September 8, 2012
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| Waylon's Rambling Course |
THE GIFTS
Driving East on 412 toward Fayetteville is a very pleasing and easy drive. Crossing over the Illinois River and stretching through the Ozarks seems like old school to me.
It is a tradition now to attend the Farmer's Market when going to Fayetteville, and to eat breakfast and sip a Bloody Mary at the incredible "Common Ground," eatery.
Saturday morning eating outside, wrapped in Fall, with a lifelong friend catching up on life, was just perfect. (M. King) The 1st of many GIFTS of the day. Two single women, chosing to live a life of being single and making our experience matter is VERY rewarding. Sharing it makes it even better.
We headed off to a Corp of Engineer park called Prairie Creek. We pulled up to the toll booth and an elderly couple checked us in. That was the 2nd wonderful GIFT of the day. They have been married for 60 years and living the PARK experience for over 30 years. They giggled at what each other had to say and it was quite evident that their life together was a GIFT they given to themselves. Being in a toll booth for 4 days a week with one another YOU WOULD HAVE TO LIKE EACH OTHER. Love in any form makes me HAPPY.
Mikey and I found a nice spot for me to back into that was shaded and facing the woods. After getting settled in MK and I had one of my childhood friends come for dinner and adult beverages. It was certainly my 3rd GIFT of the day. (B. Parker) Sharing with a friend in which our mothers were best friends was time well spent and so very special.
After my city slicker friends left, Waylon and I enjoyed our solitude and set out to be adventurous with our surroundings.
Beaver Lake
Deer
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| Early Evening Walk |
Sunset
Quiet Cove
Lots and lots of stars
On Saturday afternoon my neighbor on the South of me apologized for her cat coming into my campsite. She was in the process of training her 8 month old cat to be able to travel and enjoy the countryside while traveling in her camper. THEN THERE WAS THE BORDER COLLIE that thought he needed to let the cat know who needed to be up in the tree, and for him to have something to LUST after. Waylon's gift!
My neighbor and I had not visited more than seconds until the following day after all of her company had left. Again the cat was the topic of discussion until she said, "You look like someone I know, What is your first name?" I replied with, "Cynthia," and she came back with telling me my last name. I knew immediately who she was after she told me her name. It had been at least 40 years since
we had seen one another. We lived only 5 blocks from one another while growing up and NOW all we needed was time to catch up. AMAZING 4 GIFT!
That evening sharing of a bonfire connected us to exploring the following day future campsites, picnicing , and exploring the waterfront of Beaver Lake, a memorable time well spend. Horseshoe Bend will be the next site for either one of us while in the Fayetteville/Rodgers Arkansas area.
J. Tollison and I hopefully will continue to meet out from time to time to share the solitude of the outdoors, and make some great memories by a campground not too far from home.
My 5th GIFT was visiting with a new friend, J. Miller. He was kind enough to be the MASTER OF THE FIRE and opened up about his struggles of life. It is a GIFT to have people feel relaxed enough in your company to open up and SHARE.
What would you do if you knew you only had about 5 years to live on this PLANET?
LIFE IS A GIFT, AND THE PEOPLE THAT PASS THROUGH YOUR LIFE ARE THE WRAPPING.
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| Hot Spot in the Early 1900s |
