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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

RIP Baby Belle 2015

I find myself writing about another one of our fur babies that has cross over the rainbow bridge.
Belle was way too young for this horrible disease called "pemphigus" to take her so early.


Our first visit to the vet was to see if she had an allergy issue.
We had just lost our Roxi, and I really wondered if she was having issues because of this. 
After trying to isolate the food, and her continued decrease in health, the vet suggested we get a core sample and send it off for evaluation. 
The results were not what we wanted to hear.
She was diagnosed with pemphigus, which is basically an auto immune disease very similar to humans.  
She was put on high doses of steroids to try to restart her immune system.
This wasn't working and she continued to lose her hair and muscle tone.
I would laugh and say we have a Mexican hairless!
I can't tell you how many baths this poor girl got in the following months. 
Since the steroids weren't working they added another medication.
I can truly say Belle was a very strong and determined dog, just like her breed is known for.

Sadly she continued to get worse and worse, and we took her to the vet the morning of Sept 24th and Dr. Roach said he felt it was time to let her go.

Belle was known for her typical Heeler style.
She would  nip at people's heels when they would let their guard down.
She was quite cautious of who she would let into her world, not that she didn't like you, but she wanted to make sure she was keeping me safe.

Belle was her moms Velcro dog, and followed me everywhere.
She really was "my" dog.
If you know anything about this breed, this is a trait that is again typical Blue Heeler.  
Belle came into our hearts as a little fighter at the ripe age of 5 weeks, covered in fleas and ticks.
My husband had heard about a guy that wanted to get rid of the pups and arranged to get her for me as I had always wanted a Blue!

She can never be replaced in my heart and I am so thankful to have had her as my side kick.
She leaves behind her newly acquired sister "Bronco" and her mom and dad.
We will miss her spunky little attitude.

Belle at a young age playing with her sisters.  Sadly they have all crossed the Rainbow Bridge.




Sunday, September 27, 2015

Bikes Blues & BBQ 2015 homeward bound

Time for this group to go back to the real world and make our way back to our homes.
We had plans on leaving fairly early, but the fog is so thick, we hang around for a while for it to lift.
The ride home was just that....point the bikes to the west and head home.












I wish I could speak about some fun something we did or saw, but really it was just a nice typical ride home.
Sundays are always that way it seems.
You can even see it on the faces of the people in the cars that pass or you pass.
Everyone has an agenda and it usually has something to do with getting home so we can all get home and get ready for the work week.
I am glad to be able to say that everyone made it home without any incident.










Only thing I thought was really kind of funny was when we stopped at the midway on the turnpike, notice the sign and where we had the bikes parked.
Guess we can't read!!!!!
Rebels, just rebels  :)








Seems like we all had a great time, and can't wait until our next trip together.
The next trip we have planned is the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, TX.
We will be heading south the first week of November.
Thanks to all who participated in the Bikes, Blues and BBQ 2015 trip.





Saturday, September 26, 2015

Bikes Blues & BBQ Saturday

This morning we are going to do a little riding.

Lynn and I are adorning our new braids we got.
It was a picture moment with Doreen...although hers is real and not sticking on a helmet!  (Picture in tomorrows post)

We have decided to go to Eureka Springs and plans are to eat at our crazy and wonderful
Grandma's Beans & Cornbread.

Diana and I had been there a few weeks ago, and got this really cute purse with a skull on it, and Lynn had talked about wanting one.
That is is the only excuse we need to make it a destination.



We ride to War Eagle Mill first.
This was the first time for Bonnie & Curtis.
Always fun to have someone along for the ride that hasn't ridden the wonderful roads that
curve all around the hills in Arkansas.

War Eagle is such a nice place to visit.
As we pull into the area, there were quite a few bikes, but by the time we left, it really had swelled with people.
Glad we made it there early and got out before the bikes were really trapped!


On to Eureka Springs, and straight to the Beans & Cornbread....as usual the desert was really the best part of  the whole meal.
Blackberry cobbler al a mode...can't get much better than that.

