The Ride Home

As I mentioned in my earlier posts, Jen flew out to Oklahoma to see the park and to drive home with me. I really, really appreciated her company---and we had a blast on our road trip!

We made several decisions early on:

1. To visit as many parks as we could;
2. To just see how the day goes;
3. To get home by Saturday (I knew I would be antsy by that point....).

After we said goodbye to Lauren we headed east across Oklahoma and stopped for the first time (if you don't count the side road pullovers to check the bike and bike rack) in Fort Smith, AR. We decided to grab lunch first and then headed to the park.

Jen hadn't been to the famous Mazzio's yet and so we dined there---a treat for both of us---love that lunch buffet! We even got the dessert pizza---butter and cinnamon sugar on a crust with chocolate chips---YUM!


Then, it was off to Fort Smith National Historic Site! It was hot, but it didn't seem as hot as when Mark and visited in 2006--thank goodness!

Our first stop was to the visitor center to get stamps! Unfortunately, one was upside down. :(
Then on to a tour of the museum---there are definitely some shots here that were not included--only on Jen's camera! But suffice it to say that we had a good time being interactive with the exhibits!
We both loved visit Judge Park's courtroom and deciphering what was authentic and what is a replica....

I could not resist pretending that I was a pioneer headed west! Those wagons are much higher than you might think! If only I had a team of horses!



Our trip would not have been complete without our border picture....
We also visited the gallows---for our friend Eric! :) Rather morbid but fascinating and an integral part of the story at Fort Smith--especially since Judge Parker was known as "The Hanging Judge" for his intolerance of crime and terrorism in the frontier!

We had such a good time at Fort Smith that realized we would not make it to Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site that evening...so we made the most of our daylight and went to visit the Capitol building in Little Rock (remember Jen's fascination with state Capitol buildings?). :)
Jen even found an orange cone within our first minutes out of the car!


And we found the Little Rock that Little Rock is named for (just kidding).....

It was a great time to be on the Capitol grounds---really beautiful with the setting sun. We found the statue of the Little Rock Nine and couldn't resist taking a photo with them!


After a great self-tour of the exterior of the building we headed to dinner--PF Chang's! The same one that Mark and I first ate at! Loved it! Had a phone call home to our guys...and enjoyed some tasty Chinese food!

The next morning we got up early to visit High School--but first had a stop at Starbucks for CAFFEINE! Thanks to Lauren and Chris I had a gift card for my morning brew! Thank you!!!! :)


Last time I was there the new visitor center hadn't been started yet and the visitor center was in the gas station (historic building) across the street. It was neat to see the new visitor center--absolutely beautiful!


We both loved being at the school! We couldn't go in because only registration was happening...but we did maximize our photos outside!



The exhibits inside of the visitor center were beautiful....

and of course there were more stamps to get!


After we left Little Rock we hit the pedal to the metal to get to Tennessee in time to meet up with Jen's friend Susan for dinner. We made it and had a great time! Susan ended up staying with us for the night and we had a little bit of a slumber party! We all went for coffee together the next morning and then Jen and I headed off....

I dropped her off at her house around 3pm and drove the rest of my short ride home reflecting on our road trip, my summer, and thinking about the coming school year....but foremost on my mind was getting home to see Mark and Soba....

Leaving Chickasaw :(

It is unbelievable that the day finally came....time to drive back home DC and leave my summer of Park Ranger-ness behind. :( I stayed up pretty late the night before packing and got up early to put all of my things in the new rental car....

Lauren and Chris and Jen came over....with Starbucks in hand---an incredibly sweet (and appreciated gesture!!!).

We took lots of pictures--I just wasn't ready to leave...

Our goodbyes took longer and Chris and Lauren had to get to work so we all drove over to the Vis together and continued with out good byes (and tears and Kleenex).....
And we took more pictures (not bad for self-timer on the roof the rental car, huh?)....

and of course a group leg kick picture!!!!...

and pictures by the beautiful flowering tree outside of the Vis...of our favorite Ranger couple!!!


