Today we went to the Ark Encounter, much more impressive than the Creation Museum. It is a full sized Noah’s Ark that was built based on the dimensions given in the Bible. Of course with any attraction like this, they had to give some artistic license to what you see inside. The Bible does not provide the specifics on how the inside of the Ark was laid out and how all the water and food was supplied to the animals. The designers of the Ark Encounter provided some very reasonable examples of how things might have worked.
Outside view of Ark
Front view of Ark
We visited on a Monday and for the most part it was not crowded. They have buses that take you from the parking lot to the entrance of the attraction. They do have strollers, wheelchairs and scooters for rent if needed. They also have elevators between each of the floors if you don’t want to walk.
Scene of Noah and his family praying during the flood
The first floor is all about the the flood beginning. The exhibits deal with the type of animals that would have been loaded on the ark and why the number would not have been as great as some scientist have claimed would be necessary to account for all animals.
It also shows all the type of cages. and gives examples of how the animals would have been taken care of and how the cages could have been cleaned. Several examples of types of storage containers.
Clay containers
Examples of the concept for lighting, also made with clay to store oil
The second floor deals with what they called the technology of the ark, how the ark would have been maintained and how the animals would have been cared for during the flood.
Example of feeding a large animal
close up of feeding large animal
The third floor gave examples of what living quarters might have looked like for the families on board. It also has information on how the flood would have impacted the world. It concluded with exhibits about the Bible and its history.
Example of living quarters
Example of kitchen area
Another living quarters
Noah releasing a dove
We were able to see all the exhibits and watched all the films except for one. Decided to skip it as it was the only place where there was a line to view something. My advice if you are going to the Ark is to skip the film on the interview with Noah, it was silly.
hope the Ark was as interesting as it was on the DVD that we saw at church.
The Ark was interesting, if someone is in the area then I would recommend visiting it. I am not sure I would drive all the way from Texas to just visit it, but definitely worth seeing if in the area.
Now that is one big boat.
Yes, it was big. From the outside it looked huge and we thought it would take us forever to walk from one end to the other. Once we were inside it did not seem as big even though we were able to walk the entire length.
Living quarters looked rather nice. Somehow, I am not convinced that Mrs. Noah took time to sew curtains, but who knows?
The living quarters looked nicer than some of the rooms we have had on cruises.