PhotoStory Friday-Haunted

The curvy, twisting, winding, hilly roads of my past now haunt me. Not because of the memories that lie along the way...not because of the cemeteries we visited...but because the hills, curves, twists and turns of the Ozark Hills in Missouri and Arkansas now make me CAR SICK!!! I NEVER suffered from car sickness in all the years of long road trips along those curves and Ozark Mountains as a child or teenager or since....until the last two trips to Missouri. Now when we are on our way to Missouri, before we even get as far as Batesville, Arkansas enroute my husband takes over driving and says "you may as well go to sleep or you're going to be sick!" So that's what I do and I wake up just before we arrive at my mama's house. How miserable! I have always enjoyed the scenic drive through the Ozark hills and can't even enjoy it the way I once did.


This time when we visited, I found a way to travel my favorite roads and enjoy them once more! We hauled my husband's motorcyle to Missouri with us so we could enjoy riding it while on vacation. We took it all over the country roads along the rivers and guess what!? No headache, no queasiness, nothing! I so enjoyed that cruise from the back of the bike!

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Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Althea Springs

While in Missouri for my class reunion, I went on a canoe trip with my classmates. During that float trip, we stopped to explore Althea Springs and dam. Later during our vacation, we spent a day traipsing about the countryside with my family. While out and about we returned to Althea Springs to show Heather and explore once again, with my good camera in hand!

There is an entrance to the area behind the waterfall across the river. It's just a very cold wade to get there! The water is about 50 degrees! Marty, Heather and I ventured in while the rest of my family watched from the dry shore.

For some reason I just really like these photos of my hunny playing in the rushing water! Is this the coldest shower you've ever taken Babe?

Really, that's my hand coming from behind the water. By this time my legs had been in the water so long they were NUMB!!!! BRRRRR!

Marty parted the waters so Heather and I could come out from behind the falls without getting completely wet.

Heather and I decided it was time to get out of the water and warm up!

My niece Cece. I'm told she is a mini-me but with red hair!

Marty and me in front of the dam. What a cool place!

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One, Two, Th....Oh Wait I'm Not Ready!

During our trip to Missouri, we headed to nearby Arkansas to Norfork Lake for a day of swimming with friends. The day turned out rainy and cold so not many ventured out. Those that did had a fun time playing in the water and catching up.


My friend Steve drove about 3 hours just to come see me and meet my family. It was great to catch up with you again Steve!!!

Steve snapped this picture of Heather, me, and Marty on one of the cliffs at the lake.

More friends joined us too despite the rainy, cold day! (Jesse, Christy, and their kids Jessica and Joseph)

Marty and Heather peeked over the edge to see if they wanted to jump off into the water far below.

And away he goes!

Marty just before he hit the water.

It took Heather a little longer to work up her nerve but she went for it. Not me! (Notice how far below her Marty is)

Marty climbing back up the cliff

Always so graceful!

At least she's smiling!

The climb back up almost kept Heather from plunging in.

Christy and Jessica contemplating whether they'd jump.

Jessica decided not to, so Heather jumped with Christy.

SPLASH!

Despite the cold and rain, it was a fun day at the lake catching up with friends!

PhotoStory Friday-Hodgson Mill

While I was in Missouri for my class reunion/vacation, my mom, sisters, and we set aside a day to take a drive to the cemeteries, to the river, and to a couple of mills we have always enjoyed visiting and photographing. During this outing we visited Hodgson Mill. It is a beautiful mill in a beautiful setting. The last few times I visited Hodgson Mill it had been closed down and was for sale. It is open once again with a little gift shop inside and once again contains historical facts about the mill and area. These places have always fascinated me!

Doesn't that look REFRESHING?!

aaahhhh! Tastes refreshing too! Mmmm fresh spring water!

Me and my sister Regina

Just a goofy shot of me with both my sisters. (Lacey, me, Regina)

My niece Danielle and my sister Regina

The view of the spring from the mill






My family (me, Heather, Marty)

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My First Canoe Trip

From the time I was 8 years old until I was 18, I spent part of every summer at Hammond Mill Camp...either at 4-H camp, White Oak Camp, Dow Camp, or Bible Camp (am I forgetting any of them???) My mom was a stay at home mom, but cooked for camps and reunions all summer long and often we were able to attend with her. Most of those camps included a time slot each day for canoeing. Granted, you could only paddle so far upstream and then back down again in a very short distance but most thought it was great fun! Until my high school reunion in Missouri last week, that was the only canoeing I'd ever done.

I was so looking forward to the planned canoe trip with my classmates! My husband Marty had canoed before, but we'd never been together. I tried to convince my daughter to go as well but she wasn't interested. She'd love to canoe sometime, just didn't want to go with all these people she'd never met. I am sure that had she known how cute some of my classmates' teenage sons are she'd have gone with me! lol

I think of all the reunion activities planned for that weekend, the canoe trip was my favorite. Many did not participate and what a fun day they missed!

There were a few along on the trip that had floated that portion of the Norfork River many times and knew all the cool places to stop and explore! At one point we all stopped our canoes on a large bank and pulled out our coolers and had a picnic.

As we all first headed down the Norfork. Those of us who didn't rent canoes put in at Blair Bridge (among many SNAKES!!!!), and we met up with the rest at Sunburst Ranch.

Don't scenes like this make you want to grab your paddle and come along??? Well you CAN!!!! After so much fun was had on this trip it has been decided our class is going to do this ANUALLY!!! Can't wait to see you all again next year!!!

Stacey and Melissa chillin' at one of our stops along the way.

Marty and I really enjoyed our first canoe trip together and are ready for another!

We paddled up this little creek that runs into the Norfork River, to take our group picture. I'm so glad there were some so familiar with this river and knew of places like this!

All of us, minus the kiddos, that attended the canoe trip. You all were a blast to float with! Thanks for one of the best times I've had!

Marty and I floated alongside Stacey and Melissa for much of the trip.

You have to DUCK under Patrick Bridge!!!

Near Patrick Bridge, we all stopped and hiked up a trail I had never been on and enjoyed the sites of Althea Springs and dam. Wow! That place was awesome but the water was so very cold! I got in the water and by the time I waded across my legs were so numb! Brrrrr!



What a beautiful place!!!! Thanks for showing it to us Kurt!






Behind the waterfall!




I magically emerged from behind the waterfall with dry hair!!!!

Scott parted the waters of the dam so we could come out from under it without being pummelled by COLD water! Thanks Scott!!!!




Marty and me above the dam

I just like this photo I snapped of Marty when I was above the dam:

Saying goodbye to those who had to take out farther down to return their canoes and kayaks.

Our awesome tour guides: Kurt and Tara. Thanks for showing us so many awesome places along the river and thanks Kurt for organizing this trip!

As always you can click on any picture to see it larger or to be taken to the site where ALL my canoe trip pictures are located!