A Much Needed Vacation....

I have been dreaming of returning to Arkansas for many years now. The last time I was there I was about 10 years old and in the 5th grade. Well, after much planning and financial figuring, I was able to go back to Cave City, Arkansas this past week. It was a vacation that I have needed for a very long time. I thought I would share my experiences and photographs from the trip.

Mutt's house is located in Cave City, Arkansas; which is a small city in the northern part of the state (population is a little over 1,000 people). The house is secluded in its own little woods area. There is wildlife that is often sighted, every morning I would watch birds, squirrels, and rabbits while eating breakfast. It truly is a peaceful oasis to relax at.

Mutt has beautiful gardens surrounding her house

Mutt's front yard

The side of the house

The porch

The backyard

Another part of the beautiful gardens

Day 1

I arrived in Arkansas on May 9, 2012. I left Salt Lake City fairly early and I had a layover in Atlanta, GA. When I finally arrived in Little Rock, AR I was greeted by Mutt and Don at the airport. From there we toured Little Rock a little before heading to her house. We went downtown to a little area called River Market. Here we ate the best catfish I have ever had, at a restaurant called the "Flying Fish". Inside the restaurant the walls are lined with those singing fish plaques. It was a small place, but the food was delicious.

Day 2

Today, we began our exploring of Arkansas. While driving to Mammoth Spring, Don thought it would be fun to take me to a state I have never been. So, we took a small detour and headed across state line into Missouri. We weren't there very long, but it is cool to add another state to my list. After our small detour, we headed to Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. Mammoth Spring is Arkansas's largest spring and the second largest spring in the Ozark Mountains. A National Natural Landmark, the spring flows nine million gallons of water hourly. Forming a scenic 10-acre lake, it then flows south as the Spring River, a popular Ozark trout and float stream.

Where the spring starts

Following Mammoth Spring, we went to a tiny town called Hardy, Arkansas. This town is exactly what one would think of when you think of a country town. The street was lined with small shops, people were sitting on benches outside the shops, and whenever you walked pass them they would say hello/howdy.

Day 3
On Friday we (Don, Mutt, Connie, and I) woke up early and headed to Memphis, TN. I think today was my favorite day of my entire trip. We started out by visiting Graceland; we went on the tour of Elvis' house, airplanes, cars, and some of his awards/fame. It was very interesting, I only wished they played more of his music throughout the tour.

Connie and Mutt at the beginning of the tour

The graves of Elvis, his parents, his grandmother, and his brother

Outside Elvis' house

Outside Elvis's Car Museum

After Graceland, we headed to Beale Street. This is such a neat little area of Memphis. There are shops, restaurants, bars, etc.... People walk up and down the street; there are street performers, and lots of music. When we first got there we went to get something to eat. We ended up eating at BB King's BBQ, then we roamed Beale Street and did a little shopping.

Before going back to Arkansas, Don drove into Mississippi to add another state to my list!

Day 4

Today, we woke up and drove to Norfolk, Arkansas. This trip was a bit somber for me, we were able to go and visit the graves of my great-grandpa and grandma Helm, my great-uncle Dick, and my great-great-grandma Helm. I have never met any of these people, but feel as if I have a strange connection to them. I am constantly trying to learn something new about them and their way of life. It was nice to hear stories from Mutt and Connie--it made me feel closer to them. I yearn for the day I can meet them!

My Great-Great-Grandma, Susie Hightower Helm

My Great-Grandpa, Robert Floyd Helm and my Great-Grandma, Myrl Estes Johnson Helm

My Great-Uncle, Richard "Dick" Helm (died at the age of 9)

We also went to a festival in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. It was a nice place to walk around--it was like a county fair.

Day 5

Today, was Mother's Day so we decided to spend it at Mutt's house and take it easy. It was a very relaxing day, Doug and Connie came over and we had a BBQ. Mutt made a ton of food, Don grilled some hamburgers, and we ended the evening playing dominos.

Connie, Mutt, Doug

Day 6--Last Day>

My flight was so late in the evening that we were able to explore Little Rock, Arkansas some more before I left. We went to the Clinton Library, walked along River Market some more, to a museum called Heifer, and then to lunch at Doe's. It was a nice way to end the trip. I really enjoyed the Clinton Library; it had interesting facts, neat displays, and an incredible view of an old bridge--plus it was cool, because Don helped build the library.