The little leather store is next door, and after we finish lunch, we girls make our way over there.
Lynn finds a purse, and purchases it.
The guys move the bikes on up the hill towards the Harley shop and we do a little more retail therapy.
Since I had been here only a couple of weeks earlier, I didn't find anything I couldn't live without....
I know that is hard to believe, but it is the truth!!!!!



We make our way back towards Bentonville, and Doug pulls up by us and says he and Twana are going back to the hotel and watch a little football.

Chuck had wanted to see the football game as well, as Oklahoma State was playing Texas.
Doug was for OSU and Chuck was for Texas, so we got a good seat in the hotel and took over the TV.

The other part of our group had gone back down to see the Bike show and see the parade.
I really did enjoy just chilling this afternoon in a nice cool building.






Around 5 everyone united once again at the hotel and we got the pizzas ordered.
Bonnie & Curtis ended up coming back over and eating dinner with us as well.
Curtis was the life of the party, and had all of us laughing so hard the whole evening.
He even got another group to join in and it was just a laugh a minute.

I always say this, but we never lack for laughter with this group.
We do have a good time.







Friday, September 25, 2015

BIkes Blues and BBQ 2015 continues

This day was spent visiting the vendors at the Rally.
Seems like the vendors are a little more sparse this year.
The area at Baum Stadium was hustling with a lot of bikes, but there were a lot of spots open for more vendors.
Seems the luster of the rally may have diminished a bit.










We have lunch and then we make our way to the downtown area to see what is going on.
The parking at the church was great, and we got nice shady spots.
The weather is pretty warm for the end of September....and not a cloud in the sky.

We check out all the vendors and make our way to an area to get something to drink.
The area is nice and shady, and we sit for  probably a couple of hours just people watching and sipping on drinks.
Didn't hurt that we had a large fan directed right at our table, which really made the area nice and relaxing.

Lynn gets the urge to buy some Leather Legs, and comes back to the group with the prettiest set with a whole lot of  bling on them.



We decide to head back towards the bikes, but Lynn and I pop into a booth and buy a couple of braided pony tails to attach to our helmets.

Lynn gets a blue one and I get a bleached blonde...can't wait to put them on the helmets.







We had gotten a flyer from someone at the rally with an interesting place to eat.
We are always game for something new, and a place like "Juicy Tails" sounds interesting.

Keith is leading us to the location, and as usual does such a good job getting us all there.
Juicy Tails has a mixed menu of crab boils, catfish, and other fish....and some very messy food!










Doug and Curtis decide to go the messy route.
Asked later if Doug would do it again, he replies, NO!  Too messy!

Our food was good, and by the time we walk out to get on the bikes, we are again in darkness.







Standing around talking and saying our goodbyes to Curtis and Bonnie, Doreen shouts that she has left her phone up at the restaurant.
It has only been a few minutes, and as she makes a mad dash back upstairs to see if the phone is still there, I call it.
First time I get no answer, and then the second call, I get a lady on the phone asking if we are looking for a phone.
Yes we are, and Doreen is on her way up there to get it.
Wow, that was a scare, but all is well!
She said she was in the restroom and placed it on a ledge, and then proceeded to walk out without it.
Thank goodness for honest people!!!!

Back at the room we make ourselves at home around a table that is very reminiscent of last year.
I think Allen could tell the story about last year, but wait, he might not remember it!!!!
I know for a fact he has gotten teased about quite a bit.
We all sat and chatted and enjoyed winding down after a fun filled day.
Time to say goodnight once again.



Thursday, September 24, 2015

Bikes Blues & BBQ 2015

It's that time to head to Arkansas for Bikes Blues & BBQ.
We meet Lynn and Keith and Doug and Twana at 10 am and make our way east

Our day started off pretty rough as we had to put our Blue Heeler Belle down this morning. 
I am actually happy we are leaving town so I don't spend the whole weekend crying.

So nice to see that Doug and Twana were able to make the trip.
We get on the road by around 10:30 and make our way towards Arkansas.







We stop in Tulsa and eat at a very good Mexican restaurant (Las Cabos) we had tried a few weeks ago. 
The food and quantity was just like our last visit. 















Back on the rode we stop for gas outside of Tulsa. 
Chuck ask everyone if they want to go the turnpike or the scenic ride. 

Scenic it was. 
Highway 412 was nice and curvy and yes, it's a slower route but we are just out for the ride. ;)











We will be meeting up with Doreen and Allen at the hotel.
She has text me and asked our ETA.
We should be there around 4pm.

Our hotel of choice is by the Northwest Regional Airport. 
We have stayed at this location for 4 yrs now.
It's off the beaten path and away from all the noise of the rally.
As we pull up to the hotel we see a lot of bikes. 
Looks like others have found our little spot. 
The hotel has roped an area off for bike parking. 
Seems like they planned for us this year. 





We are all settled in our rooms so Keith leads us through the back way to get to Pig Trails Harley.
As we leave from visiting the vendors we stopped for a group shot in front of Little Flock sign.
Yes the jokes were rampant. 
I don't know if I could live in Little Flock without laughing every time I told someone where I was from.  LOL










Lynn had seen a restaurant called Smoking Joe's BBQ earlier so Keith was once again in charge of  leading us there.
The food was really great but have to say the fellowship of these people we ride with was even better. 
Missing a couple that wasn't able to make it
Hopefully Diana and Chris can make next years trip. 
By the time we exit the restaurant I was surprised to see that it was dark!
Just another sign that summer is over.
My the ride back to the hotel was cool but not too bad for October.










We had to make one detour and stop at a liquor store I had spotted.
The name was so catchy and we just had to go and check it out. 
I think the picture tells it all.
I just love that you can't tell who the picture is actually of...;)















And yes, as usual we are like kids in a candy shop
Fully stocked we make our way to the hotel and sit and have a drink and discuss just about any and everything. 
Nice day and now it is time to say goodnight. 





















Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Big Bertha and Big Berth's Sister Explore Eureka Springs, AR (9-7-15)


The bikes are packed and we have gotten everything put away.
Now is it time to head back home.
We are on the rode a little before 9am, and all is well in the world, or at least our world.

Diana and I have the walkie talkies, and as we start through Springdale, AR, Diana says she needs to make a potty break.

This was a perfect time to do this, as we had seen a gas station that had a large sign saying they sold DEF, and there was a McDonald's next door.

Breakfast at McDonald's was quick and easy, and tasted quite good.

After we eat, Chuck and Chris drive over to the filling area and fill Big Bertha with DEF.
This is all very new to me, as I had no idea the new diesels have to have an additive added.
Learn something new every day.
I know that the big truck stops have DEF, but this was right in the middle of town.

We make a small purchase as Chuck had filled with the DEF we got at Walmart earlier.
I have learned about DEF and at this point, I now know way to much about DEF.
Not a very exciting thing, but to know that you are putting pig urine into the truck to make it run, is really just way too much for me to understand.  ROFL

Back on the road it was a non-eventful trip back home.

We had a great trip to Arkansas with our wonderful friends.
Got to Zip Line, ride the bikes, sit under the stars, and just enjoy life.
Can't get much better than that.

Labor Day Weekend 2015 is in the record books!






Sunday, September 6, 2015

Big Bertha and Big Bertha's Sister Explore Eureka Springs. (9-6-15)

So far I think the Zip Line was the favorite thing we have done so far this trip, but today we are going to take a ride over to Missouri and see some friends of Chris & Diana's.
Their friends have a place over they that the park and leave the RV during the summer.











Beautiful day for a ride so we hit the road with a destination in mind.
Before we left I got a picture of our "buddy" spot with the bikes in it.
This really has been a great set up for us.




Our ride takes us through a town called "Blue Eye", which I thought was such an unusual name.
Little did I know that they had a reunion in this small town, and they even had a banner to prove it.  LOL

We find the Ozarks RV Resort and get directions at the office to the friends location.


They have a really nice and somewhat permanent set up. 
The outdoor kitchen and bar area is quite nice. 
We talked and got familiar with the area and they gave us a few ideas of places we should see around the area

They mentioned Big Cedar Lodge and said the food was really good there so with that in our mind we make plans for lunch 

Glad we got to come by and check out their home away from home. 
Back on the bikes we head back towards Blue Eye. 
We then head in a northerly direction to find Big Cedar Lodge.

