Ben's Arkansas Adventure: Camping with Mimi and Papa

When Anne Kathryn was born, I stayed in NOLA with Micah for two weeks helping her with household chores while she had time to get back on her feet and establish a routine.  When Collin came back to get me, we brought Ben back to Arkansas with us.  We had some big adventures planned for the next two weeks.

As we began the drive home, we had a great time.  We had a portable DVD player

and stopped frequently so Ben wouldn’t get so tired riding.

By lunchtime we needed gas and had our lunch at “Crackle” Barrel as Ben says and while we waited for our lunch, we had a great game of checkers.

At our final rest stop we had a fabulous time trying out 3 of 4 water hydrants.  We missed one because we would have had to disturb a family of picnickers.

After arriving home, we had pizza, Ben’s favorite, and made two quick visits to our great grandmothers’ houses.  Afterwards, we took him to spend the first week with Nana and G.  They had lots of fun doing different things and he got to play a lot of golf with G.

On Sunday, we picked him up from church so we could begin our week of fun—a trip to Bull Shoals White River State Park in the Mountain Home area.  He loves camping with us in the 5th wheel RV. We were going to enjoy a fun-filled week.  Here’s a recap of our adventure.

Sunday
We had lunch with Grandmother

and did some packing so we’d be ready to head out on Monday. Uncle B came in late Sunday night and the nerf war was on.  They got guns for Christmas so they could play at Mimi's house.

Monday
We finished loading and headed to Bull Shoals about 10:20.  We took a rest stop of sorts in the ranch and farm store at Ashflat for Papa to look for something.  In the meantime, Ben found little cars, trucks, tractors, and farm implements with which to play.  The greatest find was this saddle.  All he needs now is a pony.

On our way again, we paused to get a Happy Meal from McDonalds to ease our hunger until we arrived at the campground.  Once there, we checked in and set up in our spot.

We soon went to check out the river and found a great swing in the shade so we could watch awhile.  A lot of folks were out fishing and we saw a number of boats.  Fish were even jumping up out of the water and would make big flops.

After a bit, Papa grilled hamburgers and we got in the truck for a cool late evening ride and to look for deer.  In the meantime, we found a playground first and had a great time.

We continued our drive and found numbers of deer in different areas in the park and out on the highway that took us to the base of the Bull Shoals Dam.

We finished off our day with everybody taking a much needed shower and watching a movie, Planes, on the big screen in the camper.  I think somebody was worn out.  He hardly moved a bit in his bed.

Tuesday
We began our day enjoying the cool breeze and the scenery of the river.  Papa and Mimi drank coffee while Ben enjoyed blueberry muffins.  Before long we were joined by squirrels and a red-headed woodpecker that ate peanuts we threw out to them.  They were certainly used to friendly campers and were not afraid.  They would come up very close for treats.

Shortly, Ben and Papa were ready to go fishing for trout.

Later we took a break to cool off with board games.

As dinnertime approached, we drove to Gassville and ate at Nima’s Pizza.  Ben likes nothing better than perpperoni pizza and Nima’s has won international contests.  She is good.

After coming back, it had cooled a bit and we rode bicycles.

Wednesday
We rode bicycles a lot today.  When we needed to cool off, we came inside to color pictures of dinosaurs.

In the afternoon, we went to the visitor’s center where we drove over the Bull Shoals Dam and could see the lake on one side and the White River on the other.  There were a number of things to see inside the center including different varieties of trout as well as a black bear that wasn’t very black. The black bear, we learned, has many variety of colors—blonde, brown, white, blue-grey, and cinnamon.

Thursday
Today’s adventure included more bike riding, enjoying the river view while sitting on the swing, and a trip to Dollar General.  Ben was also very helpful with chores when Papa had to check on some things outside while Mimi did some laundry.

Friday
What a fun week, but it was time to come home.  We made one last morning trip down to the river, sitting in the swing for a while watching the water roll by and observing the fishermen wading and those in boats trying to catch the “big one”.

We took time for one last bicycle ride and then it was time to pack up and head home.  Once we were settled in the truck and headed back to Jonesboro, Ben fell asleep and napped for nearly two hours. He had a good time and was worn out.

Saturday
The fun wasn’t over yet.  Bright and early, Ben went with Papa to the “tractor” store.  He got to see all the Kubotas setting on the lot and Papa made his purchases.  We had three lawns to mow when they got home.  Ben started out on the John Deere riding with Mimi and then shifted over to the Kubota to ride with Papa. In the late afternoon, we headed out to the Riceland picnic where there were lots of games to play,

prizes to choose from, and grilled burgers and hot dogs to eat.

Ben hauled home the lute and had a great time.

Sunday
We went to church and had one last lunch with Grandmother.  We finished packing him up and Nana came to get him.  Tomorrow, Nana and G would take him home to New Orleans.  He had missed his Momma, Daddy, and Anne Kathryn.  I know they had missed him, too.

We had a wonderful time with Ben and hope that he is old enough that he will always remember his first solo camping trip with us.  Maybe it will become an annual event. It was so special to spend a week and watch him have so much fun and experience nature.  Perhaps one day, Anne Kathryn will be old enough to come along and we can enjoy both of them.  I know Ben’s mom and Uncle B have great memories of camping trips with their cousin, Nathaniel, and grandparents.

Obviously, camping isn’t for everyone, but we love it.  We relax and refresh enjoying a less hectic pace and to take in nature.  It’s our way of. . .

Living Simply,

Marcia