Carter Caves, Kentucky

A Weekend Adventure We Didn’t Know We Needed

On July 12, 2026, Adam surprised me with the perfect overnight getaway. He simply told me to pack clothes for outdoor adventures, loaded up all of our climbing and kayaking gear, and we hit the road. After about an hour and a half, we arrived at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Kentucky, ready for whatever the weekend had in store.

We spent the afternoon hiking the park’s beautiful trails before grilling burgers for lunch. Afterward, we launched our kayaks onto the lake. While we were out on the water, a torrential downpour rolled in. Most people would have rushed for shore, but we couldn’t stop laughing as we paddled through the rain. It ended up being the most memorable and magical part of the entire trip. Once the storm passed, we headed to the lodge, cleaned up, and enjoyed a relaxing dinner.

The next morning, we tackled one of the park’s designated climbing areas. The climb definitely humbled us—it completely kicked our butts—but it was worth every sore muscle. After climbing, we returned to the lake for another kayaking adventure, this time enjoying a picnic right from our kayaks. Unfortunately, our adventure was cut a little short when one side of Adam’s inflatable kayak started losing air quickly. We paddled back to shore and decided it was time to head home.

On the drive back, we made one last stop at a charming roadside antique shop. We were told the sweet lady sitting on the porch had just celebrated her 103rd birthday. We spent some time browsing and found a few really neat treasures before continuing home.

Sometimes the best adventures aren’t the ones that go perfectly—they’re the ones filled with surprises, unexpected rainstorms, challenging climbs, and little roadside stops you never planned. This weekend was exactly what our souls needed, and it reminded us once again that the greatest memories are often made outdoors.