Hocomo

On Monday of our vacation we stayed pretty close to Mom's house as we were pretty worn out from the long drive and then the long day Sunday exploring Boxley Valley. We slept in a little and I asked Mom to show me again the old school where my Grandpa attended first grade. I knew the approximate vicinity but could not remember exactly how to get there.





The last time I visited the school we took photos from the road as the owner of the property had fenced in the school. This time we decided to venture a bit closer and walked up the owner's driveway for a closer look. As we approached the fence with our cameras the farmer, on his tractor, shouted to us that we were welcome to go through his gate and into the pasture for a closer look! We didn't hesitate and headed to the gate.



I'm afraid the building may not stand many more years and was happy to capture some shots of it.


My mom standing in the door:
 


Nearby there is also an old spring house that was surrounded by some pretty fall colors:


I'm very thankful that my husband will generally stop when I yell "stop" so that I can simply step out of the car for a photo. He doesn't always know what I've spotted but if possible stops anyway. That day, one of my favorite photos of the trip was snapped:

Boxley Valley

After our hike in the "Lost Valley" we drove around in Boxley Valley looking for the elk that  are seen reguarly along the roadside. As we waited and drove we stopped for photos:

















And Finally, the ELK!!!









I had never before seen elk in the wild and had never heard one bugle except on tv. What an amazing experience and sound. Now I understand the lines of cars with people stopped on the roadside, watching, waiting, cameras ready. What a beautiful beautiful place!

Wordless Wednesday

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Boxley Valley, AR

After our detour in Cotter, Arkansas we proceeded onward toward Boxley Valley. The hills and valleys were breathtaking! Just before we reached our destination all 3 cars in our group stopped above the valley to see the panoramic view. The beauty and the colors literally brought tears to my eyes. It had been so long since I'd seen vivid fall colors and I was in awe of the beauty God created for us to enjoy.

Cotter, AR

Last week my family and I traveled to West Plains, MO to spend a week of vacation with my extended family. We stayed with my mom and step dad in the home where I was raised. Trips back home always bring back so many childhood memories! I love the Ozarks and find beauty in so many places so close to Mom's home.

Mom and I made many plans for places to see throughout the week. She and I have long loved to take walks, enjoy nature, and of course take photos!

We arrived on Saturday with a big family get-together on Saturday night (photos and post to come soon!). Sunday most of the family decided to join us to travel to Boxley Valley, Arkansas. Mom had told me of a valley where she had hiked to a waterfall and watched elk. She thought it would be beautiful with the fall leaves turning colors. She was so right!

On the drive to Boxley, not far into our journey, we stopped just outside Cotter, AR to enjoy a pretty view. We all decided to take a closer look and drove down to the bridge we could see. My sister and her husband knew the area well and led the way.







We ventured up onto the train tracks for more photos...


.....and then down the tracks to the tunnel we could see in the distance. Of course not one of us was brave enough to cross the bridge so we climbed back down, drove back across the river to a campground where my sister Regina knew the way to the tunnel on the other side.


My daughter Heather and my husband Marty:




The view from inside the tunnel:



Silhouette of my mom: