The Great Dougherty Road Trip

✅ Day 12 – July 16, 2025 Barboursville, WV → Mammoth Cave, KY 🌤️ Weather: Warm and muggy, occasional clouds 📍 States traveled: West Virginia, Kentucky 🛏️ Lodging: SpringHill Suites, Bowling Green, KY 📸 Daily Highlight Click to view the full Day 12 photo gallery 📝 Highlights 🍳 Early breakfast at SpringHill Suites in Bowling Green. 🏞️ We toured Mammoth Passage , one of the most famous routes in the largest cave system in the world. 😲 The vast tunnels and ancient formations impressed everyone — especially the kids, who had lots of questions for the rangers. 📸 Plenty of opportunities for epic underground photos and a quick visit to the gift shop afterward. 🤪 Daily Fun Prompt If you discovered a brand-new cave, what would you name it? (Be creative — it could be funny, mysterious, or adventurous!) 🧠 Reader Challenge: Drop your cave name idea in the comments or tell us if you've ever been to a cave yourself!

🗓️ Day 11 – July 15, 2025 Toronto, OH → Barboursville, WV 🌦️ Weather: Overcast, occasional showers 📍 States traveled: Ohio, West Virginia 🛏️ Lodging: Delta Hotels by Marriott, Barboursville, WV (Arrived around 8:00 PM) 📸 Daily Highlight Arriving in Barboursville after a long but scenic drive along the Ohio River https://photos.app.goo.gl/R1nUt2Z1LUcW3Xnu5 📝 Highlights Today marked the end of our visit to Sow’s Ear Farm, and though it was hard to say goodbye, we were ready for a new adventure. 🚙 Instead of staying the full day, we left in the early afternoon to get a 4-hour head start on tomorrow’s longer drive. 🛣️ Our route followed the Ohio River, giving us a beautiful, winding drive through southern Ohio and into West Virginia. 🌆 We pulled into the Delta Hotel in Barboursville around 8:00 PM, giving everyone a comfortable place to rest — and letting us check off a visit to West Virginia! 🤪 Daily Fun Prompt If you could visit any of the ...

📍 Where We Went We started the day with a drive-through tour of Franciscan University , taking in the campus from the comfort of our cars. After revisiting Old Fort Steuben for souvenirs, we made an inspiring visit to St. Joseph the Worker College , where we were sent by  Mr. Sullivan , the school’s director and a new friend. In the early afternoon, we said farewell to the Sow’s Ear Farm and made an impromptu decision to get a head start on tomorrow’s long drive. Our new destination: Barboursville, West Virginia — giving us a chance to experience a new state and follow much of the scenic Ohio River route. We arrived around 8:00 PM and settled in at the Delta Hotel for the night. Weather: Warm and clear — great for a scenic road trip Drive Time: ~4 hours (Toronto, OH to Barboursville, WV) 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 10 🙏 Highlights of the Day Touring Franciscan University from our cars — scenic and meaningful Going to...

📍 Where We Went Sunday started early with a beautiful Mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Steubenville — celebrated ad orientem , which was a reverent and memorable experience for many. Afterward, we enjoyed a hearty lunch and performances by the kids at Shawn and Beth’s house . The day ended in full summer style with a “ pavilion party ” — volleyball, good food, and swimming in a cool creek rounded out the evening perfectly. Weather: Warm and sunny Drive Time: Minimal local travel 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 9 🙏 Highlights of the Day Early morning Mass at St. Peter’s, celebrated ad orientem Lunch with Shawn and Beth — and kids’ skits that brought lots of laughs The epic pavilion party with volleyball, a delicious spread, and refreshing creek swimming ✏️ Reflections What was your favorite skit or moment from the kids' performances? Did today feel more like a Sunday of rest or adventure? Would you swim ...

📍 Where We Went We spent the day exploring nearby Steubenville, Ohio — a mix of history, local charm, and hidden treasures. The morning was filled with antiquing downtown , while the afternoon brought a fun and educational stop at Old Fort Steuben , a fully reconstructed 18th-century frontier fort. Weather: Warm and partly cloudy – great for walking around town Drive Time: ~20 minutes round trip 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 8 🙏 Highlights of the Day Treasure hunting and browsing in Steubenville’s antique shops Touring Old Fort Steuben and learning about frontier life Seeing artifacts, blockhouses, and even a jail from the late 1700s ✏️ Reflections What was the most interesting or unusual thing you saw today? How did the fort compare to what you expected? Did anyone find a great deal or quirky item in the antique stores? 🎉 Today’s Kid Prompt If you had to live in a frontier fort like Fort Steuben, what jo...

📍 Where We Went Our first full day at Sow’s Ear Farm gave us a chance to breathe, explore the land, and enjoy a slower rhythm. The kids discovered fields, trails, and animals, while the adults got a feel for our new home base. Some light organizing and outdoor fun rounded out the day. Weather: Overcast with a cool breeze – perfect for exploring No driving today! 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 7 🙏 Highlights of the Day Walking the property and meeting the animals Getting settled into rooms and routines at the guesthouse Relaxed day with games, chats, and a bit of local flavor ✏️ Reflections What’s your favorite part of the farm so far? Did you spot any animals or nature that surprised you? How does life here compare to the cities we’ve driven through? 🎉 Today’s Kid Prompt If you could live on a farm for a whole year, what would you want to do or take care of? 🫵 Challenge to the Reader Have you ever stayed...

