Lake Eufaula State Park, OK

 

Pulled out of the Memphis area this morning around 6:30 AM.  Stopped to fill the gas tank and grab some breakfast from a Dunkin’ donuts.  Crossed the old Mississippi river bridge and into Arkansas by 7:30.  Decided to take Hwy. 64 rather than I-40.  Had reports of all the rubbernecking of the tornado damage on I-40 between Little Rock and Conway.  Traffic creeping along as everyone surveyed the damage.  After we arrived at Conway I came to the conclusion that our route was the best way to get from Memphis to West of Little Rock.  A few traffic lights, but sure beat all the traffic, and I think we arrived at Conway earlier than we would have taking I-40.

Lots of farm land in the Arkansas delta.

  Just as we approached Ft. Smith, traffic came to a near standstill.  Had to detour of I-40 through the town of Van Buren due to an eighteen wheeler flipped on it side, blocking both westbound lanes.  Thankfully, the accident was just a couple hundred feet past an exit so law enforcement was able to detour everyone rather than having to sit in traffic for hours.

Soon we were seeing the hills of Oklahoma.

Thought of Judy and Emma as we passed this sign.

We arrived at the state park around 3 PM.

  Full hookup site for $12.00. 

As you see, the truck is disconnected from the trailer.  I had originally set up with out unhitching, as we only here for the night.  Wanda decided to take a nap and I decided to go for a bike ride.  About four miles from the campground I had a flat tire.  Thankfully, I had my phone and was able to talk Wanda through disconnecting, and unhitching the Casita.  Her very first time in seven years.  She did a great job.  Neither one of us shouted at the other over the phone.

Grilled chicken and Caesar salad for supper.  Amarillo tomorrow, if all goes as planned.

On the Road, again!!

 

Wow!  It’s seems it has been months since we were last on a journey.  Matter of fact is has been since January that we left home with no definite final destination in mind.  Pretty much the same scenario this time as in January.  We have an intermediate destination in about two weeks with plans for ten days or so, but before and after that, it’s pretty much wake up and decide what, and where, for the day(s).

We do have one required stop before the real journey starts, though.  We made it as far as Memphis yesterday.  We have a very important wedding to attend this afternoon.  I know that many of you think we run in a very elite circle, and we do.  We have many high class friends we have met along life's way.  But, no, we aren’t attending the same wedding as Prince William and Prince Harry.  Though they are also in town for a wedding, a scheduling conflict prevents us from attending both.  And, we would rather attend the one we are going to.  A family near and dear to us is gaining a son in law this afternoon about 3:30.  We would not miss the ceremony.

The Casita is parked on its own private slab in their back yard.  Ranks right there with the best of accommodations.

Following all the celebration this afternoon and evening, we plan a good nights rest before hooking up early tomorrow morning.  The direction is going to be WEST.  Bet you would have never guessed, right?  Next post will be from somewhere in Oklahoma, hopefully…….jc

End of an Era

 

As most of you that read this blog know, we have one, and only,  grand daughter which we are very proud of.  I’ve posted about a number of her life events on the blog the last three years.  Homecoming Queen, honor graduate, state championship playoffs in softball while in high school, and her earning a college scholarship in both academics and softball.

We’ve watched her play ball from the time she was five or six years old.  From T-ball to college.

 

She loved it.  Gave it her all.  Nothing interfered with softball.

                                

She played her last game yesterday.  She is about to graduate from the local community college and move on to the University of Southern Mississippi to complete her degree.  She decided it was time to hang up her cleats.  Her decision, totally.  There’s Lots of emotion on your last day.

                                   

But still in the game during warm ups.

 

Last pregame huddle.

There was the preliminary honors for the sophomores.

Then on to the game.

There’s lots of action at second base.

 

Covering first is also a part of playing second.

She’s always had that tongue out when serious.  It’s a wonder she hasn’t bitten it off. 

Soon, it’s over.

Something to smile about.

                                        

  A victory to end the season, as well as a career.

Her last post game.

The seven graduating sophomores.  All going on to further studies.

I know she is going to miss playing ball.  It’s what she did for fifteen years or so.  I also know she is going to miss her teammates. Friendships to last a lifetime, hopefully.  What life holds for her in the future, only God knows.  But I know she will pursue it with the same passion she did softball.

The End………….jc