• A Gorge-ous Weekend

    ByKristin Greg, marriage, road trips

    About once a year, usually in August or September, Greg and I try to get away to celebrate our anniversary. This year we chose to venture eastward in our home state to Red River Gorge, which is a neat, geologically diverse area with the Daniel Boone National Forest and nearby Natural Bridge State Park. 

    Sometimes we forgot we were in Kentucky! 

    We spent three nights in the cutest cabin that was in a good location to all the places we wanted to go. Honestly, we dove into the weekend without much research, got into some adventures that were harder than expected, had fun anyway, and remained committed to finish. Really, it’s an analogy for our marriage, and I’m especially thankful for the endurance, faithfulness, and commitment we’ve shared over the past 24 years. 

    Here are the highlights of the trip that gave us a chance to catch our breath away from everyday life, reconnect at a peaceful pace, and just enjoy being together:

    And here’s where we ate:

    I’m so glad we took this trip, even though I have no idea what took us so long to see this part of the Bluegrass State. 

    Need inspiration?

    *****

    God authors the stories on our porches and wherever we go. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive #PorchStories emails about every other week.

  • Gateway to Girl Time

    ByKristin Rachel, road trips, spring

    My husband and teenage son planned a golfing trip for the last part of Spring Break, so a girls’ weekend with my 10-year-old daughter seemed like a good plan. I ended up taking her to St. Louis because we’ve been there several times when our oldest two were around her age, and I knew there were things she’d enjoy. Circling back around to been-there-done-that activities are part of parenting an age gap like our kids’.

    Day 1

    Hello, girls’ weekend with my youngest while the boys are golfing in Arkansas and the college girl is working on her assignments and already had Spring Break. I’m not used to this splitting up the family for vacation, but it is what worked this time. 

    We drove to St. Louis in the morning and met up with our friends who were also in town at the zoo. Such a beautiful, fun day! The St. Louis Zoo is free, but, of course, there are plenty of opportunities to pay for extras, like the carousel, stingray exhibit, train, and face painting. Let’s just say, my girl talked me into three of those four examples. 

    After some downtime at the hotel, Rachel and I walked next door to Mac’s Local Eats, where I may have had the best burger of my life. Gooey Garlic. Yum. The fries were good too. And we shared a lemon blackberry milkshake that was amazing! 

    We ended the evening with a trip to Trader Joe’s and Target that shared a parking lot not too far away. We got a few treats for this weekend and home! 

    Hotel booking tips

    I like to earn cash back when I travel, so I either book on Expedia (where I earn points and get cash back with Rakuten) or through my Capital One Venture card. Regardless, I pay with my Capital One Venture card because I love the rewards that let me erase travel purchases. This time, we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites at Forest Park. It was an idea location for our itinerary, and I felt safe there traveling alone with my daughter. 

    Day 2

    We slept in before heading down the street to the science center. We spent a few hours there exploring all the exhibits and watching a Serengeti OmniIMAX movie. Rachel’s favorite sections in the science center were about outer space and gaming. 

    We lunched at Fitz’s, where we shared fish and chips and a dirty soda called “At the Beach,” which was pineapple soda, coconut cream, and mango syrup. We also bought some fruity sodas and took a picture of the dirty soda menu so we can create the deliciousness. 

    We spent the afternoon and evening with our friends, who stayed just west of us in Chesterfield. The kids swam, and then we all went to Top Golf for entertainment and dinner. 

    Day 3

    We slept in again, and then headed downtown. 

    Our first stop was Soulard Market, where we bought some baked goods, an aloe plant, popcorn, and a few other random things. Rachel didn’t want to go, and then didn’t want to leave. That’s been a recurring lesson this weekend: Mom’s ideas aren’t so bad! 

    Then we headed to the Gateway Arch National Park, where we attempted selfies and marveled at the size. We explored the museum and got some snacks for lunch, including toasted ravioli. 

    We came back to the hotel for some rest and swim time. I’m really into the book I treated myself to the other night when we were at Target: “The Night We Met” by Abby Jimenez. Dinner was back at Mac’s Local Eats next door, and we ordered the exact same deliciousness as the first night. 

