November 27, 2010

Today is our last day before we head home tomorrow.  We awoke to a beautiful day and plan on spending the day snapping the camera around the park again.  Shyla barely budged this morning.  She is extremely wore out and we will let her laze about for a bit but she won’t be able to laze it all day!

Today we head toward the boat ramp.  There is a boat out on the lake with several fisherman.    On shore we pass two older women, that are camped a few sites away, fishing with what look like cane rods.  As I was photographing them I turned to look at Andrew and the light was glimmering just to the side of him.  It almost looked as if a spirit is next to him!

We got pretty goofy at this point trying to capture a picture that resembled the light coming out of my mouth as if I am an alien or something.

After our foolishness we got back to shooting our surroundings again.  I really like the perspective on the plants and the background on the photos.

Tiny lone maple leaf sprouting its way through the rocks by the shore

Walking back up the road we noticed the arrow and worked for about 30 minutes trying to get the shot without shadows.  I almost succeeded with Andrew.

Then the foolishness was back and this time we were shooting shots of me on the playground swings.  He had one in which it looks as if I am part of the world that is found in between the living and the dead…..oooohhhhwwwww!!!

Boy I am so thin you can literally see through me...hahahah

Back at the campsite we were able to capture a beautiful shot of the sun setting in the west.  A beautiful way to end our trip as we will reluctantly leave early tomorrow to head home

Woke to a very brisk morning, though the sun is out today. The sun rising across the lake enticed me to take the camera out and try to capture some of the spender of the rays glistening on the lake. I am experimenting with close ups and sun bursts. I think that I am starting to get the hang of the manual settings somewhat on the camera finally. I have even played around with using the flash to highlight areas that normally would not use a flash but would remain very flat. I have also tried capturing pictures in which part of the scenery is obstructed with an object directly in the forefront. They seem to be coming along nicely.

Shyla found some tasty morsel left by the previous tenant.

I actually did not notice the spider until after I took the shot

The golden leave against the brillant blue sky moved me

We are planning to visit Hot Springs today and hike the hill around the observation tower. The hill is a small National Forest Park.Probably the smallest national park ever that I’ve been too. We decided to hike the pike trial not realizing this was the shortest and steepest of of the trails to the top. I was quite winded by the time we reached the top. Definitely not the trail for the smoker (though we did pass one such lady puffing away at hers decided that after about the first 200 ft it wasn’t the trail for her and turned back down). Once at the top we took in the view then decided to take the long way back down. At least we thought it was down. Turns out that it is down for a short distance and then ascends back up to crest over the next ridge. Shyla and Andrew I believe were in competition to stay in the lead. I don’t feel too bad though. Shyla has four legs to keep her moving fast and Andrew…..well his legs are at least a foot longer than mine, giving him a much greater stride, almost 2 to my 1. Watching his stride from behind I can see why they both leave me to eat their dust. The hike took us about 2 1/2 hours to complete with us leaving the trail back to the car just as the sun set. Lucky because it would be nearly impossible to see the trail after dark, though I guess we could just start making our way down the mountain until we reached town again.

Map showing the route we took.

As we neared the end....still about 40 minutes to go though.

Near where we parked is an outlet for the natural spring the town is famous for. It is free to bring your water jugs and fill up. We didn’t have any big ones like everyone else was unloading but we did fill up all our empty water bottles. The water at this site is a cold spring where as many of the springs in the town are actually hot springs…..hence the town name!

Tonight is turning as cold as last night and when we arrive back at camp the temperature says 35 on the readout in the truck. Close to freezing already…..going to be a cold one for sure tonight. We decided to make it an easy dinner tonight.  We have tried to stay away from as much junk food as possible on this trip and so instead of buying beef for hamburgers we have switched to veggie burgers.  Different texture and definitely less fat/moisture I am a little difficulty on this fryer cooking them up.

This skillet has been a wonder tool. Every meal we have had has been prepared on warmed up on this thing!

This is one half of the camper that houses the sink, table, and my sleeping quarters.

I believe we over did the walk with Shyla as once she laid down she actually did not have the strength to get back up. She was shivering a bit so we decided to let her lay on the bunk with me as I have the mattress pad heater and it should help her. But when she tried to get up she couldn’t even get her feet under self. Poor thing. It was rather comical but and I know we shouldn’t have gotten the chuckles we did at her expense!  Andrew had to pick her up and carry her to the bed. We even gave her a blanket to lay over her too.  At least she will have some pampering tonight!

