Arkansas Trip - Cotton Plant

Cotton Plant was my home after being born in Little Rock until just after 4th grade. The farm picture is the farm that my grandfather owned then. Cotton Plant has not been the thriving little town that it was in my childhood for a long time. All of the stores are closed with many of them torn down. This picture of main street from the main intersection says it all. Chris insisted on a picture of me on the "ledge" that goes around the Methodist Church. This was a favorite activity of the kids when I was little.

We visited the cemetery first. The first picture show me at Uncle Sonny and Aunt Ella's grave. The second picture is my grandmother's grave, Kathryn McLeod. This proved to be the most emotional moment of the trip. Mammie died when I was 9. It was just a few months later that we moved away from Cotton Plant for the last time. I left flowers on other graves, mostly family, but also my 2nd grade teacher. I love to visit old cemeteries but this one holds too many people who I knew and many I still love.

The trip to Cotton Plant when from good to fantastic when we stopped to see the Girkins. They are my cousins on my dad's side. I haven't seen them in many years but we were welcomed with open arms. Chris said that they made her feel like family. We went from house to house visiting with everyone. Chris was really amazed by this genuine display of southern hospitality. We might have to go back for a Fourth of July one day to have some of their famous BBQ bologna.

I had to take a picture of a storm cellar, also known as the "Fraidy Hole." I was told that it does get used a few times a year. I do remember spending a few nights in one when I was little. We had a wonderful visit and left with the most delicious tomatoes that Rose picked from the garden. I have enjoyed every bite. Homer gave me a pedal Case tractor for Frank. He just went to the barn and said to take this with us. I was blown away. I WILL BE GOING BACK SOON!!!

Arkansas Trip - North Arkansas

Jimmy and Cynthia Donaldson live in a beautiful place. To say that Northwest Arkansas is beautiful doesn't begin to express how breathtaking the Ozarks are. Jimmy was surprised that we kept saying how BEAUTIFUL it is because I live in the Rockies. It is a different kind of beauty with so MUCH GREEN!!! Jimmy and Cynthia live near Yellville in a cabin they build two years ago. They have carved out an amazing view out over the Yellville area with chickens and goats. They are living the simple country life that so many people would love.

While we were there we visited a cemetery back in the hills. It is something that Chris and I like to do and Jimmy took us to just the right spot. (The older, the better.)

The highlight of the sightseeing was Bull Shoals dam and lake. WOW!!! That is one huge dam.

We visited the dam with Jimmy and his precious granddaughter, Jaden. She likes to feed the carp at the marina. I got down on my tummy to feed the carp and introduced her to "carp petting." Jaden tried it next and was a great carp petter. SILLY FUN!!

We even found the Arkansas version of Almosta Ranch. Chris and I agree that the next time we visit the Ozarks, we'd like to go in the fall. I bet that would be equally beautiful to our June visit.

Arkansas Trip - The Reunion

Arkansas has always been important to me but I haven't visited very often. This visit all began when Kay Higginbotham Allwhite asked about me at the last Cotton Plant reunion. My uncle let me know, I made a phone call which led to me finding her on Facebook. I have to admit, I remembered lots of people but I didn't think they remembered me. I've been gone for so long that to find out that Kay remembered me was amazing to me. A few notes on Facebook and I felt that I had reconnected with Kay, Vivian and Rita. I was such a surprise to look at their Facebook pages and find pictures of me when I was little. Vivian was going to Arkansas in June and the rest is history. I wanted to see my childhood friends. Paul didn't want to go but Chris didn't hesitate. When I asked her if she wanted to go to Arkansas her immediate response, "Sure." We arrived at Kay's house on Friday afternoon to a warm, Southern welcome. We stayed for a huge dinner and talked until dark. It was easy and comfortable talking about our childhood and our lives now. The next afternoon was perfect. Seeing friends that I remember was wonderful. I hope to see Kay, Vivian, Rita, Patsy and Gary again soon. I truly hope that our renewed friendship lasts forever.

Arkansas Trip - On the Road Again

I drove to Dalhart to pick up Chris. We drove to Amarillo, Texas the next morning.

Our first stop was the giant cross at Groom, Texas. This is huge with the stations of the cross, last supper and calvary done in bronze. It is very impressive.

We drove east and found the nicest rest stop just inside the Oklahoma state line. It looked like the lobby of a nice hotel with leather couches, antler chandelier a receptionist to answer any questions.

Before we got to Oklahoma City, we hit a downpour. We pulled off I-40 and checked the iPhone radar app. We decided to go to the next town and eat lunch and let the worst of the storm pass by. This proved to be the perfect solution.

Next up was toll roads. We stopped in Oklahoma City to ask how this is done and get lots of change. Turned out to be easy. These pictures are the ticket and a toll booth where a person takes your money. The toll road is just a straight good road with no billboards or many signs. It was really pretty with just lots of trees.

We entered Arkansas at Siloam Springs where my southern accent immediately kicked in. This was one of the few places that we ran into road construction.

As we drove across Northern Arkansas we think we relaxed and enjoyed the small country roads that we used for most of the rest of the trip. We took lots of pictures of rivers and bridges.

The price of gas really got our attention. The first picture of 3.15 got a laugh from a local. The cheapest gas we paid was 3.04 in Shreveport, LA but we saw 2.99 in North Little Rock.

This has got to be the place to put this lovely roadkill picture. Three different people in three different places promised that they were not feeding us roadkill. It was so fun that the folks in Arkansas can laugh at this familiar joke. I loved the fact that they don't take themselves too seriously. It's silly but also refreshing too. Chris and I were laughing hysterically when we decided to take this picture. Chris had to tell me the picture was ok because all I could do was laugh.

Last on our list was to visit a million dollar rest stop in Texas. This was well done and included a tornado shelter. The outside had a railroad feel. We chose routes that had no repeats. At the end of the trip, except for going through Amarillo, we had not traveled anywhere twice.

Arkansas Trip - The people

The first blog about the Arkansas trip has to be about the people.

Chris went with me and it was wonderful to see Arkansas through her eyes. We laughed until we cried and didn't have a single moment that wasn't great.

Cynthia and Jimmy Donaldson live in Yellville, Arkansas. This is up in the Ozarks and it is breathtakingly beautiful. They welcomed us with open arms.

Kay lives in Searcy, Arkansas and was the person who motivated me to go visit. She was a wonderful hostess to the get together for the kids I went to elementary school with in Cotton Plant.

I got to see Kay, Vivian, Patsy, Rita and Gary. We didn't have any trouble getting to know each other as adults, talk about our childhood, and laugh.

The Cotton Plant cousins were great. They welcomed us and were genuinely glad we came to visit. The top picture from left to right: Homer and Sue (Girkin) Reeves, me,Rose Girkin (Bobby's wife). Second picture: me with Martha (Girkin) and Wayne. I'm really sad that I didn't get a picture of Bobby.

The last cousin to see was Lynn Taylor. He is the perfect Southern gentleman. These people made the trip so amazing.

The real angry birds

I think this is just too funny.

Woman Cave

After the Christmas present of the year, a new Bernina 530 sewing machine, a place to keep that beauty out was a must. I found a table and put it up against the trundle bed. I'll move it to the side when we need both guest rooms. I can look out the window and have the ironing board up all the time. It's great for cutting, pinning, and spreading out. I love it. The added bonus is that I can spread out my cookbooks if I want to work on menus. This is a picture of the first completed project. I love my new "woman cave."