Sunrise, Sunset

 Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset - Swiftly Flow the Days
(Lyrics from Fiddler on the Roof)

 It's hard to believe we have been on the road for 10 days. So far we have enjoyed:

  • LakePoint Resort SP (State Park) Campground, AL
  • DeSoto SP, AL, Little River Canyon Waterfall
  • Hernando Point Public Use Area, MS
  • Memphis, TN - celebrated our anniversary at Charlie Vergo's Rendevous BarBQ and shopping at the Bass Pro Pyramid, the largest Bass Pro in the country
  • Table Rock SP, MO in the Ozarks
  • Branson, MO - home of one of only five Southern Living shops. I should have left my wallet with Dave.
  • Lake Catherine SP, AR

Items in blue are on reservoirs created by dams. And we all know how much we like dams after the Harrowing Narrowing.  

Sunrise at Hernando Point Public Use Area, Hernando, MS. This is an Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) campground, and was our first time using this type of camping area. It was very well-maintained, and not as busy as state parks usually are. We will be using ACE campgrounds a lot on the way home in May.


Sunset at Hernando Point. Photo credit to Keith, who submitted it to the ACE Facebook group. Notice the white bucket under the front of the camper. A "must-have" when traveling with a dog, whose nickname, Troop, rhymes with what-of-his goes in the bucket. It's just like walking him in the neighborhood. Responsible pet owners have to stoop-and-scoop.

Dave's F350 with our 29 ft. North Trails Lite Camper.
Home-sweet-home away from home.

  Our stop in Missouri, at Table Rock SP, was near Branson. We arrived after a very long day of driving all the way north through Arkansas. We took a walk around the lake to stretch our legs and were blessed with a gorgeous sunset.



The whole point of this trip to California is to see our newest grandson, Coen James, who had yet to make his appearance when we left. He decided he wanted to be a leprechaun and harassed his mother for 19 hours until it was St. Patrick's Day. Here's a cute pic for you lads and lassies to enjoy until I get him in my arms for some snuggle time.

Photo credit: Jill Lavarnway,
maternal grandmother


 

Seen at Bass Pro only 2 days after Coen's birth.
Dave made me walk away. Three times.


 My favorite part of Branson was the water feature, which was programmed by the folks who create the magic at the Bellagio in Vegas. The dancing water with flames was set to Aaron Copland's "Hoedown" from Rodeo. If you'd like to listen, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk-hiW_CMtM.


Not the Bellagio, but entertaining nonetheless.

 Today we visit our first of ten national parks on this trip: Hot Springs National Park, in (where else?) Hot Springs, AR. Daughter Kristi has been there, and gave us some ideas for hiking and locations of cold springs for filling water jugs. We won't be basking in the hot springs baths, however; no dogs allowed. Even if he needs a bath. Especially if he needs a bath.

Stay tuned for a compilation of funny names we've come across. Sneak Peek: You haven't lived until you've been to Toad Suck Park. Really.

What's that? How many years have we been married? 46. Dave and I met at church youth choir when I was 13 and he was 14. Dave was tall, handsome and he had on the grooviest chartreuse sweater. *sigh* Eventually, in high school, I quit band to join the swim team. This infuriated my mother, who saw 10 years of flute lessons, years of practicing (with at least one year of shrill squeaking while I tried to find my embouchure) and lots of dollars for a professional level Gemeinhardt instrument, go down the swimming pool drain. She also knew the reason I switched. There was this tall, handsome guy on the swim team who used to wear a chartreuse sweater. *sigh*

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

Sunset in the Ozarks



PS I love you, Coen! *sigh* -Nana

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