November 25, 2010

Today is Thanksgiving Day.  It started out very warm.  Last night we slept with the windows open even though we did have to close them up once the storms let loose on us in the middle of the night.  The wind really picked up too.  The early morning was calm but the clouds began brewing shortly after 10 am.  Most of the day was spent inside the camper as it really rained cats and dogs on and off for several hours.

We purchased a pre-cooked pot roast before we left Dallas and plan to have that today along with some carrots, mashed potatoes, peas and some nice bread.  Bought a bottle of wine on the way home last night and so it would seem that we are set for Thanksgiving dinner.  The only thing missing is the girls.  I wish they were with us.

I must admit it is so much less stressful having a holiday away than at home.  Andrew and I were discussing why I seem to dread the holidays.  I think he hit the nail on the head.  Most families use the time to catch up with each other as they probably haven’t seen each other for months living so far away.  Having a family that always lives close doesn’t provide an opportunity to catch up as you already know what each other is already up too.  Conversation and company is what I think my holidays lack. It is always in a rush it seems to be somewhere else.  Rush to eat the food and rush to go home, rush to visit the extended family.  I think living so close make it easy for them to turn up and leave at their convenience rather to just relax and hang loose.  I always like Christmas Eve gatherings rather than Christmas Day.  No one is rushing to get up or rushing to get to different families all in one day.  Well that is the way it used to be.  Over the past couple of years even Christmas Eve has developed a rushed feeling.

The rains finally quietened down in the early afternoon but then temperatures began to drop.  By dusk the temperature had dropped to around 38 or so degrees Fahrenheit.  Andrew went and took a few night shots with his camera.  I have tried with mine but I seem to get too much noise on the photos.  All of these were taken after it was dark but one or two or them look as though it is still light out.  From our campsite we can see the green lights at the other sites across the way but from here it looks like the one light that is attached to the outside of the building.  However in these photos Andrew not only captured the light but also the illumination of the light on the surroundings.  He is really good at capturing what is not there to the visible eye (I guess it is there we just don’t notice it) by adjusting how much light and how long the light enters the lens.  I just love these photos.

As the temperatures continue to drop we turned the portable heater on but it was only able to take the bitter nip off the air.  We finally settled in to watch movies tonight.  Even Shyla found the air a little more brisk than her fur could handle and found a cozy spot on the couch with us trying to absorb some of the heat.

We stayed mainly around the site today. Andrew did a bit of drawing and I was content to read huddled in a blanket by the lake.

Currently reading Robin Cook’s new thriller “Cure.” Not as good as some of his other books in the past but still enjoyable. I have a theory that the writers don’t write their own work anymore. The stories just don’t have the same feel about them. First felt this way with Stephen King’s novels. For anyone that reads horror The Stand is a master piece, especially the unabridged version. That is not to dismiss many of his other stories like “It,” “Rose Madder” and “Misery.” The way he would spend chapter after chapter developing his characters and scenes. Slowly and sometimes painfully building the plot so that the reader is fully enveloped in the story. And then suddenly the stories changed. The characters no longer had the time put in them to develop a true understanding of the character. The story lines became choppy at best. Dean Koontz was next to change in style and now I am finding for most of my favorite authors this is becoming more so. Andrew says he thinks authors are buying no name writers work and putting their name on it. Could be … would be a shame to sacrifice great books to keep up with a quota of that yearly novel. I would rather wait a couple of years if I get a novel worth reading than to invest time in novels that just don’t deliver.

In the afternoon we took a stroll through the park, this time to the campsites at the other side that seem more popular. I They are nestled more in the trees and have great pad sites but the view of the water is limited as it is only an inlet.

View from the tent pad area

I mentioned earlier that the water level was down and it is more apparent in this area as the boat ramp was closed because the water level is too low to accommodate for entry. Maybe that is why it is quieter this year. Last year several campers had boats with them. Without access maybe many decided it wasn’t worth it. The weather could also be a small factor as it has showered just about everyday. Nothing to keep us cooped up in the camper but definitely not all sunshine. I quite like the gloomy feel though. I have always liked it. It does keep people away and so you feel more like your surroundings are your own. When we were away in Colorado I loved the afternoon showers and look forward to seeing the clouds gathering in the late afternoon.

We also played around with camera shots.  Andrew has been teaching me how to adjust the settings on the camera to create dynamic effects.  I really like the close up shots too from different advantage points and so I found some leaves to experiment with.

Built a fire early tonight and spent several hours watching the flames and embers. Funny how memorizing a fire can be. It draws you in and demands your attention. If you watch closely as the heat transfers back and forth between embers it is easy to envision the life it holds. Then in a twinkle the life suddenly dwindles and the coal grows quiet and another takes its place.

By 7 pm I was completed ready for bed. It took all my strength to keep my eyes open until at least 9pm.  I have always been an early to bed early to rise person but with the fresh air, exercise, and early night hours now 7pm feels more like 10pm.  Still waking early so maybe I am just getting some well needed sleep!

November 21, 2010

Woke up fairly early this morning to find the campsite in a blanket of fog.  It reminded me of the Scottish moors.  I took some pictures of the campsite and camper to capture the moment.

Andrew and Shyla are slow to awaken this morning.  I know Andrew is probably fairly tired after driving all day yesterday.  He really spoils me when we travel.  For the most part Andrew always does all the driving.  I assume the role of navigator.  We have decided to relax today.

After a breakfast of french toast, eggs, and bacon (hmmm…yummmm…..yeah we know maybe not the most healthiest but we are allowed some treats on vacation) we decide to take a walk around the park…gotta walk off that breakfast of course!  Shyla is much better these days and with the park as quiet as it is she is able to run to hearts content off the leash to this tree and that taking in all the smells that the present occupants have left for her.

The weather is unseasonably warm.  Last year at this time it was sunny but the wind gusts blowing cut right through the clothing leaving you chilled to the bone.  This morning I was able to walk around most of the morning clad only in a pair of sleep shorts and a t-shirt.  So as we walk we find ourselves warming up quickly.  Shyla however has no problems cooling down as we head towards the waters edge as she dives in for a quick cool off.

Oh the benefits of the dogs life!  The water in this lake is crystal clear and even the waters bottom consists of fine sediment and so does not get murky like most the lakes in Texas do.  Many lakes in Texas are very fishy smelling but we have not found that the case in Arkansas.  I wonder if it is the soil that makes the difference. As we stroll we have noticed the lake levels seem very low this year.  Based on the shoreline it would seem that the water has dropped several feet this year.  It was a very dry year in our part too. Later that afternoon close to sunset the clouds and mist finally cleared away.  Not too cold but just enough we decided to light up a fire in the pit.  Watching the sun set Andrew popped off a few great shots of the sun setting on the horizon across the lake.  I say popped off lightly but I am awed at his artistic abilities to capture that perfect pose.  I tried a few of the fire but his were way more dynamic and so I have included his instead.

view at the end of peninsula at sunset

We had good intentions of watching a movie on the portable player but all that fresh air really must be good for you.  By 8 pm I felt as if it was midnight and was having trouble keeping the eyes open.  By 9 pm I was out!

We are up early this morning in hopes that we can depart earlier than our usual noon drive away. We have booked a site at Daisy State Park in Arkansas. We stayed here last Thanksgiving and found the views and quiet atmosphere soothed and relaxed our minds. As luck has it we were able to secure the same campsite on the point again. This is a break away from our “Never visit the same park twice” rule. Well I must admit that is my rule. It was actually Andrews suggestion to visit here again. For me, visiting the same park the second time means you overwrite the feelings, emotions, and experiences from the first visit.  Andrew’s thinking is the reverse. He says it is exactly those feelings, emotions, and experiences that make you want to visit again. I guess we will have to differ on opinion on this one but as I usually pick all our destinations I will give it a go. As a compromise we have decided to include day trips to several parks within a three hour drive.

Andrew has spent the past several days preparing the camper. We have had several large cracks spring up on the roof but it seems that the product we purchased for the Colorado trip is doing an excellent job. I know we will probably have to think about upgrading the camper sometime next year but I sadden at the thought. It is strange, the camper really is not much. Definitely not new. Fairly good condition inside and yes it is big for a pop up and one of the best arranged inside that we have seen on the internet.  But it is more than that. We have had some wonderful experiences in the camper this past year and it represents the freedom we both feel when we get away, even for a short weekend.

