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Over the fourth of July weekend, Dan and I decided to go camping in Ouachita State Park in Arkansas. We haven't been in two years so it was time. I love watching Dan prepare for something he's really excited about. He's making mental lists of all the "gear" we need, browsing the aisles of Academy sports, smiling non stop, he's in his element. I love it. It's great being the one along for the ride, when he preps for something it's going to be fun and NOTHING will be forgotten. He's prepared. When we arrived the parking lot was completely full, thank goodness we had the jeep because we parked in a side of the dirt road, in a ditch between two trees! We HAULED it up the hiking trail, and as we hiked in we kept a lookout for open campsites. Afterall, the parking lot was full. Anxiety disappeared when we found our favorite site overlooking the river was open! Did I mention they were all open, except one?Me, hauling it up the trail- you may be wondering where my head is.Dude- I'm five foot!
We threw up our tent and did a quick change into our swimsuits. Well, it would have been quick except it was so hot in our tent we looked like a shower head was turned on us! Sticky wet clothes... yuck. Who the heck cared- we were swimming in the Little Missouri River and it was worth it! The best afternoon of the summer! The river is so clean you can see your toes and the fish swimming by. Natural slides down the falls, rope swings, huge rocks to lay out on- pure heaven. About five thirty a gianormous black cloud rolled in. And, yep, it brought thunder.
Dan- Little Missouri River, Ouachita State Park
My sweet husband decided to pack it up and get out of Dodge. I love him. Thank goodness his idea of fun camping doesn't include sweltering in a tent while it rains all night! I thought I was a goner, I was prepared to stick it out and put on a brave face. So we threw our gear in our packs and hauled our booties back down the mountain. I guess everyone else knew about the rain but us so we weren't prepared for everything, oh well. By the time we got back to the parking lot it was empty, except for our lone jeep in the ditch. So we tell everyone we went "camping" but I guess it was a daytrip to go swimming with a bunch of gear! We laughed all the way home and couldn't wait to sleep in our comfy bed in the AC. Oh yea!
One last pic before we left
Deer beside the road on the way home
Hey friends! Sorry I've been absent from blogging- Dan and I have been enjoying our summer, hope you have too! I'll post a few of our projects we've been working on + fun adventures we've had. Since graduating from college and joining the office world, sometimes I feel like summer passes me by in the air conditioned busyness of the day. I'm guessing a lot of us feel like that! So this year I tucked some things in the back my mind, a little list of "Things To Do To Really Experience Summer". So far-picking blueberriesEATING blueberries (I found an super simple recipe we dived into on the fourth)sonic runs at 10:30pm reading- I finally finished Harry Potter- it was so good!swimmingdinner under the pecan tree in our backyardfarmer's market downtown"camping" in Arkansasenjoying camp days out at Camp BethanyWhat's been the best moments of your summer? It's not over yet (yahoo!) Would love to share the highlights!Okay, so this was our first project this summer and wow was it worth it! The first time Dan and I toured our house we both agreed- "If we buy it, the bathroom sink is the first to go". So month after month went by and the horrible thing stayed. We kept thinking "oh it's the next thing on the list" until something else came up- you know it works. Ta Dah!! We finally pulled the nasty thing out and replaced it with a fabulously white, clean, space saving, fully functioning, cost efficient, we-now-love-our-bathroom, sink!Before- love how the Mardi Gras cup gives it the "used" look
stinky drawers that never worked...
After!
Why the heck did we wait so long? Our morning routine is so much easier! I can stand at the sink and Dan can walk behind me now without turning sideways and stepping into the tub. He was so excited the first night that he busted out of the shower, kicking his legs and singing "New York, New York"! Look at all that floor space!
We threw up our tent and did a quick change into our swimsuits. Well, it would have been quick except it was so hot in our tent we looked like a shower head was turned on us! Sticky wet clothes... yuck. Who the heck cared- we were swimming in the Little Missouri River and it was worth it! The best afternoon of the summer! The river is so clean you can see your toes and the fish swimming by. Natural slides down the falls, rope swings, huge rocks to lay out on- pure heaven. About five thirty a gianormous black cloud rolled in. And, yep, it brought thunder.
My sweet husband decided to pack it up and get out of Dodge. I love him. Thank goodness his idea of fun camping doesn't include sweltering in a tent while it rains all night! I thought I was a goner, I was prepared to stick it out and put on a brave face. So we threw our gear in our packs and hauled our booties back down the mountain. I guess everyone else knew about the rain but us so we weren't prepared for everything, oh well. By the time we got back to the parking lot it was empty, except for our lone jeep in the ditch. So we tell everyone we went "camping" but I guess it was a daytrip to go swimming with a bunch of gear! We laughed all the way home and couldn't wait to sleep in our comfy bed in the AC. Oh yea!
