Road Trip...Arkansas, Illinois and Kentucky

 Have you ever been in a cavern underground? I have been through several and they always amaze and fascinate me! The mineral deposits form such beautiful sculptures underground.

 These are shots from Mystic Caverns in Western Arkansas.

We learned that during prohibition days there was a still that operated from within the cave and there used to be giant drunken parties down there!! Wow, the things they did for fun!!!

 Our road trip continued on to Illinois where we visited Garden of the Gods.

It's located in the Shawnee National Forest,  and has some of the best rock formations I've ever seen!!

 There are paths to walk all around the park. The area that is open to the public isn't very large and only takes about 30 minutes or so to explore, but it is very cool!

 (My cute hubby)

 The leaves in this part of the country were just beginning to change.

I took a moment and posed for a portrait with my babies.

 As we drove through the small towns in Kentucky, we saw several roadside stands with mums and pumpkins. I was blown away by the size of the mums and the price was CRAZY!!! (Well, for what I'm used to anyway.) The mums were HUGE and only $6.00 each. They would be $25.00 where I live in Phoenix.

The pumpkins were fabulous. I saw several varieties that I have always loved and wished we could get locally. I love the grey/green ones, the super pale peach colored ones and of course... white!!!

On our way to Cumberland Falls Kentucky, located in the Danial Boone Nation Forest we saw a turn off for Natural Arch Recreation Area. We decided to visit it and it turned out to be one of the prettiest places yet.

 We made the hike down to see the arch close up.

The arch was amazing to see from this angle.

 But my favorite part was enjoying the forest on our way there.

 

 Growing up in a hot and dry climate has caused me to develop a love for all things green and mossy.

I just can't keep my hands off of it!!!

 The Fall leaves here in Kentucky are coming along nicely!

 Cumberland Falls was just a short car ride away. This was taken at the top of the falls.

 There was a beautiful path that took us around to several lookout points.

 This was taken at the bottom the falls.

Look  at the size of that rock!!! So far on this trip,  Kentucky had been my favorite State to visit. The greener a state is the more I like it!!!  Tomorrow we head through West Virginia will continue on to Pennsylvania. I'm not sure when I will have internet connection again as hubby's parents don't have one so have a wonderful weekend and I hope to be back soon!

Road trip...Oklahoma

The first real leg of our vacation started at Tenkiller Lake in Oklahoma. I had no idea how green parts of Oklahoma were! The lake was beautiful.

 Our campsite could not have been more perfect. Because we were there in the middle of the week, there were no other campers in site.

 The tranquility was wonderful and all the sounds of the forest were amplified.

 Squirrels were chasing each other in the trees... (No, you are not blind. The squirrels jumped out of the shot before I could get it!)

 Those squirrels definitely had Rocky's attention!!!

 As the sun went down the temperatures hovered at a wonderful 70 degrees or so.

Dinner was my favorite camping dish. I've been eating or making this  since I was a little girl on every camping trip. I call it Girl Scout Stew. My mom learned the recipe many years ago during summer camp. The ingredients sound weird, but trust me... It is DELICIOUS! 

You will need:

1 lb. ground beef

1 pkg. of onion soup mix

2 cans of Italian style stewed tomatoes

1 can of corn

shredded cheddar cheese (the more the better, I say)

Fritos corn chips

Brown the ground beef and the onion soup mix. Add the stewed tomatoes (with juice) and the corn(without juice).  Cook for 15 minutes or so and then add the cheese. Serve over Fritos.

You will love it!!!

 

Sun down brought a lovely glow to the lake.

 I loved how this photo turned out!!!

The fire was warm and lovely. I love camping!!

This morning we woke up and hit the road toward Arkansas. On the way we stopped at a lovely state park and took the dogs out for a little leg stretch. The weather was beautiful and so was the scenery. I can't think of a nicer way to spend the day than playing with my dogs, hanging out with my hubby and being surrounded by all this lovely green!!

 

By far, the pettiest pace we've been so far on this trip has to be Natural Falls State Park. 

 I could spend hours here just soaking it all up. The sounds of the water is so soothing.

There was a wonderful little grotto where the water falls  from holes in the cliff. It's cool and full of moss and ferns and wet forest-y goodness.

 There were pretty wildflowers...

...and my first real glimpse of all the Fall color to come!!! 

Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends. May your day be filled with smiles, beauty and the love of good friends!