Mountain View, Arkansas:Beware...Long!

First of all, can I say what a mighty God we serve?! I have been having a not so good time lately. Ok, let's call it what it is. I had a bit of a breakdown a little over two weeks ago. Some of it is health related, some just issues in life. Eric gave me permission to take a week off and try to figure out what we were going to do. This is where some pretty awesome friends stepped in. Sometimes you just need your friends to step in and "do" and I had some remarkable friends do that last week. I was in charge of a fairly big field trip that took place last Monday and Tuesday. I have been working on it since late July. It has been a bit stressful. It was not really any one's fault, just some miscommunication. My friend, Laura H., who witnessed some of the breakdown decided I needed to get out of town. She threw out several suggestions and one just seemed impossible. It was a 3 day homeschool camp in Mountain View, Arkansas. Here are some of the issues that went along with this: Eric would need at least a week off, we needed a place to stay on very short notice, we were not sure that the camp would take late enrollment, and the biggest of all for me: the big field trip would be on the first two days we would be gone. If you have known me for any amount of time you know this, I am a control freak. Leaving this field trip in someone else's hand was just not in the equation for me. But Eric and I sat down and talked and decided that we needed to do this for our family. So this is where my other 2 "do-er" friends come in. I called 2 wonderful women, Laura C. and Connie H., and asked them to head up the field trip. Without any questions, comments or complaints, they replied with an enthusiastic, "Yes!" I do not know if they will ever truly know the burden that they took off my shoulders. So one problem was solved. We called the RV camp that was recommended by Laura and they had an opening for all the days we wanted. We couldn't believe it. This park can have up to a 2 year waiting period and we got in on 4 days notice. Only God, people! The weather forecast for Longview was great so Eric felt comfortable taking off and just having emergency calls handled. And our awesome neighbor Debbie,another do-er, stepped right up and said she would handle the animals out our home while Sissy spent some one on one time with Pop at his house. So all problems solved!

Day 1- We left on Sunday after 1st service. The drive took about 6 hours. This was our first long trip with our RV and it went pretty well. I am sure we looked quite funny while trying to get into the Wendy's parking lot in Hope, Arkansas for lunch! After setting up we ate a delicious Mexican lasagna we had made at home. **Bragging moment on my son. Andrew's only school project during our off week was to prepare the menu for one week, along with the shopping. He stayed well within budget and didn't forget a thing!** We walked around the grounds that evening and enjoyed the weather.

Day 2-The first day of camp! We arrived at 8:30 only to find out it really started at 9. Oops! It was hysterical because Laura H. was inside with her boys but couldn't let us in! Guess you had to be there...We got the kids settled then went and sat with the Hill's in the restaurant while Steve ate breakfast for about an hour. So relaxing! After that, we went and vegged in the RV (did a lot of that!) then met the kids for lunch. After Eric and I ate a quick lunch of leftovers in the RV, we headed to the quaint little downtown. Oh, and a detour at Walmart for a few items. Can I just say this Wal-Mart was relaxing?! And some of you know my history with Wal-Mart! I enjoyed it! After getting the kids from camp, (which was only a 3 minute walk) we played games at our camp. We noticed a man doing some wood work across from us. (another note: every one in the park was well over 50! And they also were musical since we were in the bluegrass capital! They would form little bands all over the park. We loved it!) We walked over to see what he was doing and ended up getting involved in a 2 hour discussion. He demonstrated his work to us, even making us something for free. He showed us all his different types of wood. It's amazing to see what God has made! We bought several of his items for Christmas presents so no pictures! We ate a late dinner of shiny surprises (Thanks Stacey N.!) and went to bed.

