Halloween at Crown

Had fun day at work. Several of us dressed in costume. It seemed like an all day party with some work mixed in. Tonight we had maybe 100 kids come by the house. We sat in lawn chairs (swatting mosquito's). Yeah, it's the south and we have the little critters most the year. Our newest neighbors, Natalie and Joey made us sugar cookies that looked like pumpkins, but were then off to see their niece in another neighborhood. Not the same old Halloween extravaganza we used to have. Here are a few lab pictures.

Ozark Trip

Well, we had an interesting weekend. Just to get away we went to Arkansas. We visited 3 different parks.
1. Daisy State Park- we WON'T be camping there. Although quite beautiful, (pines, clean, perfect weather) the camp is located on a steep ridge extending into the lake.. with the narrow road on top. You would have to carry down all your camping equiptment and then lug it all the way back up. Campsites were near the lake but, na-da. One look at the ramp where you launch your boat blew me away. The steepness of it scared me WITLESS! I was climbing the cab of the truck. Get me outta here! I wondered how many boats, trailers, and trucks were at the bottom of that lake.
2. Shady Lake State Park. Okay, nice campsites, bathhouses. Didn't see a whole lot, I was driving. Shady is right. The down side was there is a 3 mile drive from paved road and it's only one lane. It is graded so that if you meet someone coming the other way, your in real trouble, and yes is is in the Ozark mountians, steep sides. A little freaky for a flatlander.
3. Albert's Pike- Holy Moly, I've hit the motherload. It's magnificent! A little piece of Utah. Exposed rock cliffs and all. A moment of silence, please.... After a lovely ride through the canyon walls , outside of Langly, AR. I just had to soak it in. I had heard it was pretty, but I didn't expect this calm, peaceful feeling. I could have stayed there 2 weeks. That's the amount you are allowed to stay at a time. I wonder how many people they have to throw out.

We also visited "Crater of Diamonds" State Park. The only park you can pay a fee and go in and dig for diamond to your hearts content. They have a nice visitor's center and a water slide area for the kids. Inside, you can buy all kinds of rocks (again, I'm in heaven) or tee shirts or jewelry. They have movies that explain how to sift the dirt and equiptment to buy. We drove down the road a bit to a rock shop, looking for better prices, and a lady working there told us about her grandpa. He worked the mines 50 years ago for the family that owned the land. She had found a huge diamond of good quality years ago. They have recently graded the hillside and now the diamonds are suppose to be easier to fine. (Rather than a bunch of pock marks in the dirt.) maybe we'll go there if we ever have visitors who like camping.

But we are home, cleaning, washing clothes, and preparing for work in the morning. All good things must come to an end.

Off to Arkansas

We have never really explored Arkansas. We have no relatives there and Dallas has always been our entertainment mecca. So, we want something new. Arkansas has some beautiful byways and scenic mountians I hear. looks like in the morning we will head up to Mena, to see Queen Willamina mountian, then to Daisy State Park where they have clear lakes where you can see the stone bottoms. (we are scoping this out for future campsites) I don't like Louisiana lakes, they have mushy gooey bottoms that you can't see because of the yucky dark water and who knows what kind of creepy crawlers are down there. Here, if I need, I go to the gym to swim. From there, we plan to continue to Hot Springs. They have SPA'S. So, to two people that are much in need of a get-a-way, this sounds great. The leaves will be pretty , too.

Dad has changed me over to the new computer, and all my genealogy and pictures are on the old. (Slows it dawn too much) He says we can switch back and forth with the internet. If I get some hot shots this weekend, I'll have to make him prove it.

Fall is officially here

Well, The Red River Revel came and went. It did not make a lot of money this year, everone is holding off to see what happens with the economy. We planned to go, but the night we were going, Clyde had to work late. No big deal, I was tired, too. We opted for Olive Garden. ? Are all eating establishments out of their minds. The pile all this food on your plate and then have to pay for carry-out containers... WAIT! It's me that pays for it. I guess the mark-up is so huge, the more they pile up there, the more they make. It's enough to make you want to eat at home.
It is rainning outside, you know, one of those good old pouring Southern rains. A little lightening and thunder. I love listening to it fall from the roof. It's getting cooler each day and now the rain will wash away the pollen and ragweed. Everyone will feel great for a few weeks and then the virus' will start.
Just got home from a Stake YW/YM meeting. We are planning the "Missionary Training Conference", the youth are having in November. Sounds like some excellent speakers and activities. I have to find someone who can sing, and find that "Afterglow song about missionaries and I knew you before and I'll find you...... also I'm assigned to come up with some menu's for dinner that day. We have lots of money in our budget.....sounds like it will be tasty.