Within 30-45 minutes we are our lunch destination.
The Devil's Pool Restaurant was having a brunch today. 
It was very tasty.
The whole area was so pretty and we are so glad we got to see just a small portion of the area.

There is so much history in this area, and I think it's wonderful that the owner of Bass Pro felt he wanted the area to flourish and keep a lot of it just the way it was back in the earlier years.


Table Rock Lake sure makes a picturesque backdrop for this beautiful area.















We get back on the bikes and start back towards Eureka Springs.
It was only about an hour and a half drive back.
As I write this, I realize that we actually went to the pool this afternoon after we got back, not like I posted in yesterday's blog. Oops!

It was fairly warm by the time we get back and the pool was a nice site to see.
The water was a bit cold, but after you finally get enough nerve to go it, it feels wonderful.







The guys decide to go ahead and load the bikes and start getting ready to pull out in the morning.
Let me tell you, it's a bit scary watching them pull the bikes into the trailers.  
We are on the crest of the hill, and this makes the ramp to the garage fairly high in the air.
At home we were able to extend the front jacks to make the back dip down for easy loading.

This location wasn't as easy.
They both got them in and I wish I would have gotten a video of it.
Next time I will be sure to do that. :)




Since Diana and Chris hadn't experienced the Crescent Hotel, we jumped in Big Bertha and drove downtown.
The hotel was fairly busy as they usually are.
We got to see the statue of Jesus across the treetops.  
It's a breathtaking site.
Driving Big Bertha through the small and winding streets of Eureka Springs isn't for the faint of heart.  
I'm glad I was in the back so I didn't see how close to the cars we actually come.
Chuck did great and didn't hit a one!
Back to the trailers to eat today's meal.
Diana tried a new recipe we had seen and it was smelling wonderful.

We have an awesome dinner at the trailer.
The new recipe with beans and roast was really good.

After dinner we walked the park one last time.
We have enjoyed our stay at the Wanderlust RV Park and will come back again.











I have tried to get a picture of a sign they have in the park and every time I try to get it, there are always cars parked around it.
Tonight I finally got the picture. 
Cars were still in the way, but I was able to get it anyway.
I think the words are great and something we should all remember.

Time to get some rest because we have to head back to the real world tomorrow.

Goodnight 











Saturday, September 5, 2015

Big Bertha and Big Bertha's Sister Explore Eureka Springs. (9-5-15)

When we first started planning this trip, Diana had mentioned that there was a Zip Line in Eureka Springs!
Over dinner last night, we discussed all of us doing the Zip Line.
Over breakfast the discussion came up again, and it was decided that the guys would go down and get the tickets when the store opens.

The guys ride downtown to the Zip Line place, and Diana and I work on a small project she had wanted to get done.
Seems the windows in both of their doors are not frosted.
While visiting Camping World she picked up some of the static cling frosted material to put on them.
We got our paper out and traced the windows out.
Diana got her scissors in gear and before you know it she had one cut out.
I gave her a helpful hint on installing the film.
It is a lot easier to move around if you use something like sudsy water or window cleaner on the surface.
It makes it a breeze to make it fit even better.
We had both doors done by the time the guys got back from downtown.





Diana had gotten a text from Chris saying we are going on the first zip line group of the day.
We have to be at the store at 10:30am to get fit with our gear, and ride to the staging area.
We got in gear, and as the guys returned, we got on the back of their bikes and headed to our 10:30am appointment (with death??!!!!)  only kidding!








Here is the link to the Zipline Eureka Springs
Of course you have to fill out the paperwork before anything else happens.
We are then told to go into this other area and they will get our equipment sized and installed on us properly.















We have 2 really nice guys that are in charge of our group this morning and immediately they are cracking jokes and kidding with the group.
Our group is made up of 4 couples (including us) and a man with his 2 daughters, and his parents.
As we ride to the staging area, everyone is fairly quiet....but truthfully we are just holding on and trying not to fall off our seat in the bus.
I am not saying they drove wild, but with curves and bumps, it was definitely a trip you had to make sure you were paying attention to or you might end up on the ground.  LOL
The first part of the zip line is 3 or 4 short zips.
We will actually do a total of 10 zips and reach speeds of about 60 MPH.








