Ozark Mountain Fun

We decided to take a day trip to Mountain View on Sunday…
(We really wanted to stay the night but after calling everywhere realized planning a Labor Day trip isn’t possible on Labor day weekend!)
the weather was gorgeous.   It’s been over 100 here for so long, and then
suddenly I think it was about 70 (maybe cooler.)  Lovely and sunny.
Mountain View is about 2 1/2 hours from North Little Rock, and it’s a beautiful scenic drive.
First we went to Blanchard Springs Caverns.  We went on the longer tour, which I haven’t been on since Scott and I were dating.   (They close that trail when it rains a lot or in the fall/winter when the bats are hibernating.)    It was a fantastic tour, I enjoyed it much more than the Dripstone Tour we usually get to take.   My oldest now wants to do the Wild Cave tour!  (She might have to do that one with her grandma, as I am a bit claustrophobic.)
My phone doesn’t take good cave pics!
After the caves we wandered down into the park to the springs.  It was very crowded due to Labor Day weekend and a wedding, so we didn’t stay long.  *Note: with your cave tickets you get access to the picnic area, swimming hole, and springs for the day!
Horseback riding was next on the agenda.  I had a horse that was due for retirement in a day, and I think she knew it.  She was just not into the ride! 🙂  There were wild boar and deer on the trail!
We tried to make it in time to visit the Ozark Folk Center, but would have had only 30 minutes for that.  Next time.  There is a new ropes course on the grounds of the Folk Center called Locoropes.  We did manage to squeeze in time for some of that…
Emily Almost to the Top
All the kids (even my man and mom-in-law) made it up the rock walls and down the zip line.   I was really proud of Max because he is afraid of heights but managed to make it down the zip line!  There was an awesome agility/tree course that scared me to look at.  You go from tree to tree on these swings, bridges, ladders… Very cool.  I know we’ll be back up there. 
Jac- Zipping
Sharon on the Zip Line
Can you find Max?
 After that adventure we were starved and had to go to our favorite pizza joint in all of Arkansas, Tommy’s Famous Pizza.  We have made special drives the 2 1/2 hours just for their pizza.  
Yes, it’s that good.   (Make sure you take cash though, Tommy’s doesn’t take plastic!)  

Kids and Their Gran-Gran
After dinner we strolled over to the town square to listen to music.  Mountain View is famous for it’s music jams on the weekends.  There are little gazebos and stages everywhere with people just setting up and jamming all night.  Bluegrass, gospel, folk, country…  
And, in case you didn’t get enough pizza there are snack places open all night!  
Nighttime Fun in Mt. View

A wonderful Sunday! 

Terra Road Trip

I’m so behind on everything lately…
School started for my kids back in early July. Then, my oldest
decided she wanted to try a private girl’s school so we had another first
day of high school last Monday.  And of course, I took pictures of none.  (Bad, bad, mommy.)
I will have to make pretend ones and pose them this week…
Thought I’d show you some pictures of a road trip my honey and I took to Fayetteville in July.
We met in Fayetteville at the good old U of A many moons ago.  (Where my parents also met.)  
It was a fast and furious business trip but we managed to have fun!
Sculpture Gardens at Terra Studios

There is a place called Terra Studios on the way down the “Pig Trail” that I’d always wanted to go to when I was in college, so we went.  They make those little “Blue Birds of Happiness” out of blown glass?  It was set up as an artist colony long ago and has a ceramic, metal, and glass studios, along with a really fun store and cafe. In the store you can watch them blow the glass bluebirds.  I think it was 115 degrees the day we went and the poor guy was out there blowing glass!
I Think I Want To Live Here
With This Guy
Troll Family We Met

Fat & Happy Dragon
Fancy Fountain

It’s Hard to Take a Picture of Butterflies

Scuba Tanks Into Chimes

Lovely Lady

My Friend the Trash Troll
My kids would love this place! 

Sundays in My City

New Murals On the River Trail

Max on the “Secret Trail” He Found- We met the artist that designed the mural above while exploring!

One of The Many Monsters in Town

You Never Know Who’s Looking

Rock Monster

Pretty Cliffs

Mimosa In Bloom (They remind me of Panama)

My Guys By the Arkansas River

On Sunshine Theory…

I believe in sunshine therapy…

Grass I wish was mine

Pretty Blossoms

Violas in my Flowerbed
Clover in my yard
Happy Buddha watches them grow

 

My Azaleas

 

Twin Dogwoods in the Neighborhood
 Iris Laughing

*Make a note that I’ve changed my blog address.  
You can find me at www.panamamama.com or www.thepanamamama.com now! 

On Spring Break (part 2)

Camping at Lake Catherine in Hot Springs with sweet friends was 
the first “real” part of our Spring Break.
Playing around at the Mid-America Museum

Can you spot my frozen kid? (Can’t keep them out of the water.)

Sweet when they are sleeping

Boating on Lake Catherine

Luna Moth Newly Emerged

Spring -Sprung
When is our next camping trip??

A special thanks to my mom for all the pictures.  I forgot my camera and my phone battery decided to play dead for the trip.  Thanks, mom!
Part 3 Tomorrow!