August 2010 We wanted to surprise out Grandpa Bob on his birthday. We had it all set up in a week advance to go down. Only my dad new about it. Then about 4 days prior our Aunt passed away here in Iowa. We just delayed going down by a day. So, it ended up being a belated surprise birthday present. I called Joel's and my grandpa that morning wished him a happy birthday, and even let Joel sing to him. Like usual we told him we would see him soon. Then as usual he said wished you could visit. I told him that we were going to try to get down sometime. He said okay, and that he loved us. Grandma said after we talked to him he just teared up, and said "She will never get down here." I found out later that my dad told our Grandma what we were doing. I can't believe she kept a secret. So, after the funeral and lunch were done here in Iowa Aug.9th, 2010 Joel and I got on a bus and headed down to Arkansas. We basically were on for 12 hours. Good thing basically it was night traveling, because Joel slept. Joel thought it was cool riding on a bus. We had a couple of transfers but nothing too big to handle. I got help though because carrying luggage, car seat, pack back, and a child was hard. We got to Mena, Arkansas almost 6am. My dad met us at the bus station. I think he was just excited to have us visit him and our grandparents as we were. We got inside the house and grandma was so tickled to see us. Then Grandpa was trying to figure out who she was talking to so early in the morning. He came out of the bedroom, and found us there. He was so surprised. His eyes just lit up with joy. Then he asked how we got down there. After I told him he gave us a tounge lashing. But, he was so thrilled to see Joel and I that it did not matter anymore how we got down there.
It was awesome to take Joel somewhere I had visited once in a while when I was a child. We had such a good time with my dad, and our grandparents. Of course Grandpa had to show off Joel to all his neighbors. Joel stuck by his Grandpa's quite a bit those few days. Even followed Grandpa Bob into the bathroom to watch him shave. It was really hot in Arkansas during that time in the 100's but didn't stop Joel from playing outside there. The nice thing is Arkansas doesn't have that nasty humidity and heat index like Iowa does.
We did a lot of sight seeing around Mena, and in the mountains. Was it ever so beautiful there. We went one day on top of Iron Mountain. Joel got to see an old train up close (he loves trains). It doesn't run but he could get up on it. Some days they have a little train that runs around the mountain top but it was closed that day. We drove just into the Oklahoma border, and back into the Arkansas border. We saw so much beautiful country. Grandpa and Grandma took us to a really nice Chinese Resturaunt to eat at. Boy was it good too. My dad took us to see Disappering Mountain one day. One day we went to see Lake Willamena. It was so beautiful. While we were there we found us car for us to drive home in, because at the time we had no vehicle.
Finally, it came time to go home. It was hard to leave them, but we knew we had to get home. My dad drove in front of us unto Carthage, Missouri just to help me get through some of the tough areas of the big Cities like Ft. Smith and Joplin. When we got to Carthage. MO we went to the Precious Moments chapel. It was so nice to see. Very very beautiful. Joel was really good there as well. After going through there we said bye to my dad as he traveled back to Arkansas. I was really greatful that he did what he did. Joel and I drove just a little further up the road until I was too tired to drive anymore. We decided to stop for the night to get some rest before the next big half back home to Iowa by ourselves. It is scary in a way traveling by yourself with such a young child, but it was so worth it.
The next morning we got up, and got around. I wanted to take my time coming home but at the same time get home before it was too late. I hate night driving in areas I don't know by myself. We stopped in Harissonville, MO to see some really good friends for a few hours. Which was nice because I needed the break, and plus they hadn't seen Joel for a while. It was hard to leave them too, because they have been part of our lives for so long. We took a long way around Kansas, City to avoid all the traffic. It was nice to see other small towns and subburbs of Kansas City.
Our next stop was in Kearny, MO. We stopped and ate at a Sonic before taking a little detour to see The Jesse James Museum. It was not what I thought it would be. Really truthfully I thought it was a waste of money no bigger than it was, but at the same time it was good to know a little more history of Jesse James. Joel got a little onry towards the end but he was getting hot and tired. After there it was off to home sweet home. We stopped a couple times for pee breaks and gas but we made it home safe. Overall it was a good family vacation with Joel and I. Family times and making good memories is so much fun.