Day 3-Day 2 of camp and we enjoyed the extra 30 minutes of sleep. Laura and Steve came to hang out at our RV for a bit then we all headed to the Folk Village to look around. Oh wow!! It was so not what I was expecting yet so what I needed. You must look it up to even know what I am talking about. It's a little village set in the Pioneer times with shops where people can demonstrate the crafts for you and you can buy them. We had a great time! We met the kids at 3:00 to work on our families living history which was part of camp. While working, we started talking to one of the women there. She mentioned that her nephew lived in Longview. Come to find out, his family is one of our best friends. Again, only God! We enjoyed talking to her and filling her in on his life because they haven't seen each other in a while. After finishing that up, we ran the kids through for a quick peek at the Village. Back to the RV for a dinner of burros from the crock pot.

Day 4-The last day of camp! The Hill's had to head out around noon because Steve needed to fly out for a funeral. We bid them goodbye after taking the kids to camp then Eric and I headed "home" to do "housework." Here is the difference in an RV park and camping: first of all, you have full sewer hook up. LOVE IT! Second of all, we had a laundry mat. We did some laundry, cleaned up the RV, started dinner, made some cookies and watched back to back episodes of "Dog, the Bounty Hunter." Another difference from camping, we had cable!! That is true vacation for us. ;-) After that we headed to Blanchard Springs to see the Springs. We enjoyed the ride with our windows down, letting the wind in while we drove up the mountain. The springs were beautiful! We took a few short hikes and then headed back because the kids had a program. They did great during their program of course and we loved seeing what they did all day. Andrew ended up making a close friend that he plans on keeping in touch with. His friend lives in Mt. View and both of his parents are potters in the Village. He also plays the mandolin in a band there. After that, back to the RV for a dinner of chili and some TV watching.

Day 5-we slept a bit later! Yay! We went to the Folk Village the entire day. The kids loved it! We learned so many great things. Abi made a doll, discovered she wanted to play the violin, and Andrew wants to do it all of course. We were exhausted that evening and just found whatever to eat while watching whatever.

Day 6-we packed up the camper and went to eat at the Village restaurant. It was sooo good. Abi asked if we could drive there every Christmas morning, as opposed to IHOP. ;-) We finished loading up and headed home. We stopped at a Cracker Barrel and enjoyed a good Southern meal then pulled back into Longview.

I cannot even put into words what a great time we had. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have Chelsea there. (we made sure to talk almost every day) We loved it so much we even looked for land and scoped out the air conditioning competition. And the locals encouraged and helped us with this! Everyone was soo nice. They were very relaxed and just content. Their lifestyle was simple and wow, I learned a lot from them. I cannot tell you how many times I asked someone how long they have lived there, why did they move there and why did they stay. It was so interesting to hear their stories. God really worked on my heart this week. I only pray I will apply it. Keep praying for me. This is not always an easy battle. Thank you my "do-er" friends! I love you all!

If you made it this far, here is your reward: Pictures!

All the camp kids

Playing on the stilts during free time


Hanging out in the RV

Our View from the RV park

Eric trying the stilts

Watching and learning from the potter, Mr. John Perry

Hanging out at the kid program

Mrs. Mary, the camp instructor, with the kids

The kids program. They sang a bluegrass song about Arkansas that none of us can get out of our heads now!

Learning to throw a top. We never knew there was so much science to throwing a top. We spent more than an hour with this wonderful man who taught us so much science. He was incredibly patient with us and answered all of our questions.


Playing with the instruments at the instrument shop. Andrew wants to go back during their school week and make a guitar out of a gourd.


Hanging out at the old school house. They had so many interesting facts on the walls about schooling during those days. You should have seen the rules for the teachers and students. We actually brought a set home for our school room as a reminder.

Abi met this wonderful woman Tuesday and they made a date to make corn husk dolls. She was a gifted teacher and Abi had a lot of fun. She brought some back to make on her own.

The band on Thursday. Andrew's friends has black hair and in the middle. The young lady is also 11 and she is the head of the band! Can you believe that? These kids have all of the songs memorized and are amazing. We loved watching them.

Riding on the donkey powered carousel. They wanted to ride this over and over. It was actually from the 1800's. The man in charge taught us a lot about donkey's and now we all want one.


Doing household chores...from the 1800's! And loving it...

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Family Pics


Blanchard Springs..shh!!! Don't tell the kids!