Even with the camper ready to go we still struggled to get out on the road before 11 am. Our journey will take us about 5 hours northeast of here. Daisy State Park is a secluded park set about 1 hour drive from Hot Springs. It is not very big but sits on a fairly large lake. The campgrounds actually has 103 campsites, but the area we will be staying in only has about 20 sites that line both sides of a peninsula that juts into the lake. Site 50, which is our site, sits on the very tip of the peninsula. It provides a beautiful sunset viewing in the evenings and as it is the last site at the tip of the peninsula, Shyla has a large area to roam without worrying about neighbors.

The journey to the park is pretty uneventful other than the fact for a small portion of it we were driving on the wrong highway. Just as we were leaving Dallas we noticed the GPS was not operating. The software has corrupted somehow and so we are without this navigational tool. I don’t really rely on it for navigation but do find it handy for locating businesses. Andrew on the other hand likes it for the function of showing the speed limits, as those can change from mile to mile and an unexpected traffic ticket is not in the plans for this week. We were so busy trying to figure out what was wrong with it that we inadvertently found ourselves traveling in the right direction but on the wrong Hwy. After a few turns here and a country road or two there we found ourselves back on track heading east on Interstate 30 once again.

Arrived at the park about 4:30 pm. It is very quiet and in the area we are staying there is only two other campers. One of them was here last year in the same spot next to the restrooms. The park is much quieter this year than last. It wasn’t extremely busy last year but there was about 6 or so campers in our area. Looks as if we will have a very quiet stay. The nearest camper is quite a ways up and so we have the whole peninsula to ourselves!!!  An hour or so later we are completely set up with the shelter providing protection near our fire pit overlooking the beautiful lake.

view from our campsite

Today we are planning to head north to visit Jean Petite State Park. The fog has decided to visit us again this morning and so for the first hour Andrew has gone to capture that moment in that perfect shot.

The drive today about 3 hours even though it is only about 90 miles away. A good portion of the drive took us over the Ouachita Mountains. We stopped along the way and found ourselves facing a sign stating that bear hunting season was in session and that hiking with vivid vest would be advisable. I was not aware that this area even had bears. I know that some of the regions further north and higher in altitude are in habituated with bears but actually seeing one is very rare. We wondered if maybe the sign was a generic one as it also listed the other type of hunting and the seasons for each. All I know is that both of us, and probably Shyla too, started having flash backs about Colorado and bear invasions.

The drive was spectacular. The roads in Arkansas are extremely well maintained and we have yet found a road that was in need of repair. The road we traveled on today is designated as a scenic byway and it is easy to see why. We have timed our trip here perfectly this year with the change in color in the trees. Usually the leaves have changed and completly fallen by late November. But it has been unseasonably warm this year and they are just now turning. You only have about a week from start to finish so we are experiencing the full beauty this year. The road twists and winds its way up and down the mountains. These are no way as high in altitude as what we experienced this summer in Colorado but have their own majestic beauty.

It was close to 1pm by the time we finally arrived and was greeted with a fantastic view from an old stone lodge that was built in the 1930′s. The trees are a multitude of color at this time and the location forms a V shape leading out towards the horizon. We found a trail leading off and decided to take a stroll to see where it led. Shyla as always took the lead. The trail rewarded us with some excellent views of the ravine and finally ended at some mammoth rocks that would have been a boys dream to climb over. The rocks had a few small caves and crevices that had been formed from erosion of water at some time.

We found a little cave and I had Andrew sit on the edge so I could take some pics of him.  the pictures are probably some of the best I think.  He really is a natural with the camera.  Maybe we should get hm lined up to be a model!!!

After heading back we took a look at the campsites. They are several to choose from. The back section (the working mans area) provides amble camping of about 100 or so sites nestled in tall pines. The front section (the elite area) are much larger sites and had views of the small lake. They were very nice but honestly didn’t really feel like you were camping. The sites were very big (to accommodate the huge buses that occupied them) and had an additional tent pad but felt too manicured. It really felt more like a resort site or RV park than camping. The lake here was extremely low. In one large section the water was so low that all remained was the dark mud.

