Listen to your BARK!

Well, I am sorry that I didn’t post yesterday. I was deep in the heart of Arkansas and service just wasn’t enough to get online. But WOWSER what a day we had!

While traveling around I wasn’t really looking for particular “destinations”…but when Hot Springs OHRV park showed up on my Harvest Hosts page we were ALL IN. I went back and forth with Melissa on the phone about me wanting to rent a side by side to take Freedom for his first buggy ride, she gave me all the assurances that I needed to know if he didn’t like it we’d work something out. It was a first for them, and they were more than willing to give it a go.

There was no need to work anything out!!! Freedom Loved his buggy ride!

We checked into our spot and got the camper all set up before arriving to the offices for check in. I have to day, Melissa and the ladies in the office make this smooth and easy (MUCH easier than renting in NH). We walked outside to meet our guide “Knox”. I’m not sure what he thought when he saw me loading Freedom into the buggy…but we kept up with Knox just fine.

The trails here are all OVER the place…Had I not had a guide, I would have gotten lost for sure. Kinda like life? We were fortunate to have Knox blazing the way in front of us…some of the rocks we climbed were pretty steep and aggressive, but I had comfort in driving inline with where Knox steered his buggy.

Knox and I had good conversation at a few peaks where we took in the views while Freedom took advantage of the mountain top throne. Turns out Knox used to manage restaurants and found his out after many years…now, he rides buggies all day, I’m pretty jealous Knox.

As I said, I was fortunate to have Knox ahead of me showing me the way, much like many of the friends and co-workers who helped blaze different kinds of trails for me to follow confidently in. You all are my hero’s in life, you have shown me how to be a better Father, Husband and Professional. If it were not for your guidance and example…life most certainly would have been more difficult and probably less rewarding.

Without a map, the trails of life can be hard to navigate…look around you and you will find the tire tracks of those you trust and love…I’d bet those are pretty safe trails to take 🙂

Of course, blazing your own path is something we all get the itch to do…Just make sure you have a good buggy and a tank full of gas before you head out (maybe a compass too lol).

We settled in for a little nappy nap, after all we were on the road for about 4 hours before we even got to the park and readied for our 2 hour ride. I was going to try to get a little video, but these trails are not built for one handed steering. Freedom laid down and was OUT for the count!

I had some young kids next to me eager to get their jeep on the following morning…they were up pretty late, but I took some joy in knowing that I was gonna be frying bacon and making all sorts of noise MUCH earlier then they were gonna get up lol.

The weather here was cold…looks like they had a bit of an ice storm which made all the trees glisten like tinsel.

Well, we headed out after a quick stop at the nice store where I had to get at least a t-shirt to support the business and provide a lasting memory…nice job on the store Melissa, I like my flag t-shirt:) (remarkably similar to you know who lol).

Hot Springs Arkansas…the child hood home of “Bent Arrow Slick Willie”…aside from the sign stating so, I doubt many people here give two shits lol. While I did see the man in his boxers once while I worked at the White House…I cannot confirm the Bent Arrow, you’ll just have to buy Monica’s book..

We had just a few hours to drive today and have settled in for the weekend at the T.O. Fuller State Park in Memphis. We got camp set up and unhooked so we could go refill or propane and grab a new plug end for our electric heater (thanks Freedom for chewing off the other…I didn’t like it either). Tomorrow maybe Beale Street? Graceland? Who knows…but this duo is gonna get out and roam around for a change and see the sites.

Until then, trust in those around you…it’s ok to follow until you have everything you need to blaze a different trail!