📍 Where We Went We kicked off the day with an incredible visit to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton — a giant collection of aircraft and aviation history that amazed kids and adults alike. After a chaotic but memorable lunch stop, we finished our drive to Toronto and settled into Sow’s Ear Farm , our home base for the next several days. Weather: Light morning showers, then overcast skies Estimated Drive Time: 4 hrs 15 min 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 6 🙏 Highlights of the Day Exploring massive hangars and rare aircraft at the U.S. Air Force Museum Lunch at McDonald’s — a bit of organized chaos as we overwhelmed the staff with our group size! Departed for  Sow’s Ear Farm around 3:00 PM and a quiet evening settling in ✏️ Reflections What was the most surprising thing you saw at the museum? Did you enjoy seeing the planes up close? How did it feel to finally reach the farm after several tra...

📍 Where We Went Today was a true travel day as we left Missouri and journeyed through Illinois, Indiana, and finally into Ohio . Our route took us south of Indianapolis, avoiding city traffic while still getting great views of the heartland. Weather: Cloudy skies in Missouri, with scattered thunderstorms as we moved through Indiana and into Ohio Estimated Drive Time: 6 hrs 45 min 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 5 🙏 Highlights of the Day Leaving TownePlace Suites in Chesterfield, MO after breakfast Driving through four states in one day! Skirting the edge of Indianapolis and crossing into eastern time Arriving at SpringHill Suites Dayton Vandalia for a quiet evening and a chance to recharge We had a hard time finding signs for each state to take a photo in front of! ✏️ Reflections Which state felt the most different from the others? What helped you pass the time during the long drive? Did you notice anything i...

📍 Where We Went St. Louis gave us a day full of adventure, iconic landmarks, and creative energy! We started at the Gateway Arch National Park and later explored the wild and wonderful City Museum . Weather: High 90°F / Low 74°F – Showers in the morning, thunderstorms in the evening 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 4 🙏 Highlights of the Day Riding to the top of the Gateway Arch — 14 tickets were already purchased by Jen! Creative chaos at the City Museum : climbing, crawling, sliding, and exploring a world like no other Enjoying hotel downtime after an exciting and exhausting day ✏️ Reflections How did it feel to be at the top of the Arch? What was your favorite discovery at the City Museum? Which moment today made you laugh the most? 🎉 Today’s Kid Prompt If you could design your own room using ideas from the City Museum, what would be inside? 🫵 Challenge to the Reader What’s the most unusual museum you’ve ...

📍 Where We Went Today we said goodbye to Tulsa and made our way northeast to Missouri! It was a long but adventure-filled drive through scattered thunderstorms and beautiful stretches of countryside. Weather: Scattered thunderstorms from OK to MO Estimated Drive Time: 6 hrs 15 min 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 3 🙏 Highlights of the Day Morning breakfast at Springhill Suites in Tulsa Quick stop at the OKKAMO (Oklahoma-Kansas-Missouri) marker Lunch and a fun break at Buc-ee’s in Springfield! Arrival at TownePlace Suites Chesterfield for a restful evening ✏️ Reflections What did you notice during the drive today? Did anything surprise or amuse you at Buc-ee’s? How are you feeling now that we’re in Missouri? 🎉 Today’s Kid Prompt If your van could transform into any vehicle for this road trip (spaceship, submarine, dragon, etc.), what would you choose and why? 🫵 Challenge to the Reader What’s your favori...

📍 Where We Went Our first full day in Tulsa was packed with fun, exploration, and time to relax! After breakfast at the hotel, we headed out to the incredible Gathering Place , one of the best public parks in the country. Weather: High 89°F / Low 73°F – Scattered Thunderstorms 📸 Daily Highlight 📷 Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 2 🙏 Highlights of the Day Exploring The Gathering Place – with its imaginative playgrounds, gardens, splash zones, and riverfront trails Some brought or bought lunch and picnicked together under the trees Back at the hotel for swimming, snacks, and some well-earned rest! ✏️ Reflections What was the coolest thing you climbed, splashed, or explored today? Did you notice anything creative or artistic in the park? How did today feel different from yesterday? 🎉 Today’s Kid Prompt If the playground came to life at night, what do you think the slide, swings, and splash pad would do? 🫵 Challenge to the Reader ...

📍 Where We Went Today we launched The Great Dougherty Road Trip ! Everyone traveled from their own hometown to meet in Tulsa, Oklahoma. K&D dropped off Lexi in OKC S&J left from Gainesville P&C drove up from Carrollton We checked in at the Springhill Suites Tulsa and got settled for two nights. Weather: Sunny with afternoon clouds (High 95°F / Low 76°F) 📸 Daily Highlight Click here to view the full album for Ohio Day 1 🙏 Highlights of the Day Attending 5:30 PM Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Sapulpa Swimming with Aunt Kim and Uncle Jerry Seeing Grandma Myrna — it was a huge blessing to visit with her, and everyone was encouraged to see how well her health is improving! ✏️ Reflections What surprised you today? What was your favorite moment? What are you grateful for today? 🎉 Today’s Kid Prompt If you could pack one surprise animal in your suitcase to bring to Aunt Kim’s pool… what would it be and why? 🫵 Challenge to t...

📍 Our Journey at a Glance From Texas to Ohio and back — follow along as eight adults and 12 kids take to the road for two weeks of faith, friendship, family and adventure! This is our working rough draft, please add any suggestions corrections or comments! 🗺️ Route Overview Click the map below to explore our major stops: 🗺️ View Our Trip Map 🏕️ Where We’re Going Day 1–2: Tulsa, OK Day 3–4: St. Louis, MO Day 5: Dayton, OH (or Indianapolis) Day 6–10: Toronto, OH Day 11–12: Bowling Green, KY Day 13–14: Memphis, TN Day 15: Return to Dallas, TX 🧭 Follow Along We’ll post updates, photos, quotes, and daily reflections as we travel. Check in each day and feel free to leave comments!