A High Seas Adventure

The Ark Encounter,
Williamstown, Kentucky

In the nine days since my last blog post, Gary and I have been on a (figuratively speaking) high seas adventure. The Ark Encounter (click on that for their website) is a recreation of Noah's Ark, as described in the Old Testament book of Genesis, chapters 5-9. This amazing attraction is located in Williamstown, Kentucky, about 40 miles south of Cincinnati.

link to purchase this book:
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For those who may not be "Bible buffs," I'll give a quick digest of the story: God decided to flood the earth due to human wickedness, preserving Noah, his wife, their 3 sons and their wives. Over some 75- 100 years Noah and his sons constructed the ark per the instructions given to them by God and then a representation of the animals entered the ark with the family of 8 humans. A catastrophic flood covered the entire earth while the people and animals remained entirely safe in the ark for a total of about a year. At the end of the storm and after the waters began to recede, the ark rested on a mountain. As the occupants of the ark departed, God promised to never again destroy the earth by flood, confirming His promise with a rainbow.

It is a fascinating (and I believe TRUE) story that my synopsis falls short in explaining. This recreation of the ark is a graphic re-telling of the story and an absolute marvel to see.

I took a lot of snapshots (a real photo-dump, as we bloggers like to call it). I will label some of the pictures but will TRY to keep my commentary minimal. As they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." You will see that I was fascinated with the size of the ark. 

Our first glimpse of the ark from the parking lot: note the tan, one-story building on the left of photo. Beyond that is a dark structure -- that's the ark.

This picture taken from inside our truck, looking toward the entry area where tickets are purchased (if not done previously on-line). There is a metal-detector. We were told if we were carrying an umbrella, to hold it above our head while walking through security. At this location we boarded a shuttle bus that took us to the ark area.

the tower on to the right of the ark
is a part of the zip lines

If you check their website, there are different options for tickets. One could easily spend several days at this attraction both due to the enormity of information and exhibits inside the ark as well as to take advantage of the zoo, the zip lines, the shops, and eateries. We chose the one-day senior pass which cost us $60 each. Prices vary by date and age.

We thought this was a good time to go, when public schools are in session and fewer families are on vacation. But as the day wore on, we still saw a lot of people, including home-school families. There were many seniors, like us, and I can't tell you how many tour buses were in the parking lot, there were so many. 

Again, a snapshot to prove we were really there (I can still hardly believe we got to make this trip!) and to illustrate the size of the ark, which is some 150 feet LONGER than a football field.

Approaching the entrance to the ark. We walked underneath it, past the fence. We walked up many wide, gently sloping ramps throughout the ark, including at the entrance area. Everything is very user, handicapped, wheelchair-friendly. We saw some elevators, too, but the ramps were comfortable enough for us. There is a great deal of walking involved, but benches were conveniently stationed throughout (and we used them!).

My photos will not be in chronological order according to the story. There were many exhibits like this one, which is Noah with his family praying, thanking God after the flood. 

Huge, true-to-life cages with detailed animal statues of all kinds, and sound effects, filled the lower levels. It was like a zoo (but without the smells!! 🤭)

Gary looks into the cages of the animals. As you can see, while giving the impression of being dimly lit, the entire area is easy to navigate and has a wonderful ambience without the animal scents and motion of the sea.

There were the animal cages, posters, and all kinds of illustrative exhibits on all 4 levels of the ark.

In the very center of this picture is one of the ramps to get from one level to the next. 

A large wall was devoted to the names of donors who contributed to make this project possible.

I think my favorite part of the ark were these rooms depicting the living areas where Noah and his family resided. This particular one is what is imagined to be the living quarters of Noah's son, Japheth and his wife. Each scene illustrated some assumptions that have been made about the personality or preferences of the different individuals. 

More of these life-like rooms:

This scene depicts Noah and his wife as he releases a dove to the outside, in an effort to determine if it was time to leave the ark. He did this a couple of times, with the bird returning. On maybe the second or third time, the dove returned with an olive twig in its mouth. Eventually he sent out a bird that did not return, indicating they could go outside onto dry land.

I did not take pictures of the snack areas and gift shops inside of the ark. There were also many displays focused on creation, how animals have developed from the days of Noah, and so many other really interesting subjects having to do with the Bible, all very well researched. There was more to see and read than our energy would allow, and also as time wore on, the crowds greatly increased. We were very glad we were among the very first to arrive that day.

For our lunch, we chose to order a burger and French fries outside and ate at one of these tables. 

While there were snack concessions and shopping kiosks inside the ark, outside were more of the same, including even a sit-down restaurant. The above wood sculpture is a purchase I made at one of the gift shops.

And of course, if you know me, I found refrigerator magnets to remind us of this wonderful adventure. 

These are our tickets. Souvenirs.

This is a map of the entire area. It is a very family-friendly attraction with something for everybody.

This is a diagram of the ark. If you go, be sure to wear comfortable shoes!! 

After our lunch, we had seen all our minds could absorb and needed a rest. We rode a shuttle bus back to our truck and headed south and west to our next adventure, which I plan to share in my next blog post.  

From Matthew 24: 38-39, 42 and 44:

For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…..Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara