Frying Goldfish

Yep, that's me!  The girl in a dress (oh, the horror! Where are my overalls?) with Mr. and Mrs. German.  I'm guessing we've been fishing.

Dad worked road construction. Sometimes we traveled with him.  We would rent a house or a cabin and stay until Dad's job was done. We always came home to the farm but summers were extra special.

I was very lucky.  Our neighbors raised goldfish in long metal aerated tanks. Part of my "job" when I came to visit was picking out the floating goldfish. I was allowed to feed them to Mrs.German's cat.  During all this fun I decided it just wasn't right to feed the cat RAW goldfish. I presented my idea to Mrs. German. She was happy to comply.  She gave me a big jar lid and a fork and allowed me to stir and cook to my heart's content on their heating stove in their living room!  Of course the fish never got hot.  I tip toed to reach the top of the stove then I would politely and properly serve the cat his "cooked" meal.  The cat seems to enjoy the special service.

Mrs. German just smiled. Mr. German seemed to enjoy pulling my braid.    I was in trouble many times for slipping away to visit the neighbors without asking permission first. Mother taught me that lesson well.

We Walked...

through history.  We crawled in dirt.  We laughed, explored and came home again.

This trip was just me and my nephew, Toni.  No one has a bad time with Toni.  From Iraq to Alaska and an experienced traveler to most states Toni makes traveling an adventure. We always try something new, in meals and in places we see because life should be an adventure.

This is a replica of the old shaft shack.  It went down sixty feet deep here.  I don't believe the mining operations was extremely successful or they would still be operating.  I would say by the number of people there they have no trouble maintaining this as a state park.

Toni in the distance

They had a few "shade islands" no digging allowed here.  This island featured a Osage Orange tree.

We both got down and dirty.  I packed hand tools and empty jars to hold all our diamonds.  They left full but not with diamonds.  We had MREs, Vienna Sausage and Oreo cookies with drinks packed so we were prepared and made a day of it.

We examined the old mining equipment.

Nine diamonds were found while we were there.  It was not our day for diamonds.  When the rains come, we may return.  It's just four and a half hours away.  Toni is young and as long as he's driving I will welcome the adventure.

Through The Dirty Windshield...

at seventy-five plus miles per hour is an excellent way to take photos.  I have a lot of pictures but will spare you from most.  I contorted and stretched to acquire some of these as we flew past. Andrew helped take photos too.  I'll see more reviewing photos than I did driving through. I am grateful for the opportunity to ride the Hubby-driven Southwest Express Truck.

Arkansas Highway

Arkansas River

And the journey began.

Things I learned or remembered:

Hubby does not travel well.

We have an equal level of temper and bullheadedness.

We are both equally right...or wrong.

The degree of tiredness relates directly to unkind words and wrong turns.

In the end we do come home together.

In the end the unkind words and discomfort are forgotten.

In the end we erroneously think, Hey, that wasn't so bad!  Next year we'll...

Summary of Sanity

or is that insanity?  Toni, my nephew, Bev's oldest son has been isolated in Alaska for two years.  We have all missed him.  Jake was worried he may be twelve before Toni ever came home again.

Toni always gives each of us that special attention, the respect that makes us all feel special.  He is the most like Dad.

We had planned on an auction but were not impressed so we ate out and took what the day dealt us.  We had rain but that did not stop our exploring.

We found a public access point on South Fork of Spring River and kayaking and fly fishing both came to mind.  Toni is a dyed-in-the-wool fisherman and takes his fishing seriously.  This place caught our attention.

Toni has farmed a little.

He has escorted Marcy on Ranger rides and to appointments and to family dinners with nephews and nieces.

I don't know what day we did our thing but the week has been a whirl wind of basketball games, appointments, and home cooking.  

We are all glad Toni is home again.  I'm fairly certain Mom and Dad are smiling.

It's The Journey...

I was driving, Andrew photographed.

Andrew photographed me

asking directions.

Need help, find a fireman.

The great Mississippi River

Leaving Arkansas,

Arrival in Mississippi, looking back.

We made it!

Preparing to see Mr BB King.