Be It Ever So Humble...

Well, you know the end of that sentence don't ya? I guess it's true too. Always glad to get home, and a trip always tires me out. I did all the driving anyway, that's usually the case, i'm the driver of the family, and I am the daughter of a truck driver, so I am used to it and it's in my blood. Just a hair dissappointed that I didn't get to do all I wanted to do, but the weekend was nice just the same. Too crowded downtown when I attempted to visit the spa, so I just drove back to the lake and Mr. J (the tinman) and I proceeded to enjoy our Saturday. When I arrived back, he was playing his acoustic guitar, and then we took off to Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Mr. J has a fear of heights so he didn't go up with me, but elected to remain in the car listening to his book on CD, Angels & Demons, which turned out to be pretty riveting. So off I go, not completely in love with heights myself, I purchase a token and take the elevator straight to the top with my digital camera in hand. The view was beautiful, although better in person, I did my best to bring you a few good shots. Once I came down, Mr. J was ready to go and eat, but I tormented him with a few more photos I wanted to capture of the foilage and mountainous surroundings before the daylight escaped me. Enjoy these, sorry the quality isn't that great, but this is all I have at the moment.

First thing in the morning, the view right off our deck at the lake, where the water was still hazy with morning mist
Scenes from Hot Springs Mountain Tower (way up in the mountain)
Tried to capture some fall colors
As you can see, people do not mind the "no grafitti" requests,

and continue to let everyone know that they were indeed "there"Ironic I knowFinally, we head down the road to Chuck's Southern Barbecue, which was just a small shack on the side of the road there near our weekend "villa". You know how it goes with 'holes in the wall', they're the best places to eat. Now, let me tell you something about Arkansas. The people are all hospitable, as is famous for the 'old south', and they're not afraid to fly their rebel flags. Mississippi has experienced some trouble and had the flag stifled somewhat due to racism, but history is just that... "History", and we should be allowed to show it off proudly for the shear fact that we survived it so that we may all be here together right now, co-existing as never before... but there are many that still want to make cases of flags... merely a symbol. Chuck, however, still sports his southern pride, and his barbecue proudly.

Chuck tells it like it isOnce we ate, it was back to the lake to ready our fishing poles. We were armed and dangerous with our frankfurters (hot dogs) and our rod & reel. It was dark now, so we were apt to try this night fishing approach. Went out our back door, and down the steps right to the edge of the water. Didn't catch a fish, but I made great friends with one anonymous, cunning little finned hot-dog lover. I would bait my hook, patiently waiting for a bite, and he never failed. Stole the meat off the hook every single time. I think I was made fool of-but I didn't mind, he needed the food more than I needed to catch the fish. Wrapped up the evening with one last dunk in the Jacuzzi tub, where Mr. J, who knows no excess poured an entire bottle of foam bath and a whole box of bath salts. The scene that followed I can only describe is just short of what happened on "I Love Lucy" when the washing machine had too much detergent. Hilarious! Leave it to Mr. J, as we settled in for a romantic soak, the bubbles were engulfing us like "The Blob", and as I tried to kiss his bubble-covered face, I couldn't help but laugh at him looking like frosty the snowman. We were worried that the bubbles might never die. Well then we cut it short because he couldn't sit in the heated water long enough, and retired to a nice movie. Went to bed, woke up this morning, packed our things and began the journey home. All was safe, all went well and I'd like to go back again sometime soon, after all I have to settle the score with that fish. He owes me a package of frankfurters! ha-ha...

Hope all is well with you guys.
Ahhh, Home Sweet Home... Aunt Jackie
Oh before I forget, the wall outside Chuck's Barbecue place sported this old sign...
I had to post it-This is for Jax and Four Dinners->