never had an innate desire to ride on one.  I used to ride past a house when I was a child where they owned horses.  I even got to name one (Rocky Road, BTW, because his coloring matched the ice cream).

All that aside, I am an adventurous person.  So, when the suggestion was made to have an off site team builder at a Tennessee State Park that offers trail riding, I said sure.

There are two things that this state has in abundance:  Cedar Trees and Rocks.  These two things are very important when we get to the trail riding...

When we arrived at the riding stables, we were greeted by our guide, Jamie and Lady, an Australian Shepherd.

  

.

One issue about which I was concerned was the actual process of getting ON the horse.  I have previously mentioned my issues with arm strength.  Thankfully, the stables had that all figured out.  The "loading dock" is horse height.  You simply swing a leg over, and voila, you're on the horse.  

Speaking of the horse:  say hello to BB (short for Big Baby...hmmm).

I was assured by the woman running the stables that BB was calm, never gets in a hurry, and is well-behaved.  I am still wondering if she really knows this horse.  To add to the fun, just before we left, she also informed us that the horse riding behind us has recently taken to biting BB on the butt.  Sounds perfect:  I could just imagine it...riding on the trail, horse getting bitten, and me falling and smashing my head on a rock.  Great.  Just frickin' great.

During the ride, BB decided that he needed to walk as close to the aforementioned trees as possible.  Not only that, the rocky path ensured that he would have to adjust his stride over and over again...meaning that I would have to adjust to him.  Easier said than done.  Every time he shifted, I was sure that I was going to meet the ground in a most painful way.

Each time I pulled back on his "equestrian steering devices" (thanks MJansenMiller), I got the stink eye from the horse.  He apparently didn't appreciate being directed to stay back from the horse in front of us, nor did he like to be directed to stop eating the various plants on the path.  Meh.  I was just following instructions.

Thankfully, the whole biting thing was an unfounded concern:  the team member riding the horse behind me owns eight of her own and is very experienced.  

(I have to point out that the trail pictures were taken by someone else...no WAY was I letting go of those reins)

After about 10 minutes of riding in abject fear, I began to relax.  The others were joking and laughing, which really helped.  BB and I got used to each other, and that certainly made me feel much more comfortable.  I also learned that the horse liked being petted...to the point where he would slow down and raise his head so that I could do it again.  The trail was mostly wooded, which helped protect from the blazing sun that was out yesterday.  There was a breeze blowing through the trees that was simply divine.   

When we returned to the stables, I was actually disappointed.  I wish the ride had been longer.  The experience was much more relaxing than I thought it would be.  

Am I a horse girl in an instant?  Not sure.  I think I am going to have to take a few more trail rides to find out.     

Excursion - Roatan

Where Belize has many options that are causing issues with making a decision, Roatan started out as a difficult excursion planning site due to what seemed like very little to do.  However, once  I began researching, I found that there are MANY interesting options:

Scuba/Snorkeling.  I have to be honest.  I am fairly certain that by day six of this cruise, we are going to be snorkeled out.  I anticipate having spent at least two other days in water (for at least part of the day).  Neither hubs nor I are serious water people, so we will probably have had enough by this point.  However, I provide it as an option, just for informational purposes.

Garifuna.  Now this, I could get into.  The Garifuna are the descendants of African slaves who populated the area in the 18th century.  Yubu provides a peek into daily life, ritual dances, culture, etc.  I am fairly confident that this will be one of our stops (hubs is from Kenya originally).  

Carambola Gardens:  Again, another viable option for us.  You can walk through both gardens and take a walk through a trail that leads to a scenic view of the island.  Again, more images from the lens leading to imaginative wanderings of my brain.  Hmmm....I really am beginning to feel the beginnings of a novel coming on at this point.

Mangrove Tour:  Away from the busy West End of the island lies Jonesville and the East End (obviously).  Apparently, this is a less developed area of the island.  There is the opportunity to take a 30 minute boat ride through channels cut centuries ago by Paya Indians.  Lazy ride on a river?  I might be able to go for that.

Hole in the Wall:  Okay, I will be the first to admit that there are two television stations that I could NOT live without.  They are the Travel Channel and Food Network.  On one of them (at this point I cannot remember which) did a special on HITW.  Apparently, they are well known for fantastic local food, as well as the opportunity to meet local people and just hang out.  As a side note: it is only accessible by boat. 

 

Animals: Specifically iguanas and monkeys.  Apparently you can go to some guy named Victor's house and visit with monkeys that he has.  They will climb on you and attempt to fish loose change out of pockets.  Additionally, there is a stop at an iguana farm.  While I like animals as much as the next person, this one will probably be vetoed.  Two reasons:  1.  I recently learned that hubs detests animals.  He lovingly endures zoos, aquariums, and pet stores to satisfy the amusement of both the boy and me.  It is purely out of love that he sets personal feelings aside.  2.  While I do like lizards, that picture of a swarm of them is enough to turn me off.  One or two?  Fine.  Hundreds?  Not so much.

Food:  As mentioned before, I will be eating locally.  If for some reason we don't make it to HITW, then the above is a good second choice.  

As for getting around, I have  also looked into getting an International Driver's Permit and renting a car.  The cost for our one day is $27, which is considerably less than even the lowest cost tour option.  Yes, I would have to drive myself.  However, we could then see what we want to see without having to be on some one else's agenda.  We'll see how that works out.  It is in direct opposition to the idea of relaxing and letting someone else do the work.

And thus concludes my grand excursion research.  I doubt this will be the end of my research.  After all, there is still plenty of time left before we leave for this journey...