Going Home — Three Happy Campers

May 30

May 30 Going Home

Hello Everyone!

We wanted to share a few pictures of our travels back to Atlanta in April. We have been home now for a few weeks and have enjoyed catching up with everyone! How wonderful it was to see our children, parents, and other family and friends!!

We hope you are all safe and well. The last few months have been strange for sure. I recently saw a sign that said, “We are distant, but we are together.” That’s how we feel about you all. Being not only socially distanced, but many miles away during times of uncertainty causes us to treasure everyone we know and love all the more.

It was part of our original schedule to come home in May to vacation with our family. NOT part of the plan was coming home two weeks earlier than scheduled due to the closing of most businesses and state and national parks. Thankfully, national and state parks are reopening, and we are ready to be On the Road Again. (Insert Willie Nelson’s tune here.) 😄

We will update you soon on our upcoming destinations and adventures while heading out west! We love you all and pray you stay strong, safe and healthy,

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

The clouds in Albuquerque, New Mexico reminded me of the Toy Story movies.

Cadillac Ranch along Route 66 west of Amarillo, Texas. This roadside art was the idea of an Amarillo billionaire and a group of hippies in the 1970s. These cars were driven, in working order to this site and then buried nose down in the dirt. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own spray paint and make their mark on the cars. The art is a tribute to the 1949-1963 Cadillac tail fins, and for all to enjoy. 😊

The fields around Cadillac Ranch made for a great photography spot as well.

Run, Clay, Run!

Our RV Park in Amarillo also wanted to get in on the Vehicle-In-The-Dirt fun. 😊

Our stay in Watonga, Oklahoma (population 2859) was like going back in time.

No open bowling allies here. 😉

In Oklahoma we camped in Roman Nose State Park. Henry Roman Nose was a highly respected Cheyenne Indian Chief recognized as a vocal proponent of obtaining education and training while keeping the Cheyenne culture. He died in 1917.

At Roman Nose, our RV neighbors had a baby goat. They had to bring it on vacation because it had no mother, it required feeding every few hours. Clay typically doesn’t care for dogs, but was extremely curious about this kid!

Clay still trying to figure out what kind of creature this might me.

Soo cute!!

On Easter Day, we arrived in Arkansas and visited Craig’s brother, Keith, and his lovely family, Tiffany, Travis and Katie. It was so wonderful to see and hug family after social distancing for what already seemed like forever. The next day, we went hiking. Travis didn’t get to hike because he was working. Our visit with them was truly special. 🧡

Keith and Tiffany also took us by The Walmart Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. This museum is a replica of the very beginning of what we know as Walmart today. The truck outside was actually Sam Walton’s transportation back in the day. Walmart’s home office is in Bentonville..

Hot Springs, Arkansas, had some beautiful scenery.

…and some pretty serious hairpin turns as well.

I’m not exactly sure what is going on with these trees but thought it was worth snapping a picture.

Another picture of the hugging/kissing trees.

While in Hot Springs, Arkansas, we discovered what Travel + Leisure magazine calls the state’s Best Kept Secret—Hot Springs National Park. Not fully a nature park (although there are some lovely trails) the park is located in the middle of Hot Springs, where Bathhouse Row is located.

Bathhouse Row is a row of eight bathhouses or spas built over geothermal springs that run under the main street in Hot Springs. For nearly 200 years, people have been coming to experience the springs and the healing qualities the 145-degree waters are believed to have. The heat and moisture deteriorated previous structures, and in the late 1800s-1920s, the current bathhouses were built as luxurious retreats for the famous and wealthy to enjoy.

Although many of its competitors closed between 1962 and 1985, The Buckstaff Bathhouse is the only bathhouse that has continually been open as a bathhouse since it’s opening in 1912.

The Fordyce Bathhouse, built in 1912, became the first bathhouse on the Row to go out of business in the 1960s, but it has been extensively restored and is now a historically furnished museum, and functions as the park’s visitor center. Within the park, there are hot spring fountains and cool water fountains to provide the spring water to the public.

Springtime was beautiful in Pelham, Alabama, where we enjoyed the exceptionally green Oak Mountain State Park.

This tree fungus in Alabama was interesting to me. It typically grows on dead or dying trees and is a part of the cycle of life in the forest. The fungi themselves have rings that indicate how old they are. Some fungi are thriving at 30-50 years old!