"Crooked and Steep"

Another road sign setting the tone of the day. I saw this sign for the first time today and then many more. This part of Arkansas is very hilly. More like mounds then mountains. Reminds me of the hills in Guatemala. (different vegetation but close). At least the roads are paved and in good shape. I'm mostly traveling Highway 7 which is designated a Scenic Byway and I would agree. Some photos below.

Today's outing included a hike up a river basin in Lost Valley. This is the area that had a flash flood last year and wiped out a bunch of campers. Today there was no water. The river starts in a cave at the top which was nice after the hike up in the heat it felt like 50 degrees inside the cave.

After that more crooked and steep roads and ended up in Petit Jean State Park. The first state park in Arkansas. It's a wooded area up on top of some hills after going though some flat farmlands along the Arkansas river. A short bicycle ride to Rock House cave and checking out 2000 year old Indian pictographs. There is one of a barefoot runner holding his foot up. There are also rocks that look like turtles.

Thought of the day. Why are people who live in the hills more scary then the flat landers? Is this how they got the name "hillbilly"? Farmers aren't scary but people in trailers? I met some nice folks in an outdoor store. Which by the way had a well stocked supply of Five Fingers!

Miles travelled: 132.
Crooked turns: 3247

Five Fingers display at Buffalo Outdoor Center.

Turtle Rocks at Red House Cave

Dry falls in Lost Valley

Sign of the Day

View from the road.

Old Indian barefoot runner drawing picture of toes.

"On This Trail You May Experience:"

I started out the day with a 3 mile mountain bike trail ride at Table Rock State Park in Missouri. The title about was on a sign at the trail head. And if you check the photo below it comes with many warning. If you have to tell people all those things maybe they shouldn't be on the trail in the first place. They could have made a smaller sign and said, "On This Trail You May Experience: LIFE!"



I tried to video the trail and got a short clip but holding the iPhone with one hand and controlling the bike with the other is going to take some more practice.

The ride was fun and some good exercise. Checked out the state campground for future use and would like to go back and try the other trails

Made my way down to The Buffalo National River in Arkansas. Got my toes wet and finally tried out the new sit on top kayak I bought at REI before I left. It's been tied to the top of the RV. Its been really dry here they tell me so the river is down but I found a stretch with some water. The kayak did great and floats in about 5 inches of water. The water felt about 80 degrees.

All in all a good first full day back on the journey. Off to check out another park and some hiking trails tomorrow.

I also figured out if I take my cloths into the shower I can wash them out and even if they are still wet in the morning they make for good cooling. Rigged up an Winnebago clothsline.

Miles traveled: 95 in RV. 3 on bicycle. 1 afternoon floating on river.

Holding up the RV with ten toes.

Floating on the Buffalo National River.

Buffalo River.

Buffalo River

Branson, MO

Parked in a big KOA for the night after I drove around Branson. Seems like a make believe place. Maybe it was the large ape on the building? The place is spread out and some areas affected by the economy. Got a little bicycle ride in and found out about a trail area not to far away. Will check it out in the morning. The 102 is from the RV and parked at the camp ground. I set up my hanging chair in the nearby tree and eat my pizza that was made and delivered by the campground. Not so bad a way to end the day.

Red Ryder and Red Wine

The time has come to start the journey again. It's been four weeks since I left Seattle and three weeks in Missouri. Mike and Alicia are back in China to return in thirteen weeks (not that they are counting. Much.). I've got my stuff store and put away. The RV packed and ready as best I can. Never really know how much or what to bring or what to leave but eventually I'll run out of room. I'm looking forward to getting back on the road and exploring. Myself and the country. More to follow.

Here at Camp Engelwood two of the favorite activities of the campers are drinking red wine and shooting BB guns. So to be efficient we have combined both activities. As nice cab from Napa, a fully loaded Red Ryder and fresh cans hanging in the trees. Life is Good.

Heat in Missouri!

I kept saying that I wanted to find summer and get warm. At first driving through snow and hail storms I had doubts. Summer is here in Missouri. Below was the temperature today in the shade at 3pm. I'm not sure why I brought all my jackets with me. Not complaining or trying to rub it in for those in Seattle. Just reporting the details.

Missouri Rain Storm

It's been hot and sunny since I got here two weeks ago. 80's-90's every day. Some more humid then others. I was looking forward to being warm after the long Seattle winter but also wasn't sure how I would do after 22 years of Washington with probably 22 weeks of temperatures above 80. I'm glad to say I've adjusted so far. Working outside in the sun and heat was a good forced transition. I think I drank 3 gallons of iced tea.

But today was a different treat: a good ole thunderstorm. It was clear this morning and within 30 minutes the squall line rolled over and it was dark again. You could see, hear and feel it coming. Check out the satellite photo. Thunder, lightening and rain that you actually got wet in if you walked outside.

Miles traveled today:  Zero

Lake of the Ozarks

After 12 days in Missouri we finally made it to the lake! Sunday day of rest. Deck done no work. They have lake access and a dock but with 14 acres we drove down the access road. The lake was WARM. Windy and choppy like Lake Washington in the afternoon.