    Our night ended with a Third Day reunion concert. Zach Williams opened, and the whole night was really wonderful. You know how after you make a reservation or talk about a trip, Facebook starts showing ads about that place? Well, for once, I’m thankful for that because not long after I booked our hotel for St. Louis, I saw an ad that Third Day was bringing its reunion tour to Chaifetz Arena on St. Louis University’s campus. I bumped our reservations a day, so Rachel and I could go. 

    And I’m so glad we did! Third Day was a soundtrack to the early days of me following Christ. The songs propelled me to know God and His word better as a new believer. 

    Last night I realized I became a Christian the same year (1996) they started Third Day. So at the band’s tour celebrating 30 years of music, I reflected on 30 years of faith. I’ve come so far, by God’s grace alone. I’ve learned so much but ultimately know Emmanuel, God is truly with us.  

    So many words came back to the forefront of my mind as I sang along. And so many memories reminded me that this life of faith is truly a journey. Praising the Guide for all the days, and this trip! The one-on-one time both Greg and I had with two kids this week was a gift I didn’t know we all needed.

    *****

    I love to share about our travels, so be sure to check out this list of some of my favorite travel accessories. And check out all my pictures from this trip on Facebook.

    God authors the stories on our porches – in every season, wherever we are. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to  #PorchStories emails to receive them about every other week.

  • Escape to Chattanooga

    ByKristin marriage, road trips, writing
    2 Comments

    “So that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” — 1 Peter 1:7

    I’m grateful for the encouragement & inspiration I brought home with me after two days at the Refined Conference so beautifully hosted by Mandy Roberson and her fabulous Market Refined Media & Publishing team.

    I hugged people who walked alongside me in the self-publishing process but had only been names on the screen, reconnected with an old friend, signed books and shared conversations with new friends, and heard compelling stories from creatives I now follow on Instagram. It’s not lost on me we opened and closed the conference with worship & prayer. That’s where all our work, skills, and stories belong — surrendered to Jesus.

    While I was at the Refined Conference on Friday and Saturday, Greg played golf at Bear Trace at Harrison Bay and Moccasin Bend. I had lunch both days from Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy and became a little obsessed with the Spicy Mami sandwich. 

    Then I sat down the laptop down for a couple more days and finished my much-needed getaway with my husband in Chattanooga.

    We had dinner at 1885 Grill on Friday. My Shrimp and Crawfish Étouffée was delicious — and we put away many hush puppies with honey butter. Then we went to see Ruby Falls, which was fun! 

    After the conference on Saturday, we had dinner at Scottie’s on the River, which had good food and a good view. Then we decided to go to a minor league baseball game because it was a nice night. The Looksouts versus Trash Pandas was entertaining and we walked up and bought tickets in the third row near home plate. 

    On Sunday, we went to the Chattanooga Market had lunch at Naked River Brewing Co. My brisket tacos were good but the service wasn’t great. We rode the incline railway up Lookout Mountain and hiked to Glen Falls, which we knew was dried up from the drought. 

    We met my cousin/friend Mary and her husband, Kyle, at Tony’s Pasta Shop. I like pasta fine, but this may have been the best pasta I’ve ever had. I had beef ravioli with broccoli, Italian sausage, and spicy Alfredo sauce. Then Greg and I did a quick Trader Joe’s trip to get some fun groceries to bring home. 

    Before we left town this morning, we had a late breakfast at Big Bad Breakfast. I wanted everything on the menu, but my French toast was delicious. Greg’s biscuit crumble was yummy too. 

    I’m thankful for a chance to getaway from normal life, think about what God is calling me to write next, sleep in, eat good food I didn’t have to plan, do fun things with Greg, and just have some time together about a month after celebrating our 22nd anniversary. 

    *****

    Traveling is one of my favorite things to share about, and here are some of my favorite (travel) things and tips on how to take the trip (any trip).

    And here are some family-favorite trips: