May 22, 2012 - Blanchard springs 05-20-12

We went to Blanchard springs. It was a half mile underground tour. It was beautiful. Many gorgeous colors. It is amazing the amount of work in the trails, railings and the lighting that was done. We enjoyed this. We had been to others but it was a nice refresher. We decided to leave for Branson Monday.

May 18, 2012 - Mountain view ozark rv park

We arrived at mountain view at 3:30 central time. Park is nice. We drove on highways until last hour. Then small roads up and down mountains. Rough on truck! Views were pretty but Clayton could not enjoy as concentrating on driving. So much undeveloped land in Ak. One of our bikes fell off. A truck driver told us and it must have just fallen as no damage. We did bring too much stuff though. Live and learn. I will try to send pictures, once I figure it out.

Oct 10, 2011 - Mountain View, Arkansas...

We arrived at the Fiddlers Valley Rv Park in Mountain View, Arkansas this afternoon (Monday)about 4pm. When I last posted we were in Kearney, Nebraska. We then drove through Kansas, with a stop in Salina and a day trip to Abilene to see the Eisenhower Library & Museum. It was well done & we thoroughly enjoyed it. Then yesterday, Sunday, we stopped overnight in Rogers, Arkansas & had a nice visit that evening with Brad Exton's (Ramblin' Rangers) parents. 80+ years young & the nicest folks, we really enjoyed our visit with them. As you can...

Aug 29, 2011 - Folk Music Capitol of the World

Right now, I am "being" in Mountain View, Arkansas, USA. It is the Folk Music Capitol of the World. I know this to be true because there is a weather beaten sign at the city limits that says it is so. This is not a bad little town to visit. Unfortunately, I've been here for almost three years. It's time to get the hell out of Dodge. My plan is to leave for Guatemala in January. I've got a lot of stuff to do between now and then so stick with me. I'll see if I can't regale you with some stories of past steps and present thoughts until then.

May 20, 2010 - Made it to Little Rock, Ar.

Well after two hard days of driving, 950 miles, on some of the worst roads thru La. and Ar. we made it to Little Rock yesterday evening. We saw some really nice areas. Mobile Bay was something to see. I couldn't imagine being their during a hurricane and seeing the rice patties in Ar. was different. We crossed the Mississippi River and yes it is still really muddy. Today we hope to get to see Penny's Aunt Lorna in Peel, Ar. and catch up with Rich, Carole, Robert and Celeste at the COE park just north of Peel. It is raining today, so driving...

May 18, 2010 - Officially on the road

Well today Penny and I officialy get on the road. It has been a difficult weekend saying goodbye to our kids and the hardest was our grandson Landon. We will miss him so much. Our daughter Elizabeth graduated from, Daytona State College last night, so we are officially free birds. Yeah!!!!!!!! Gary & Penny Late entry We made it to Robertsdale, Alabama, just east of Mobile. 440 miles. More tomorrow!

May 15, 2010 - Folk music festival

May 15, 2010 Mountain View, AR Ozark RV Park Our last day here started out rainy - we had thunderstorms all night. Rich and Robert went fishing at 6AM anyway and Rich caught one trout but couldn't keep it. At least they know they're there. We made reservations for our Branson stop 5/21-24/2010 where we'll meet up with Penny and Gary. We tried to get into the same park as the Baker's but they were filled...we'll be at the Lakeside RV Park. This afternoon and tonight we went to the Folk Culture Center to hear the Thumb Pickers (great) and...

May 14, 2010 - Mountain View tour

05/14/10 Mountain View, AR Ozark RV Park We took a tour of the area today to see what was so special about this area. It appears to be the music, folk crafts, and more MUSIC. All the ladies wear long skirts & dresses and pigtails, while the men sport white beards and wear dungaree overalls. But, most are extremely friendly and walk right up and start a conversation. Their town square is one antique or gift shop after another, but they have also kept the old town feeling with their pharmacy and soda fountain , the original town hall, and a...

May 14, 2010 - Folk Music Capital

5/13/10 Dumas, AR to Mountain View, AR Ozark RV Park We started about 9:00 AM this morning and wound our way through back country roads to Mountain View, AR. We decided we needed a stop that had laundry and WiFi so I can take care of my blog. Once we get to Bull Shoals there won’t be any service up there. When we left Pendleton Bend campground we again found ourselves in the agricultural area of Arkansas. Huge farms – apparently co-owned by a big plastics corporation – with mostly fields of corn and rice. We’ve been told this is the rice...

May 12, 2010 - To God give the Glory

I haven't written in a while, just been a little lazy. Every day when we drive around it amazes us of the Beauty of God's creations. I was reading the Psalms the other day and I think this one really helps to explain how we feel. Psalm 65:9-14 - Thanksgiving for God's Blessings - Distant peoples stand in awe of your marvels; east and west you make resound with joy You visit the earth and water it, make it abundantly fertile. God's stream is filled with water; with it you supply the world with grain. Thus do you prepare the earth: you...

Apr 26, 2010 - Hot Springs,AK

We stayed over night at Jim and Susan's house after our day on the SS RAZORBACK, (our campground was about 3 hours away) They graciously made us a wonderful steak dinner, (they are wonderful cooks) and we all had a delightful evening. In the morning we awoke up to homemade Belgium Waffles, sausage and bacon and of course coffee and juice (what a bed & breakfast). Then we were off to the town of Hot Springs, the whole town is a National Park because of the hot springs that flow into the town. The temperature of the water in the springs are...

Apr 25, 2010 - Little Rock, AK

The high-light of our visit was meeting up with friends who live in Hot Springs, AK. They are Susan and Jim Franks, (yes another Jim). They met us in Little Rock to give us a personal tour of a submarine called the USS RAZORBACK, Jim Franks served several years on the USS RAZORBACK, (this was his first submarine of many, over his 20 years of military service), so needless to say he gave us a memorable tour we will never forget. We spent 3 interesting and enjoyable hours on this awesome submarine.