Our guides were very helpful with getting us hooked on the line and explained everything quite well.
Getting the hang of the hand break and knowing when you need to use it was about the only thing you really needed to remember, and of course holding your feet up aka crossing your feet.

Wow, this is fun...and by the time we get the small ones down, it is time to graduate to the longer ones.
We even walk over a suspension bridge to get to one of the staging areas.

Our group of people were a bit more talkative and were really having fun as we all took our turns to hook on and zip the lines.

Each line gets a little longer, and before we know it we are about 200 feet over a canyon and zipping along a 1800 foot zip line.






Wow is all I can say.
It really was fun looking around and seeing all the green tops of the trees under you just like clouds in the sky.

I never was sure if it would bother me to be that high in the air, but I can truly say, it never entered my mind as they latch you on the line and you zip to the other side.
Chuck took a video of me, and said I nervously chewing my gum, but I really don't think I was ever scared.
You just have to remember to brake if they hold their hand up for you to do it.






On on the the longest zips, when I get over to Diana she tells me that her lanyard on her IPhone had broken, and as she got to the landing platform and uncrossed her legs, she heard something drop.
You guessed it, it was her phone.
It actually landed on the platform and dropped off the edge.
It didn't fall 2 feet, but you can imagine what we thought about.
Can you see it....all of us calling her phone down in a canyon and trying to find it with "find my phone"....and then of course realizing it was wedged in a tree somewhere with probably wild monkeys making overseas calls to their monkey family in other countries....OK. well, maybe not wild monkeys....LOL
She is a very lucky girl is all I can say.
Sure did make me tuck mine a little more tightly the next zip!





Our 2 hour tour of the tree tops is over before we know it.
We all truly had a great time....well.....actually Chuck was singing soprano due to his harness not staying in place...and you can imagine the conversation we had on that matter....LOL





We get back in the bus and make the mad dash back to the store.
They have another group right after us, so time is of the essence!!!  
Again, I am holding on for dear life to stay in my seat.
Our guides direct us to the staging room and we remove our equipment.

Great time for sure...would do it again in a heart beat...and if you find yourself in Eureka Springs, it really should be on your list of things to do.

Of course it is lunch time, and we have to make our usual stop at Grandma's Beans and Cornbread.
A trip to Eureka Springs just isn't a trip unless you go there.

The food was as good as ever....and of course the cobbler and ice cream was divine as well.

We walk to the leather store that is next door, and spy a couple of really cute skull purses.
We are not convinced that we need them, so we don't purchase at this time, but you know there is always tomorrow.
The Harley Dealership has moved and it is just up the hill so Diana and I walk and the guys move the bikes up there as well.

It was a pretty quick run through at the dealership, but as we walk out we see this store that we had been told to go to.
It is called The Spice Boat, and next door is Fresh Harvest.
Its obvious what the Spice Boat is but Fresh Harvest, well, it is a Balsamic Vinegar shop.
It was really cool to see what they have infused with the vinegar.
They have little cups that you can test all the different flavors with.
It was pretty interesting, but as we looked at the guys faces as they walked in, we knew it was going to be a quick browse and go type of thing.

The Spice Boat had quite a few nice folding utensils for the trailer.

You know the type, the space saving ones.
Diana and I both purchased this really cool chopping thingy...
Its called a Swiss Pull Chop, and you just put the stuff in to chop and you pull the cord, like you are starting a lawn mower...LOL
Look out  salsa....theres a new kid in town.

Its time to head back to camp and take a dip in the pool.
After we take a dip, its time to think dinner.
I had made some turkey chili, and we put it in the crock pot earlier to warm up, so we know what is on the menu for this evening.

We finish our meal, and walk around the camp site again.
Couldn't help ourselves so we had to get a pictures of us with Yoda.

Enjoyed our new experience of Zip Lining  today, and all the rest of the day was fun as well.

Time to get some rest, so I will say good night!






Friday, September 4, 2015

Big Bertha and Big Bertha's Sister Explore Eureka Springs (9-4-15)

Seems that everyone got a good nights rest, and I am going to attempt to put a breakfast casserole in the oven and fix for everyone this morning.


