Vacation Illness

After a six-year break, I took a week-long trip from June 16-20. It started out as a fun time, but ended in a way that we hadn't planned.

For most of my life, vacation has primarily consisted of going to CHAMP Camp. I had seven years as a camper and then volunteered for 16 years as a counselor. I still maintain their website and promote camp whenever possible, but I can no longer endure the physical needs to be a counselor. This year was CHAMP Camp's 35th anniversary and alumni campers and counselors were invited to come on June 17.

Dad wasn't certain the van could handle the trip, but my parents, night caregiver, and I were eventually on familiar roads to Martinsville, IN. The night before we left, I noticed a green creep across my face any time I considered out destination. After allowing my caregiver to sleep a few hours, we drove 15 minutes from the hotel to join everyone for lunch.

I wasn't sure how many people would still be around that I knew, but it felt like returning home. Most of the campers were new, but familiar faces were everywhere. It soon became routine to hear "Joel!" followed by a hug and story telling. It felt very good to generally be welcomed and missed by so many. Mom concluded by the end of Tuesday that I had received more hugs in one day than I had in years. It's a shame more places aren't as excited to have you come.

We stayed as long as we could Tuesday evening before returning to the hotel. About mid-morning Wednesday, the four of us drove further east to the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY. My first visit to the museum was during Father's Day in 2015. I was excited to see what had changed in ten years, as well as what remained the same. An entirely new entrance had been made that was a fair distance from the main building. It was fine on a clear day like we had, but it would have been a long stroll through rain or snow if weather was different.

Watching weekly updates from the museum, I knew what exhibit changes has been made. I was thankful to see a large section on the sanctity of human life and how a baby develops in the womb. As society continues to advocate for the murder of the unborn, more such displays are needed. The other changes were also fun to see, but the core message stayed the same. Unfortunately, I didn't research enough and we missed the new butterfly house by 15 minutes. However, the multitude of plants in the new greenhouses were fun.

Our final day with activity was Thursday, June 19. Our hotel in Kentucky was between the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter and made for a short morning commute. My first visit to the Ark was in 2018 and I knew a lot had changed. Just like the Museum, a new welcome area greeted us before entering the main attractions. Several buildings have also been added to include a virtual reality tour of the flood and other displays. The displays in the Ark itself were mainly the same, as I assumed they would be, but I almost felt like I missed some of the information I had seen the first time. However, we did get to tour the zoo this time and see the much anticipated zorse and zonkey. Before leaving, our group watched a live show in the new auditorium. Seeing it in person for the first time, I had dreams of serving God by getting to be a speaker and teaching from the stage.

In order for my night caregiver to get rest, we left the hotel late in the morning and returned a little earlier than we would otherwise. However, I think we saw mostly everything and missed out on just a few shows. Thursday night, laying in the hotel room, my lungs started to feel sore and congested. It turned into a souvenir I didn't purchase, but definitely won't forget. That will be on the next entry as it has been a story of its own.