Monday, August 13, 2012

Nana Time

Those dreaded words that all kids hate to hear... Back to School is now being used everyday. It's on the tv, it's in the paper, even Gavin's parents have marked it on the calendar. We knew it was coming, so we've been trying to take advantage of the last few weeks of his "freedom!"

It's time, he's getting antsy with having to do too much of nothing. It's been a long, hot summer here... too hot to hike or even swim. UNHEARD OF!

So he jumped at the chance to do a little hiking with Nana last week, even if it was 107 degrees! We took a nice little trip down to Devil's Den State Park, only a few miles south of Granny Mountain.

He's not crazy about having his picture on the blog, but since he's not a regular reader and you will keep a secret, I'm going to do it anyway! 

Lee Creek is narrow and nearly dry after a summer of 100 degree days and little rainfall. 
Devil's Den State Park is part of the Boston Mountains, very rocky, mostly sandstone and limestone with deep valleys that have eroded from years of fast moving waters. There are many caves, ravines and crevices to explore. One of the favorites is the Devil's Icebox, named for the cool air that rushes out of the cave!  

A suspension bridge crosses over the creek and leads to a trail.

Steep and sloping down to what normally is fast moving water, this year there's just a trickle.

But everywhere you look up the path is beauty, Mother Nature has a way of surviving.

There were shades of green all over the forest floor! 










 
This Trail Marker Tree almost escaped me, bent to mark the direction to a creek, it is a step back to a history lesson for GRANDson Gavin. We are Cherokee, so it holds a sacred piece of my heart! 

Going back.... when it's cooler to hike some more!

19 comments:

  1. Joy, you are building up wonderful memories for your GRANDson and you. Seeing that was wonderful and also seeing that gorgeous Ozark Mountains scenery

    I think we are lucking to live in this area!

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    1. Thanks Glenda, we had fun even if it was like an oven out there! Amazing when we walked the trail how green the forest has able to remain, even with 100 degree days and no rain for months. Devils Den is really gorgeous, just like you are the only ones in the woods... oh, we were!

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  2. Great photos. Thanks for the visit and comment. I have an art blog too. The link is on the side of my blog but is also found http://http://carla-artistintraining.blogspot.com

    Again thanks for the visit. Will keep yours on my list too. Carla from Jill of All Trades

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    1. I loved your blog Jill! I'll check out your link in the sidebar. We have a new art museum here, Crystal Bridges that we love! Eureka Springs is closeby too, it's an artist's community with so much talent. Lucky to live amoungst! Come back for a visit soon...

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  3. I love Arkansas! Beautiful pictures. I must confess I ran through them quickly to find out if you actually saw and took that picture of the snake.

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    1. I did Nonnie! It was in the office at the state park, behind glass! It was very hot that day but too pretty not to take a short hike up one of the trails!

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  4. I can only imagine walking through these woods in triple digit temps. Good for you though because it was spending time with your grandson. The best of times always, aren't they? Summer days are ending....cooler temps are ahead..more good times at Granny Mtn.!

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    1. It was drippy... my clothing that is! I don't like to get that hot either, but you can't just set in ac all the summer! School starts a week from Monday so it's kind of sad for Gavin, we remember 12 don't we Betsy?

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  5. Aren't Grands such a blessing! Glad you were able to spend such a wonderful time w/ your grandson. It is hot in our mtns here in Virginia, too. But, we have had rain just in time each week.PTL!

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    1. They are GRAND! We only have one close now, what would I do if I had all three....

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  6. My sister in law LOVED camping at Devil's Den SP!! Perhaps we will too! Our camper is nearly ready for our journey to south Texas. After the quads get a little older we may just camp our meandering way home.....by way of Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas!

    The trail marker tree will be of special interest to Louis Dean. He is a card carrying Cherokee! As a school teacher - for 20 years he would take his family and grandchildren and spend summers in Arkansas. He says if he had not met and married me - he would be there now!

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    1. I came for a long visit this morning Linda and enjoyed catching up! The quads have grown so much and they are ADORABLE! I know you can't wait to be close and the camper has turned out to be Home Sweet Home... just perfect for the two of you! It will be Heaven to be close to the kids to help, I know your heart is with them always!

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  7. Im not too big on snakes! Richard

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    1. Knew that picture would get people's attention! It was behind glass, I was brave!

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  8. Wonderful that you two spent some time together!

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    1. He's so much fun, hard to face he's growing up :\

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  9. You must have had a wonderful day....it all looks so beautiful.

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    1. We did! Will be a lot of fun going on the trails this Fall. I sure hope we can get some rain, it's been so dry this summer and that is scary when you think of the danger a fire could cause.

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