Arkansas Grand Canyon's Breathtaking Beauty!

I can't believe it's been almost a week since my last post! (Sorry Joy and I missed our Faithful Fridays posting)! I do have an excuse though! Last Wednesday night, we decided to go on a last minute trip out of town. It was to be just one of those "wing it" trips. As a matter of fact, I have never packed so quickly. We didn't make any definite plans, but just decided to go and sightsee and see what developed! It turned out to be a good two day trip! I really wished Colt could have gone with us, but as usual he was working! We went to one of the most beautiful (if not THE most beautiful spot) in Arkansas....Jasper. It is located in the heart of the Ozarks. It has some of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen! I could just sit and soak in that beauty forever! Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a log cabin perched on the side of one of these mountains and wake up to this view every morning....take your morning coffee (or Diet Dew in my case) out on the porch and just watch the sunrise (or sunset in the evenings).

This first picture of Jason and Joy was taken at a rest stop just a little ways before we got to Cowell, which is not too far from Jasper. These were all taken along the Scenic Byway 7. (Remember you can click on the pictures to make them larger).



We showed Joy around. We've stayed in Jasper a few times but none since she was born. We were even able to look at some land for sale (perfect places for that log cabin in my dreams)!

After a full day's sightseeing, we were lucky enough to find a room at The Lazy Apple Lodge (recommended by a man that has a second home in the area) at a VERY reasonable rate! We were very pleased when we walked into the room. Somehow it just fit! This was the lounge/living area equipped with a little kitchenette.



And look at the bed! I loved it!



And Joy even had her own little bed on the other side of the room! She was excited!



This was the sitting area right outside our room (room #1).



Here's the view from right outside the room (and this was the lower level too).



If you went up a level, you could lounge on the huge deck. It was also the only place we could get a cell phone signal!



Here's another look at the deck. You can tell here about the size and location of the deck. Jason was taking in the view!



And look at this view from the deck! Absolutely gorgeous....the most beautiful sunsets can be viewed right there!



Joy posed with the bear "chained" to one end of the lodge!



It doesn't look as big as it actually was because there were multi levels off the back. But doesn't it just fit the landscape?



Anyone that visits this area knows about the Cliff House Inn. Not only is it an Inn, but also a restaurant. I told Joy about this place before we got there. The back porch literally hangs over the Arkansas Grand Canyon!



As a matter of fact, I stepped outside the door onto the back porch and couldn't handle the openness of it (did I mention I'm very afraid of heights especially when a rail is only half way up or it feels too open)! But Joy definitely didn't have any problems and Jason accompanied her! We ate breakfast there the next morning! There were pictures on the walls of celebrities (and their autographs) that had visited there!

Here's the sign showing the deepest point of the Ozarks.....



And here's "The View":



And "More View":



And "Even More View"....a little ways down the road from there at a scenic view spot.



At Scenic Point, there is also a tower. Imagine climbing even higher.....NOT ME! But Jason and Joy did. Jason took this picture from top of the tower looking down at our car. You can see how much further up they went.



And Joy at the top of the tower posing (she definitely didn't get my fear of heights)...She was making me nervous watching her up there!



Right there was also a souvenier shop. I bought the first of a sequel of books called Teetering on the Brink by Gary Weibye. It's the story (and adventures) of Gary and his wife who left the big city to come live there in paradise right on the edge with The View. They are really living the dream! I'm really into this book right now (although I could really do without his choice of words sometimes)!



All of this was on Friday. From there we went on to Greers Ferry, Arkansas and looked around....and ate. (We did alot of eating on this trip)!

As were were leaving, we talked to friends (Brian and Tracy) that were supposed to be in the area to find out the best route home, and they invited us to come with them on their pontoon for a couple of hours before we left. So we did. I didn't take any pictures there because I left my camera in the car, but it was lots of fun. Brian let Joy drive the boat! We enjoyed fireworks from the boat later that evening....something I've never done before and they were so beautiful over the water! We actually stayed later than we intended and had to come home that same night and didn't get home until the wee hours of the morning!

Then the next day, it was a rush to prepare for our 4th celebration. Everything turned out wonderful with my mom and dad, Jason's dad, and my aunt and uncle coming over for BBQ. It was overcast all day, but didn't rain until that night. Joy was able to swim. Then when Colt came home from work (he works ALL THE TIME), he brought in fireworks and set them off with Joy.



Here they were shooting bottle rockets from a tube.



Needless to say, at the end of all this fun, we all slept well Saturday night! The next day, we had a great day at church Sunday with a sermon and songs fit for Independence Day! We then enjoyed a low key rest of the day....even an afternoon nap!

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And look what came for me in the mail Monday from Anne (Seasons of the Past)!



She sent me these goodies with the sweetest card saying these goodies would go well in my home! This was such a generous heartfelt gift! Thank you so much, Anne! Boy, will I have fun decorating with these prim goodies! I am amazed at the kindness that's been shown to me! I hope Anne is blessed ten times over for her act of kindness! Anne also has a wonderful website. You should check it out.....Humble Hearts and Homes.

I have even more prim goodies....but I'm going to have to tease you a little here and not show you........yet. It's my goodies that I ordered from Kindra (3 Guys, a Girl and a Prim Place)....(my Kindra Creations). Since they will go in my bathroom (actually I'm working on that now), I will wait until I show the bathroom. I'm sorry I'm slow about it, folks, but I want "what I want" in there and am slow in accumulating those things! Thanks for being patient with me! Hopefully soon....

I think that's it for today. I should have warned you it was ALOT of pictures! If you stayed with me on this long post this far with all the pictures, I thank you! Please be patient with me as I play catch up this week and get by to visit all the wonderful blogs! Thank you for all of the kind comments and to my faithful followers! You are the best! I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday! :)