Daisypath Anniversary Years Tickera

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Spur of the Moment Trip

Our plans for Easter changed because Josh went to see Mark and Avery got sick. So instead of a big Easter Dinner at home, we headed out towards Arkansas. We had never been to Hot Springs before and a friend of mine told us about a beautiful waterfall I would have loved to see, so off we went. We made it to Little Rock through horrible storms. The winding road was not visible through the hard rains. I was so nervous but we made it and stayed there the first night. Up the next morning we went on to Hot Springs. Yes it was still raining but we had fun anyway. When we got there we got our umbrella out and walked around town. It was raining good and we were getting wet so we walked down to a Hotel we saw down the street. I didnt think we could afford it but since it was there and a dry place we went in to check on a room. We saw that we could actually afford a small room so we booked it. The very nice gentleman who took care of us upgraded us to a larger more expensive room. Thanks to him! However, the room would not be ready for hours. So we decided to go with our trusty umbrella and check out the Hot Springs. So we did just that. We ended up needing another umbrella though. Todd didn't seem to think he could fit under mine with me so we got him one of his own. We had fun going down paths and up steps and seeing the steam floating up from the Hot Springs in the cold air. But after a while our feet were completely wet, and our jeans were completely soaked so we decided to go back to the Hotel and just stay there in the dry lobby which was beautiful and rest there until our room was ready. As we walked in we let the nice gentleman know that was our plan and that we would be checking with him from time to time to see if our room was ready. He did a little computing and then let us know that he upgraded us AGAIN to a much more expensive room, (well he didnt exactly say that but that is how it turned out) and that it was ready. So up we went to our dry room. This was more than a room. It was definitley a suite. We went in our room and walked into the hall, which led to the bedroom with a beautiful bed which we needed steps to get up to. Then we walked into the living room with a large window and a large couch and several chairs. It was just great. Nothing like we have ever stayed in before. THANKS ARLINGTON! We decided later we were hungry and turns out they had an Easter Brunch downstairs so that is where we ended up. It was beautiful with wonderful piano music playing as we ate. There was more food there than we have ever seen. The ice sculptures here and there were amazing. The food was great and I tried things I have never tried before, like an oyster on the half shell, which I did not enjoy, but hey at least I tried it. Mark told me I ate it wrong, LOL. I also tried this delicious treat. Bananas Foster. Now that was great and fun to watch him prepare. We stayed there far too long grazing and left much too full but it was a great experience and we enjoyed it. The next day we planned to do one of two things. Either go horseback riding which would have been great, or drive on up to Petit Jean to that waterfall. Turns out the rain and clouds and cold really didnt fit in with either of those options so we prayed that my mom was feeling better from her recent bout of Bronchitis and headed on up to Memphis to visit her. Before we left though we decided to take advantage of the fact that we were at a Spa and get a couples massage! Wow it was so relaxing we didnt want to leave. We headed out though without even calling mom to let her know our plans. As a matter of fact she thought we had a house full of company for Easter. She wasnt aware of all the cancellations so we just went up and knocked on her door. I should have had my camera out for her look of surprise. I am surprised I didnt think of that. LOL Anyway we got to visit with her which was great. We met my sister and her husband for dinner that night. It was so good to get together with them and visit. We did a little shopping too. Then we left and since Avery was feeling better we went by to see them and to keep her for them while they worked on Thursday. She was precious walking all around. She played and was really good. She did not enjoy her breathing treatment though, poor sweetie. We enjoyed seeing them and spending a little time with them as well. So all in all our trip was a success! I did want to mention that anytime, and there were 3 I think, that we have made a trip to moms without our children something happens that is unfortunate. The first time, Casey was hit in the face about 6 months before her wedding. Zach our nephew swung a wiffle bat against the basketball goal and it split in two and flew out and hit Casey in the face cutting her lip requiring a hospital trip. The next time Mark called saying he was fine but while working putting up gutters on a house he had been electrocuted! The fire went in his hands and shot out his feet and threw him to the ground. He had burns which left scars but thanks be to God he survived and was fine. He went to the hospital and was checked and it certainly spoiled my trip and because I couldnt handle staying away, we came back home so I could see for myself that he was fine. Now again this trip, we got the call, this time from Josh to say everyone was fine but that a friend of his had broken the glass on our front door out and cut his hand badly. They took him to the hospital and he was having it stitched up. Ok This track record to moms is not great is it? This spur of the moment trip was different, unplanned, and except for Adams hand, turned out great. Hope your week was great too.

9 comments:

Avery's Mommy said...

so glad y'all had a great trip and it worked out where you could babysit avery. i know she loved it. :)

M J said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip! That area of the country is so beautiful. We used to go up to Lake Ouachita to scuba dive, and I always loved it. I remember there being some really great restaurants in Hot Springs.

Mallory said...

sounds like a great trip! we stayed in the arlington when we got married in hot springs. our suite wasn't as nice ya'lls though, but it had amazing views from the top! and we ate dinner in the restaurant down stairs.

i was REALLY wanting to take daniel's motorcycle up to hot springs again and go riding this weekend, but the weather caused me to rethink it :)

Calley said...

I love Hot Springs! So glad ya'll got that awesome suite! How cool! That's nuts about something always happening when ya'll are away! Now that it's happened to each kid, maybe you are done with all that and can get away anytime with no probs. ;) hehe

Penny said...

Did you get to go up in the lookout tower at Hot Springs? I loved the view from there! And they have a Thomas Kinkaid gallery there-- of course, it wasn't open when we went for the wedding. :( That's the last time we went and that was almost 3 years ago. Maybe next time. Sorry y'all didn't get to Petit Jean. This time of year and the fall are my favorite times to go. The foliage is beautiful then. We went once a couple of days after Christmas, just for a night (when Debbie lived only 40 min. from there) and it was pretty, but everything was iced over and I'm glad we had not booked the cabin for more than one night. We only saw the falls from the rim. Then the electricity went out on the whole mountain! We had to drive about 30 min. to Russelville just for supper. It didn't come back on that night at all SO our only source of heat (and light) was the fireplace. LOL That was one to remember!

Cristi said...

No we didnt go up there because it was so gray and cloudy and rainy. I knew there would be nothing to see. Next time.

Holly said...

Looks like a fun trip! :)

Jami Ainsworth said...

Glad you got such a nice suite! We stayed at the Arlington a few years ago for a family vactation/Southern Cotton Ginner's summer meeting. We had our whole family in one room: Cam on floor, Brit and Cari in one full bed, me and Randy in one, and Natalie in baby bed that they provided. Our room was not so great...very orginal/antique whatever you want to call it. My family complained a lot about it....we were expecting it to be like the Peabody in Memphis. Needless to say it was a nice trip and also our first trip to Hot Springs. In fact, Natalie's One-Year Portrait was photographed in the garden/park area across the street from the Arlington...it was just days before her b'day.

Melody said...

What a blessing that trip must have been! I've only been to Arkansas once (I live in CA) but I've been to Hot Springs & Petit Jean. :) Funny! I am so glad you guys had such a great trip!!