Source

First things first, lighting the oven.
Had to get Chris to come over and show us how this is done.
Success....we have fire  ;)

I had bought some of the disposable aluminum pans thinking this would make clean up very easy.
Cooked the casserole the allotted time and looks really good.










As I put a spoon in it for serving, I notice that it hasn't cooked evenly.
Looks like its going to be a brown bottom casserole  :(
Everyone ate it, but I really wasn't happy with my morning meal.












Diana is fixing a crock pot of stew for dinner tonight, so she has got it all ready to cook while we are away.

When we checked in last night, the owners at the Wanderlust RV Park, gave us a few tips on areas we may have not ridden.
I have to say we are veterans to the area, and most of the roads have been explored, but I think they have shown us one that we haven't been on.
With that information, we plot our ride for the morning.

Chuck has messed with our satellite last night and started again this morning.
He is a bit frustrated to say the least.
We have exchanged receivers with Chris and Diana's and even put their satellite up in place of ours. 
Maybe the trees in the RV park is our issue and especially the one directly in our path of the satellite??!!!!












Time to get on the bikes and go for a ride.
We make our way to the spot in the road called "Osage AR".
There is a place called Osage Clayworks  and I would love to see what it's all about.
The ride to Osage was very nice.
The windy roads were so relaxing, and of course just breathing the air and the smell of Sweet Autumn Clematis along the way was even more of a bonus.

The Osage Clayworks was an interesting place, and the pottery was really nice.
A lady was sitting at the potters wheel learning how to make a pot with the helpful guidance of a gentleman that was a local I assumed.
He was quite patient with her, and showed her some tricks they use to get the pots so straight.
One of these days, I would like to try it!!!










As we start to leave the gentleman that owned to place asked if we had ever eaten at Low Gap.

Funny he asked,(do you think he thought we looked lost)  as I was actually trying to get a signal on my phone to google the location.
He was so kind and gave us the directions to get there.






Looks like we are going to Low Gap Cafe for lunch.

The ride was absolutely great.
We travel over the mountainous area, and enjoy the shade that the trees and mountain is providing, as the temperature keeps rising.







Before we know it, we are at Low Gap Cafe.
Man, if you blink you will miss it!!!

There was no waiting line, in fact, there was only one other couple in the cafe as we made our way through the front door.

The people at the cafe and even the people that we eating there were so friendly.
I guess this is quite a well known place to eat.

We enjoyed the food and even had dessert.
They tempted us all with this beautiful very large piece of chocolate cake.
I am a sucker for chocolate cake...so of course we had to share a piece.
Chris had coconut cream pie that looked just as yummy.
Now that we are miserably full, we will get back on the bikes and head back towards Berryville.








Now if you are not pronouncing Berryville correctly you WILL be corrected....you say it like this.... Burrie-vel....with a slight accent.  (haha...learned this a few years ago)....can't help myself, have to pronounce like the locals do.







Diana & Chris are having TV issues so we are going to stop at Berryville at the Walmart to check out what they might have to replace theirs.
They scoped out the TV's and figured out which one they wanted so we will go back to Eureka Springs and get the truck and come back to pick it up.





The day is getting quite warm, so it was good to get back to the park, and get into the air conditioned truck.
Back to Berryville we go.
You know how Walmart is, you can never go in there and not purchase something.
Seems we needed DEF for Big Bertha, so of course we purchased some.
The TV was purchased as well.


Back at camp, Chris starts removing the old TV and replaces it with the new one.
The stew that has cooked all day is really smelling good!
Before you know it we are sitting down for a delicious dinner.

There have been a lot of people move into the RV Park today and looks like it is pretty full.
We decide to take a walk around and check out the other homes away from home.
Nothing like being a nosy neighbor  :)
Diana and I had signed up on RVillage, and we see that there is someone at the park that has said hello to us, so we go and seek them out and say hello.
Enjoyed meeting them and sharing a few stories.

All in all this was a really nice day....
Looks like we have plans to Zip Line tomorrow....so stay tuned....
Goodnight  :)