President Clinton's limo--Don got to drive the limo into the building

Can't leave the airport without displaying my true Razorback spirit

I had an incredible time in Arkansas and cannot wait to go back there!

I am sorry it has been such a long time since I have posted. Things have been busy around here. Back in March dad was admitted back into the hospital. This time it was not related to the same issues he has been having for several years. This time around he got sick with a simple cold, which flared up his asthma. After being unable to breathe for several weeks; dad finally went to the E.R. where his oxygen levels were low--so they admitted him. He was in there for about a week. He has since seen a pulmonary specialist and is trying to get control on his asthma.

About two weeks after dad was released, mom had surgery on her shoulder. Back in February she fell down the stairs at work and dislocated her shoulder. In the process she tore her ligaments--so surgery was needed to repair everything. She is doing well and possibly gets to go back to work after her follow up appointment on the 9th.

School is over for this semester. I was able to finish my first block of the program with two "A's" and two "A-" which is a great way to start the program in my eyes. I am taking the summer semester off and will return in the fall. I only have two semesters left (fall and spring). It is all coming to a close way too fast.

I have also taken one of my Praxis, my English one. I am hoping to pass it on the first try. I will know around the end of May. In July I will take my Health Praxis.

I feel like there is so much to catch up on, so sorry for the rambling. I have also been working on some projects. I made my first rag quilt for my cousin's baby that will be here in July. It didn't turn out the greatest--it is a little off on being square and it is smaller than I planned. I made a mistake while sewing which caused the problem; however, it is still really cute and will work for a car seat cover or to lay on the floor during tummy time.

Sewing the fronts and backs together, then quilting the tops

All sewn together, just need to clip the seams and wash it.

Final product--Amberly liked it, which is all that matters

This year was the 19th anniversary (March) of my grandpa Burton's death. It reminded me of the project I completed last year for my dad. When my grandpa passed, my dad received the flag that was laid on the casket. Years later when my grandma Burton passed, we found a photograph of my grandpa and a friend in their uniforms. Since my dad just had the flag sitting in his closet collecting dust, I wanted to do something special for it. I searched online on how to contact the military to get my grandpa's records. After several letters I was given a list of medals my grandpa earned during WWII. What shocked me even more was they sent me replicas of the medals. There were two that they were out of stock, but I was told where I could purchase the medals. I was able to get all of the awards, the photo of my grandpa, and the flag from his funeral into a nice frame for my dad.

The medals are as follows (left to right):

* American Campaign Award: awarded to service members performing either one year of consecutive duty between December 7, 1941 to March 2, 1946 within the continental borders of the United States

* Army Good Conduct Medal: awarded to any enlisted member of the United States Army who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service.” Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses.

* WWII Victory Medal: awarded to any member of the United States military who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946.

* Honorably Discharge Patch: Was known as the Ruptured Duck. The orignal Ruptured Duck was a cloth insignia depicting an eagle inside a wreath. It was worn on uniforms above the right breast pocket by WWII servicemen and women. It was issued to service personnel who were about to leave the military with an Honorable Discharge. It also allowed them to continue to wear their uniform for up to thirty days after they were discharged since there was a clothing shortage at that time. This showed the MP's that they were in transit and not AWOL. Well, the boys thought the eagle looked more like a duck; and, because it meant they were going home, the popular saying was, "They took off like a Ruptured Duck".

It sits in our living room on display and I know it is something mg family often looks at. Over the years I have learned about my grandpa--I unfortunately was only 6 when he passed so my memories are minimal. However, I love listening to my dad tell stories. What is funny is my grandpa was stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada. There was a mistake and he was sent to Vegas on accident. Once he was there he stayed there. I don’t know if it was a blessing in disguise that he was not in the line of fire during the war or what, but I am honored to have a grandfather who was willing to serve his country.

Anyways, this is a longer post than anticipated. I will be going back to Arkansas for a week and will post my adventures that take place.

Also, I am trying to figure out the new blogging format; therefore I don't know why it is not allowing paragraph separation. Sorry for no breaks to make it easier to read.