Last Day of Spring Break...

I had a few days off and have accomplished nothing.  I've helped join two long time friends for a spring break holiday.  I've toured them around the counties, taken them to one movie and out to eat twice. I've taken Andrew on a group date. I returned to work Wednesday sad because my time off was short.

My second grandson Jake joined the group and they journeyed with Papa to another movie and Chinese food.  They drank Mountain Dew until they were wired, played basketball, explored the farm, stayed up late and have generally been a busy group of gentlemen. Games of horse, basketball, and football have echoed through the valley at a volume only these young men could generate. The electronic games and the guitars screamed and the computer smoked with overuse.

Friday is officially their last day.  I was only with them two days, Papa the rest of the time but I believe these boys are taking home some memories.

John Carter, The Lorax, the different food we introduced them too, the tricks they've pulled, the Native American spear point Dalton found as they all explored the creek...all these will be tales they carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The house is a mess, we adults are exhausted, Zander took a roll down the stairs but all in all, it was a successful break from the scheduled life of structured education.

I hope they've learned the simplest joys are the best, that humor and honesty are good things, and I hope they know they are loved.

Today Jake returns home, Saturday Dalton returns,  and life returns to "normal". May the laughter, the adventures, the late nights and the companionship carry them through to our next break..and may the adults be recuperated enough for the next adventure.

The Wolf House

Dalton and Andrew have been friends since early elementary school.  Dalton's family moved to Siloam Springs which is about four hours away.  Andrew and Dalton try to get together during spring break and the summer. The half way meeting point is Harrison.

The Norfork Dam was closed Monday so our route was changed.  On our return trip we explored the Wolf House in Norfork, Arkansas.

The buildings were works of art, all hand-hewn timbers and quite fancy for the times.  The Dogtrot is a feature I would be tempted to include if I ever build another house.

Located at the junction of two rivers, the view was breathtaking. 

The back of Wolf House is as amazing as the front.

Dalton and Andrew

I imagine Jacob Wolf in the lower right window,

waving goodbye.

Driving Into The Storm...

Monday Andrew and I drove to meet his friend, Dalton.

We drove into the storm

 but didn't get a drop of rain here.

The weather was wild.

We ate lunch at The Front Porch

These innocent lads put hot sauce in my sweet tea,

while I was outta site.

They know I'm gonna get 'em back

they just don't know when...

and therein lies the fun.

Kubota Should Pay Me...

for advertising!

This tractor is used for everything hubby can think about.

Last evening, things were hauled to the bone yard.

Removing ugly pieces from sight of the house

was a great gift.

You know all those things that are broken

and left by the shop to fix but seldom seem to get fixed?

That is what the bone yard is for...to hide them.

Dalton, Andrew and Jake helped haul a truck,

a mickey mouse trailer,

a broken bush hog,

and who knows what else.

They are now out of sight

and can be found when repairs are really gonna happen.

Fun was had.

Note Bev in the back ground mowing.

Work was done.

Andrew, Jake, Dalton and the dogs had the best part of the evening.

They Called For Rain

but the rain did not come until much later.  The wind was strong and made driving more of a chore than a pleasure.

The return trip was bitter sweet.

Dalton will not be able to visit again until summer.  We stopped to overlook Cotter and see the train bridge.

We viewed Norfork Lake.

We met Dalton's parents halfway, to ease the driving for both of us.  We did not want Dalton to go but such is life, the good with the bad, and we move on to count the days 'til summer and Dalton can be with us again.

Driving For Dalton...

Spring Break, although shortened by the snow, still happened.  I drove to meet Dalton half way so he could spend a few days with Andrew.  Less than two hundred miles round trip, we crossed Norfork Lake and Dam with scenery along the way.

Andrew was in charge of the camera during the trip.  Be prepared, our trip through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old young man.