Noah’s Ark Encounter raises three stories above the ground and is visited by millions of folks every year.

Have you ever wondered what life was like aboard Noah’s Ark?

Well, I got a glimpse into old Brother Noah’s year-long cruise this past week as I celebrated my 75th birthday onboard the Ark with his family and their animal kingdom.

Although the Ark is sitting upon a high ridge in the Kentucky hills it is easy to imagine you’re along for the ride as the sights and sounds draw you into the ocean voyage that forever changed the world.

The trip to Kentucky is a pleasant drive, and I had the double-pleasure of riding in the backseat as I left the driving duties up to my daughter, Vickie. She has become quite an expert in navigating big city traffic with the help of her cousin Jean and the ever-present Siri.

Well, let me rephrase my praise for Siri. She has been known to send you down an unbeaten path through areas that has never seen modernization. In fact, Siri misled us more than a couple of times as she mapped out a route that zigzagged us towards North Carolina enroute to Kentucky, and had us driving willy-nilly from the back roads of Alabama to the desolate North Georgia hills on the way back to Florida.

In fairness to Siri, I should mention that we were trying to avoid the nightmare of dealing with Atlanta traffic, so in respect to her expertise in leading us safely past Atlanta I’ll admit she performed admirably.

There is a lot to be said for taking less traveled roads, especially when you don’t need to be time conscience or have a deadline staring you in the face. I know, I-75 offers the straight shot to our destination if we are pressed for time, but there is unique joy in driving through small communities you’d never see if you take the interstate.

Let me paint a word picture for you. We’d left Mayo around mid-morning on Sunday in a light sprinkling of rain. Our town is still pretty dry despite the recent rains, but by the time we stopped in the northern part of Georgia the trees and grass look healthy and green. The further north we traveled the green intensified and the air was cool and crisp. Our first night in Franklin, North Carolina, felt like a winter night to me. Of course, any temp less than 80 degrees is winter weather to this Florida girl!

The rest of the journey was a pictorial pleasure as we reached higher altitudes and the changing landscape provided a feast for our eyes.

The feast continued when we reached Kentucky for our four-day stay. The drive south to Noah’s Ark in Williamstown and the drive north to the Creation Museum in Petersburg was an ideal birthday present for anyone who loves Biblical history.

One wish on my bucket list was granted as I learned so many details about things I’d only read about prior to the visit. It was the perfect way to spend a milestone birth date, even though I chickened out on the camel ride.

I told the girls I just didn’t want to burden the poor camel with my added weight! I don’t think they bought my story, but I’m sticking to it anyway.

Delores Leggett Walker can be contacted at edmwalk@windstream.net or on Facebook.