The park has lots of hiking. It boast approximately 20 miles in total. As we arrived here so late we unfortunately were not able to explore more of the trails. There is always next time.

November 22, 2010

We are up and about early today. We plan to travel northwest of here to do some hiking in a nature area called Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area. From there depending on time we will head further northeast to visit Queen Wilhelmina State Park. This park was supposed to have first been established with a house built for the young Dutch Queen Wilhelmina in hopes of her visiting. She never did and the original building went into decay only after a couple of years. Now it has a large lodge situated on top of a mountain that has a few campsites. The road leading to the park however is meant to be the highlight as it offers some majestic views.

The weather is drizzly today but not heavy and so with some sandwiches and chips packed along with our bright yellow rain covers we are off.

We arrive at our destination shortly after 11am. The trail is located along the Cossatot River. The trail was pretty steep in parts. We walked, or should I say meandered, our way along the path for about an hour or two….not quite sure if we really went very far in distance as we stopped frequently to take shots. Shyla usually only strays a few feet ahead of us as we walk and will actually do a lot of backtracking as we don’t move as quickly as her. The entire trail is 6 miles one direction but with Shyla with us we probably hiked about a mile or so in before heading back, at least that is the excuse we have for not going the full 12 mile return trip. Most of our pictures today were of the terrain. The water droplets settled on the leaves, branches, and even spider webs led to some interesting shots.

We ate lunch and then headed our way towards Queen Wilhelmina.

As we near the mountain we notice that the top is blanketed in a fog of mist. The closer we near the mountain the thicker it seems to become. As we turn onto hwy 272 and head up the steep incline the visibility is greatly reduced. One minute we see the road…..and the next we only see a white blanket of fog blowing over the hood of the truck. By the time we make it to the top we can barely see past the edge of the truck. In fact we almost missed the park entrance. It is really hard to explain just how thick and eerie it was. We actually were turning around to go back down when we noticed within the fog there seemed to be some sort of large object but we could not discern exactly what we were seeing. As we neared about 5 or 6 ft from it we realized that it was an old steam engine. Andrew took some fab shots of it and while he was doing that I took the shot of him and of the tree. Decided that venturing into the park was probably not going to yield us with much in the way of views and so we decided to give it a miss today and head back down.

hard to believe that this picture was take at 2 pm in the afternoon

Using a filter Andrew was able to cut through the fog to capture this picture but Shyla and I could not see Andrew as we stared out the windows.

Our route this time was down by way of the scenic byway called the Talimena Scenic Drive. In normal daytime I guess it would offer some spectacular view from the half dozen or so pull off along the way but today each one was blanketed with the thick fog. We pulled over at one of them though and Andrew took some shots of the abyss using a filter that help cut through the glare of the mist. The whole scene reminded me of a Stephen King novel “Four Past Midnight” in which these individuals find themselves trapped in this airport all alone with this fog that slowly is creeping in. The novel ends with the fog representing a cleaner of sorts as time moved from one hour to the next. Looking at the mountain side steeply falling away into the fog it almost appears as if you are at the end of the world. You want to reach out and touch it but at the same time stay way clear in case something decided to reach back out at you!

Drove into Mena and stopped at the local Walmart (I don’t think we have been on a trip yet where we haven’t passed a Walmart….I do believe they are going to take over the world.) Andrew gave me a bit of a scare. I just ran in to get some milk and was in and out in less than 5 minutes. Usually I can spot the truck hiding in one of the back rows but today as much as I wandered I couldn’t see him. Figured he must of run to get some gas and so I hung around the doors waiting….and waiting…..and waiting. As time passed though my mind as usual began wandering to other possibilities…..car accident….car jacking…..Now thinking back the images I had were actually pretty comical….like anyone would try to hijack the truck with our big heifer of dog poking her head out of the window! After an hour (or maybe even more) and 4 individuals concerned that I might need a ride home offered their assistance as a taxi service (if they only knew where home was) I ventured again to see if I could find him only to find him walking around looking for me too. Turns out he was there all the while. He thought I might have gotten side tracked (which I do occasionally) and so wasn’t too worried at first. Then finally decided enough was enough and by god he was coming to get me. It would seem he was parked in the row directly in front of the doors but in the very back of the parking lot. He could see the front doors clearly but somehow we both missed each other.

Back together again safely we headed back to the campsite for an early night in.