I told you I would blog whilst on this vacation. SO...here it goes.
After a nice start on Monday morning, we reached the Ozark mountains in record time. I, as usual, was driving like a true, law abiding citizen. We reached the Tyler Bend (Buffalo National Park) visitor's center around 11:30 a.m. After visiting with ranger Rick and viewing the interesting assortment of stuffed wildlife within the air conditioned center, we decided to make the 1.3 mile hike to the river overlook. This would not normally be a problem, except normally I wouldn't have a 5 and 9 year old along. These two girls, coupled with the fact that I am ridiculously overweight and out of shape, made the hike almost unbearable. Okay, the fact that I am ridiculously overweight made the hike almost unbearable! Oh yeah, and there were SPIDERS! Spiders hanging like invisible death ninjas from every freakin' tree. Guess who gets to lead...yeah, me. So picture me on a narrow winding path along side a mountain, swinging my arms in the air and screamin "they are in my hair...I think it was a black widow...ahhhh! Kim get it out...is that one on my back...THAT IS a brown recluse!"
Once I had procured a stick to use as a sword to slice through thel arachnid's traps, I then felt prepared to carry on. Nevermind the gnawing thought of snakes, bears and wild squirrels. After what seemed like 3 hours (11:47 a.m.), we reached the river overlook and took some nice pictures. Then...we had to walk back...ahhhhh! Luckily there was a neat old homestead on the trail back. This provided about 22 seconds of relief and entertainment as my chest heaved like I was sucking liquid oxygen through a swizzle stick. I included a picture...of the homestead...not me sucking liquid oxygen through a swizzle stick.
I am now in Branson (don't ask...it is a long story). Tomorrow I get to see Shoji Tabuchi (a favorite of eRics) and the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede (yeah, ponder that one a moment). I also get to see the 50's at the Hop show on Wednesday (many a JazzCat will remember that one).
Here are a few pictures from my "hike" (much more like the Bataan Death March for me).
manteca
