Mini Vacay

Getting out of town for 3 days for the 4th.

Sahara and Jared managed to get a 4 day weekend so we took advantage and headed north.

The Fayetteville area was our destination.

First stop, Yo Yum! frozen yogurt at the mall.

Canyon found a butterfly he liked.  The one with owl eyes.

Next was drinks and pizza at JJ's Grill with Sahara's friend Katie.

Then we headed to The Amp for fireworks. Great show!

The next morning we went to the Tanyard Creek Nature Trails.

The weather started out great but it got very hot and very humid quickly.

The rapids were pretty.

We found Sassafras.

And finally found the waterfall.

You could go behind the falls but you'd be soaked and we had another place to go next.

Crystal Bridges was up next after cooling down from the hike.

There was a display of work all painted on art palettes.  Then you create your own.

They have a few pieces of Chihuly blown glass left from the tour.

This painted circle is probably the only piece I'd actually have in my home. Love the colors.

This jacket is made completely of dog tags. It stands about 10 feet tall.

3 story spider in the atrium.

Sahara's shirt matched this hall design.  :)

Next, we were to go to Jared's brother's house to swim, but a big nasty storm beat us there.  We had lasagna, salad, and wine instead.  Also, got to snuggle Sky who is the cutest and softest thing.

The next morning we went to the Bentonville Farmers Market.  They sell all sorts of mushrooms!

Sahara bought a bowl of huge and delicious blackberries.

In the square where the market is, the original Walmart is too.

Old fashion sodas for sale.  We forgot to go back to pick a few flavors.

Sam Walton's office.

All the buttons that Walmart associates have worn.

Sam's truck that he sold out of before getting the first store.

Next to the 5 and 10 is the Walmart Cafe.  We had ice cream and malts.

Then a stop at the park so the littles could play.

Canyon snuggled Coco.

Kayce, Canyon, and Sky selfie.

The 4 of us split off again and went to the Old Spanish Treasure Cavern.

This stalagmite is 10 feet tall.

The 'bridge of hope' because they hope it wont fall down on anyone.

How dark it was for the original cavers.

The ceiling of the cave is covered with fossils of this creature, thought to be extinct but it has been rediscovered.

Medicine bottle over 100 years old that still contains all of the pills.

Then on to lunch at Hammontree's.  It was recommended to us, but we wont go back.  Jared got a hair in his sandwich so they made another.  They burned that one so they made another.  We got it to go and it was taken off the bill.

Finally, at the neighborhood pool at Jamie's.

Hudson and Nora getting some Uncle Jared time.

This is my first sun of the season!! I'm glowing!

Back to the hotel and Sahara and Jared went with Jamie and Kayce to Urban Forrest for knife throwing.  They said it was a lot of fun but too expensive for me.

Canyon and I stayed in the hotel with a heavy storm overhead and loss of wifi. Because we were car-less and food places were 2 blocks away, we just ate travel snacks for dinner.

Yummy!  :)  

The rest of the crew went out to eat.

Then.....

I got the call.  

Our Chloe Cat passed.  

Back home the next morning.