The Ark Encounter

We were scheduled to leave Kentucky the next morning to head west.  However, there were a lot of storms that we might have driven through so we decided to delay everything by a few days.  Fortunately, the RV park was able to accommodate us so we decided to take advantage of the bonus days to see a few more things.

A few days earlier we'd made the 30 minute drive to the Ark Encounter but the lines were unbelievably long just to park so we decided that we'd have to pass.  But since we had a bonus day, we made the drive again.  And this time (a weekday) it was under control.

I love seeing the commercials because my favorite giraffe family is featured and sure enough, they greeted us at the gate.

Gracie, George, Gloria, Junior

The Ark Encounter opened in 2016.  The centerpiece of the park is a large representation of Noah's Ark based on the Genesis flood narrative contained in the Bible.  It is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high.  It is held 15 feet off the ground by a series of concrete towers and the starboard side of the hull merges into three 80 foot masonry towers containing stairwells, elevators, and restrooms.

It was an incredible view and we spent some time enjoying it as we got closer.

Here were my giraffe friends again.  And a new friend.

The ark is arranged into three decks.  Visitors enter on the lowest deck and move between decks on ramps constructed through the center of the ark.  Models of some of the animals believed to have been on the ark - there are no live animals within the exhibit.

There were many animal models along with dioramas of Noah's workshop and a blacksmith.  There were also displays presenting what some believe might have happened inside and outside the ark during the flood.  Unfortunately, the lines to really appreciate these displays had very long lines so we passed.

There was a display promoting a relatively rapid formation of the Grand Canyon as a result of the Genesis flood.  Hard to read, I know, but it gives an idea of the type of displays they have.

Noah's Family Tree.  Again, hard to read without zooming in.

A nice view of the interior architecture.

Besides the ark itself, there are some other attractions within the theme park including Emzara's Kitchen, a two story, buffet style restaurant with a capacity for 1,500 guests, making it one of the largest restaurants in the world.

Lunch time at Emzara's Kitchen

Our view of the ark from the restaurant - that thing is HUGE!

The Ararat Ridge Zoo features a petting zoo and a variety of wild animals.

Gray Crowned Cranes

African Crested Porcupine

Ostrich

The kids loved the camel exhibit, especially the opportunity to ride a camel.

The park also features ziplining.

No how, no way was I doing that (although I did it about 15 years ago in Kauai) so I stood there for at least 15 minutes waiting for a group to finish their safety briefing and climb to the top before I gave up.

I'm glad we went so that we didn't feel like we "missed" anything but I think we would have been fine without it.  But at least I brought home a memory of our time there.

Gloria!