Then, a photo of the Ranger Girls...

and an accompanying high kick!

Then, it was time for Chris to head off....but not without a quick pose by his truck!

And then.... :( ....time for Jen and Amy to head out....

We were smiling in this photo, but not for long...


It was soooo hard to drive off. My summer at Chickasaw was so special and summer of awesome memories. The hardest part was looking in the rear view mirror and seeing Lauren waving--both of us with our Kleenex in hand....

Thanks Eric and Vickie!

This is a special shout out to Eric and Vickie! On my last days they both gave me something very special....

Vicki made me a fantastic photo cube that I absolutely love---each side of the cube has a different picture of our staff doing various things in the office. It's a great photo cube and one that I'm glad I will have when I go home!

Vicki also was sooo sooo kind as to go in the owl cage to get me owl pellets. Not just once, but twice. She had put aside several owl pellets for me earlier in the summer, but I never collected them in a bag and subsequently they were thrown out. I wanted to make sure I had some to take back as teaching objects, so Vicki went back in and collected more pellets for me.

Thanks Vicki!!!!

Then, that same afternoon, Eric presented me with a wonderful framed document of the Black Sulphur Springs. I love it! It reminds me of the great afternoon we spent in the Park's archives and it definitely reminds me of all of the great [park] history that Eric knows and likes to share.

I am very honored to have received such a gift and I really love it! I know exactly where I will hand it when I head home! I am so touched! Thank you Eric!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

It's hard to believe that a week ago I was still in Oklahoma. I have a lot to report and update...and it's coming....

But first, an ode to Lauren and her awesome baking!

On my second to last day Lauren brought me peanut butter chocolate bars. They were delicious! They were like a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup on top and a rolled oats and cookie crumble bottom. They were refrigerated...and a perfect late afternoon treat!

You can read her blog to see the recipe. I'll send you there because she has done a great post outlining the process and telling about the recipe itself.

As I said, I have a ton to update--and it will come in pieces.

But tonight I'm craving these yummy treats and wish I could see my friend Lauren and enjoy a great peanut butter chocolate bar with her! :)

My Last Day... :(

My last day.....I will not capture everything about my last day...it was a roller coast of a day....it started off with my previous entry about feeding the Bison...that was the high point...after that it was a lot of goodbyes and tears and near tears.....

Well...let me show you my day...

After our bison feeding Lauren and I showed Jen around the park a bit since she hadn't seen it in the daylight yet....

We went to the springs....

and of course the Lincoln Bridge!!!


and then towards the Nature Center...but Jen couldn't resist dipping her toes in the waters of Chickasaw at the crossing!

Then, a behind the scenes look at the office and meeting Eric....

and the rest of the staff.....
and Daphine and Prince...

Then....to the STAMP!!!!
Vicki introduced Jen to Crooked Horn....
and some of the other animals in the Nature Center.
Jen went with us back to the Vis while Lauren and I got a few things done. She hopped on the intranet and took care of some work away from work as well!
Then, it was lunch time--a trip to Roma for Jen, Laure, Eric and me!
A toast to Jen's visit! :)



Sadness to come....our stop that afternoon entailed a visit to Cheryl's office---normally a very happy outing...but today...
I had to turn my Park Ranger badge in....and it was just too much.... :(
Lauren and I headed back to the Nature Center for me to say goodbye and to take final photos. Jen took some too...
There were moments of leg kicks...

and photo taking with the giant arrowhead...

catching up on local news in the Sulphur paper....

and a moment or two with the puppets. Then, we headed to the Junior Ranger Station so that Jen could get the other stamp Chickasaw has. We showed Jen the Ranger Station....


and then it was time for me to say goodbye---and yet more tears....
Jen and Lauren headed to Ardmore and I headed home to go for a run one last time in the park and to finish packing. Somewhere around 9:30 pm I realized I was hungry and headed to the Chinese restaurant I hadn't tried all summer....and tried something new....
I couldn't believe my summer was over already! :(