How did your 4th go?

Mine started off as a disappointment at Beaver Lake. I tried the Bench Rock Nature Trail at Indian Creek Park, and I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe an actual, real maintained trail like at the Nature Center in Springfield. The first bad sign was when I told the guy at the day use gate that I wanted to walk the trail. He's like: "sure, that will be $4". I paid and drove all over looking for the trail. I got back to the gate and the guy was laughing. "I knew you would be back. The trail starts up there before the gate!" What a rip-off!

The trail was not maintained at all and was nothing more than a deer trail on top of some bluff with a 75-foot drop just inches away. I'm afraid of heights but thank God I made it! I got tailed by two wolves, completely eaten up by seed ticks and chiggers, but did find an Indian axe head! I almost ruined my shoes jumping in Beaver Lake trying to get relief from the chiggers!

The rest of the day was wonderful. They had food, games, live bands, and fireworks going at Memorial Park in Bentonville. The fireworks were spectacular!

Brad

Sounds like the rest of the time was fun though!

My 4th pretty much sucked! I was home alone most of the day, THEN my mom called and wanted to know if I was alive! So, I went over there and hung out for a little while.

BUT I had my fill of fireworks cause I had those parties at my house....I'm partied out!!! And fireworksed (hmmm, is that a word??? I don't think so)out!! HEE HEE

Anyways, such is life!!!

The next thing I get to go to is a ballgame in Springfield with our church group!! WOOHOO!!!!

Sounds like Brad had some excitement there! What did those two wolves look like? I've never seen a wolfe around here before. And I can't believe that guy charged you....RRRRrrrr....they must be pretty mean up there at Beaver Lake. Good thing there are other lakes around, eh? I think you should find a buddy from work and go check out Devil's Den. It's really easy to find. Just head down interstate 540 toward fort smith, and follow the signs, you'll find it. And when you get there, take the Yellow Rock trail...that one should lead you up to a fabulous bluff site, where you can see throuout the valley for miles, etc. :)I like to sit or lay up there on the rocks on the ledge...it's so exhillarating! You might also see lots of wild animals if you're in an area where there's not a lot of people. One word of advice, though...don't go walking on these trails ALONE. Get a buddy from work to go with you. OH...and if you go to Devil's Den, there are so pretty awesome caves around there, but be careful. It's not easy to get in and out of the Icebox...and once you're in, it quickly narrows off so you have to be nice and skinny to get through it okay. I couldn't make it, and once (this is embarrassing) I had to be pulled out by another guy at the top, and one behind me! I had slid down a slimy covered old, dead tree to get down there, and there was no gettin' back up it!! Devil's Den is by far one of the BEST places to go hiking or camping around and probably much nicer than the one you went on, though I've never been on that one, personally.

And poor Precious, sorry you had a rotten 4th, and glad you're all "fireworksed" out now! Girl, you oughtta call me soon. I left some voicemails for you, but I know you're really busy, so it's okay.

Let's see...

My grandparents, younger brother and I all went up to my brother and sister in law's house in Rogers for an outdoor cookout and firworks. There were children EVERYWHERE!!! :D lol But it was fun. IT ended up RAINING, and we were on the back porch...well, guess what...it LEAKED!! :D So we ended up letting all the kids play in the mud puddles, shoot eachother with water guns, etc. My older brother kept lighting and shooting off these really LOUD fireworks that scared one of the kids really badly, but by the time we shot off ALL of them at the end of the evening, he had got pretty used to the noise. It was a long evening centered around all 8 kids, 7 of who are under the age of 5....but it was a good one. I can't IMAGINE having that many children EVER in my lifetime!!!! :D I think 3 is my personal limit at the moment!! lol It's a wonder that my bro and sis in law and her parents can stay sane!

Well, I gotta go. I'm going hiking with some friends...some of them are friends of friends...and they're from COLORADO!

See ya!

Keema