#7 Natural Bridge, VA

Natural Bridge is one of the oldest Tourist Destinations in the Untied States! The Natural Bridge was formed when a cavern collapsed and left the span that stands today.

Once you pass under the bridge the trail continues for a mile along Cedar Creek and ends at Lace Waterfall! The trail was fabulous because it was mostly paved or packed down so we took the boys all the way to the end...

At about the mid-point of the trail there is a replica homestead of the Monacan Indians, who called this area home. William enjoyed exploring the homestead until he came across the two people in the tent dressed as Monacan tribesmen providing information to hikers on the trail!

William and Daddy taking a rest in the Monacan site...

William and Daddy trowing rocks into the bottom of the falls.

William and the falls! James didn't get to enjoy the falls because he slept the WHOLE way!

Natural Bridge is a fabulous place to take children! A little old and run down but everyone was fabulous and helpful! The hotel there was really neat looking and had a restaurant on site! Also if you are going to do the hike, there is a cafe at the beginning of the hike at the beginning of the creek that we wished they would have advertised! It was so peaceful and relaxing with Many other activities such as a Zoo, a Drive-thru Safari, Wax Museum, Toy Museum, and Natural Bridge Caverns!!!

#6 Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Charlottesville, VA

The Ballard Boys have been busy since our last travels... They have left stormy KY for the beautiful and historic Charlottesville, VA. So fittingly we begin our travels with Thomas Jefferson's Monticello!

Taken advantage of our long 4th of July weekend, the Ballard Boys escaped to Thomas Jefferson's mountain to explore his pride and joy.

Jebby exploring Jefferson's many vegetable gardens.

William checking out the huge cabbage!

Time for a little rest in a "shady pot" as William would say...

Daddy and his Best Buddy next to the beautiful flowers on the terrace...

All-in-All a fabulous last minute trip out to Monticello! Everyone was fabulous and welcoming to a family who forgot their stroller! William's only disappointment was that he never got to meet Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson we will be back!

#5 Bourbon Trail, Kentucky

The Ballard Boys took over Maker's Mark Distillery, which is the nation's oldest working distillery...

Mommy and the Boys played while Daddy listened to the tour guide...

Daddy and Willie at the entrance to the one small distillery building...

This is a picture of one of the buildings at the distillery. It's claim is the nation's first "ride- through" liquor store! As you can see it is built up on stones, which are built to the exact height you would be if you rode up to the window on a horse!

This is their one and only distiller...

Daddy tasting their "mash", I think that is what they called it... I'll admit the only thing I really learned on the tour with two babies is "Every Bourbon is a Whiskey but not every Whiskey is a Bourbon..." Or at least that's how I think it goes...

One of the warehouses on site. This one houses all the ambassadors' barrels but we didn't see Jason's name anywhere...

Jebby fits perfectly in one of the barrels!

Finally a happy Jason at the tasting portion of the tour.

And an even happier Jason when he gets to dip his own bottle!

Some more of the boys playing outside at the Distillery! It was a Beautiful day and a Beautiful place!! If you only have time to do one distillery on your Bourbon Trail, I'd suggest Maker's Mark! It was really Beautiful and already decorated for Christmas!

#4 Kurtz Restaurant, Bardstown, KY

Nestled along the Bourbon Trail is the family-owned Kurtz Restaurant. Everyone enjoyed their signature pan fried chicken and Kentucky fried ham.

For dessert, we tried their signature Biscuit-and-Bourbon bread pudding. Which we were told was like bread pudding but they soak the raisons in bourbon... The taste...like they poured a bottle of bourbon on perfectly good bread pudding!!! The Ballard clan is not a fan of Bourbon in their pudding...

# 3 The Old Talbott Tavern, Bardstown, KY

Which is the oldest western stagecoach stop in America! We had a delicious dinner with our guests Susan and John. Everyone had the KY favorite Hot Brown, even though we forgot to take pictures... It is the signature Sandwich of the English Grill at the Famous Brown Hotel in Louisville.

#2 Abraham Lincoln's Birthplace, Hodgenville, KY

The Ballards took over Hodgenville, KY to explore our 16th President's Birthplace. Abraham Lincoln's birthplace monument is quite impressive... Here are the boys standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Lincoln's birthplace home is housed inside the monument. But once inside we were left wanting more....

Here it is, Lincoln's birthplace home... or... more like a replica of what it probably looked like...But you can't go in it or even touch it because, why, it might fall over and they would have to build another replica of his birth home??? We were a little confused...

At the bottom of the monument is a spring where Lincoln took his first drink of water... Yep, that is what the marker said!

William getting his History Lesson.

Once we finished at the Birthplace we continued our exploration of Lincoln's early years at his Boyhood Home...

Nestled along a KY backroad we found a Pavillion, a porta-john, and a small log cabin. Once again, that's it, oh and two historic markers... So we plopped the boys down for a photo op before we headed on to dinner...

One marker talked about Lincoln almost drowning in Knob Creek, so while we are here, might as well check out the creek...

...dry as a bone!!!

So off again, Hopefully our next stop will be more exciting...

...Wait is this Lincoln's burial spot too?!?!?!? We took a picture just in case...

#1 Lynn's Paradise Cafe, Louisville, KY

The Ballards first adventure with the Book, 1000 Places to See Before You Die, takes us to Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville, KY. A Fabulous little restaurant which was featured on a few Travel Channel and Food Network Shows. With a Crazy atmosphere and Delicious food, it didn't disappoint for our first family adventure!

Jason ordered the signature breakfast that was featured on the Food Network, Bourbon Ball French Toast! I played it safe with the Club Sandwich, I know, shocker!

The boys had a blast watching the excitement from the crazy decor and staff to the painted art that surrounds the cafe!

All in all, two thumbs up from the Ballards!