The Hills are Alive : Part 1

We got away for a few days to enjoy a little time in the Ozarks!

Once we got up that way, the first stop we made was at my Papa & Ninner's house - Ava got to spend the whole day with Ninner!

The second stop we made was here...

COURSEY'S!!

For a few of these...

the best. sandwiches. ever. made.



Let me clarify a few things before continuing this blog post:



1. I have never been on a 'Float Trip' or floated the Buffalo

2. Yes, I am 26 years old.

3. My Grandparents have lived only 20min. away from the Buffalo my whole life.

4. I have only traveled by boat or canoe while in water.

5. If you haven't seen me lately, I'm pretty proud of my porcelain skin tone.



That being said, I was a little nervous at first to go on my

VERY FIRST FLOAT TRIP!!



After we stopped at Coursey's, we headed to Gilbert to drop off D.Might's truck {Gilbert was our ending destination} & have my Papa take us to our starting point - Tyler Bend.



Me & Papa T.P. - he's the best!

See that porcelain skin?!?!

I was already getting hot & we hadn't even hit the water yet!


Here we are putting in at Tyler Bend!

Did I fail to mention we'd be in kayak's?!?!

Yes, my very first float trip was all on me!





Proud to not be tipping over!


We stopped after a little while & had lunch on one of the banks.

Did I mention how delicious those sandwiches were? Because they were the best.

While we were eating lunch & getting a little swimming in, we looked up on the bridge & saw Papa driving across - he went back to get him a sandwich, too - haha!!

It was so neat to see him - perfect timing!

I was waiving like a maniac & I gave him the wrong impression that something had gone awry in the water, so he pulled into the next 'beach' area & we got to see him again!

Everything was a.o.k. mind you - I was getting pretty good at that kayak...

Seriously good...

I have found myself a wonderful new hobby :)

I paddled myself 6 - count that - 6* miles from Tyler Bend to Gilbert!
*I originally thought it was only 4miles, but it was brought to my attention that I am - in fact - a rockstar & paddled 6miles!*

I was quite proud of my accomplishment!

Everyone we passed just went on & on about our kayak's & how fabulous they were - I had to tell them they were also quite easy to maneuver, too!

If Dusty & I had been in a canoe together - it would not have been such a wonderful trip, I can guarantee you that :)

We'd be like the couple that was behind us aways - the canoe tipping over, her wailing, losing her paddle, him hollerin' for her to get the paddle & then griping because they fell out...

So glad our trip was so enjoyable!

Gilbert, Arkansas

'The Coolest Town in Arkansas'

Is that not the coolest sign?!?!

It was the neatest little town & yes, it was much, much cooler there, too!

So, in conclusion - my very first float trip was a very big success!!

I absolutely loved it!

And for the record:

- I applied 50spf sunblock before we hit the water & 3 more times while floating; so I had the equivalent of 200spf on me; didn't even burn. Got a little tan, but that's okay. I am now a firm believer in sunscreen!

- That evening, my wrists were beyond sore & when I looked at my hands, my thumbs were quite swollen & red; it was sooo worth it.

- If you've never floated the Buffalo, I highly recommend it. The water is crystal clear, you can see to the bottom most places, & I didn't see a single snake!!