Day One: Ten Hour Drive!

Today was the first long leg of our road trip. Ten hours. I'm glad we did it today. We were energized and ready for a road trip! It was fun going through the top part of Louisiana. So many trees! Who would've thought? The only part of Louisiana that I have experienced is the swampy part. I love that area of Louisiana, but it was cool to see the different types of landscaping the state has to offer. I don't know if I've ever been in that part of the state. I enjoyed it. So beautiful!

Arkansas: Erica and I felt a bit like foreigners. Everyone looked at us with blank stares in each establishment we walked into. It was quite odd. We walked into this gas station and had two men standing in dark corners fixedly staring at us. The lady at the cash register seemed very confused as to why we were there. I kind of got confused myself. And they apparently, in Arkansas, don't use bathrooms...or soap.  I know, I know...stereotyping, but we journeyed to about three different locations down the road trying to find a bathroom. It was crazy. Sorry, Arkansas.

Mississippi! Super awesome! The roads were long and full of trees, farm lands, and small towns. It was picturesque to say the least. I was completely amazed at the beauty. I had no idea America still had all that green. Breathtaking.

Erica and I got pretty antsy by the last hour of our trip, but when we got to Nick's house things were great! The food was good as well as the company. Nick's mom is so hospitable and friendly! She has a junk food drawer in the kitchen. Come on, that's just awesome. I didn't get to indulge in the junk food drawer this visit...but the idea that I could have if I wanted to...was amazing. Nick and his mom showed Erica and I their minies (ponies. haha) and they were so cute! One of them was pregnant. Her stomach was bulging! I couldn't believe that there was a horse baby in there. What are baby horses called? A colt? Anyways, we got to touch her stomach and my hand could feel the baby moving around in there. I was astonished at God's power.

Dinner was delicious. We had shish kabobs, vegetables, and garlic bread! Dessert: strawberry short cake. Mmmm.

Erica, Nick, and I went on a walk around his property. His family owns about 180 acres, I believe. It was amazing. If only my camera could have captured what we saw. The night was so peaceful and cool. Three dogs decided to go on the walk with us. They were lightly entertaining. :) As we walked and the sun went down, fireflies flashed their lights in the darkness of the woods. I had forgotten they existed. It was a mesmerizing, nostalgic moment for me. I remembered being a kid and trying to catch them with my sisters. We loved chasing them around. The fireflies twinkled all over the land. Anywhere we turned they were there.

I was so thankful for this stop on our long road trip. What a blessing!

May 22, 2010