July 18, 2026-Dennie Family Trip 2026

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This morning started out with breakfast at Les' cabin. They had breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls. It was all very good. Then we immediately started on lunch-at least making our sack lunches for our float.

We walked a little bit with the dogs, and then it was time to kick getting ready for our float trip into high gear. We had our two ice chests backpacks-one with drinks and the other one with our lunches. Most of us too had our phones in a case around neck (though I never used mine)

All of our group went on the float trip except for Grannymom and Dana They stayed back to hang out at the pool and then to greet us when we floated in. We met at the office where they gave us a brief orientation, and then it was on to vans to our drop off point.

There were 14 of us plus four other people in the two busses. We drove to Rim Shoals which was about 15 minutes away, and then we put our kayaks in. (Les and Cash both had canoes.) When we first started the float, I was thinking that we might could have done the longer one.

By the end, I was glad that we were only doing the short float. It took us 3 and a half hours to make it back. Pretty soon after starting, we stopped at a lunch spot. It was shaded and perfectly nice. The water was ice cold, and there was often a breeze so it was pretty pleasant....except for knowing that the sun was absolutely frying us.

My arms and face feel a little burned, and I think that Robby and Graham did fairly well too. Everyone else are varying shades of pink-Whitman's arms, Anderson's legs, Campbell's entire self, and I can't really remember about Keaton, but I think that her face a was a bit pink.

The kayak trip was really pretty-especially the last little bit where the bluff was beside us. Towards the very end, I was beginning to think about waving (or even winking-whatever it took) at a fisherman to get a ride back. Once we realized where we were, we were so close to being back.

Most of the kids rated the kayak trip as a 7 out of 10, so that is a definite win for sure. After taking the dogs out, Campbell, Robby, and I took Bentley and Marley to swim in the river. They just aren't swimmers! Bentley does not like to get her feet off the ground-she is fine in the water as long as she can touch...like me. Marley did swim some, but she was just trying to get to Campbell and even scratched Robby trying to get back to safety.

After this, we got ready and met everyone at Salsa's Grill in Mountain Home. It was fine Mexican food-I always want to try something new when I eat out, but really I should just get something that I know that I will like-enchiladas for example.

After eating, we met back at Les' cabin to take a family picture. Then we loaded up a few things and headed back towards our camper. Whitman did run over to our camper to eat ice cream, but then Robby and I walked the dogs back to their cabin for a bit. Now, we are all in our beds, and I think that the big boys are sound asleep!

July 17, 2026-Dennie Family Trip 2026

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We slept in a good bit this morning or at least I did. We did get up and quietly walk the dogs. The scenery is beautiful so Robby and I even sat on our bed for a while this morning just looking out the back window-we were playing on our phones of course too but still enjoying the scenery.

Keaton went to the pool pretty much as soon as she woke up. Whitman stirred after Keaton, but he said that he wasn't going to the pool. He then had lunch, and I guess Keaton convinced him because he put on his bathing suit and headed out.

Robby and I walked the dogs and then sat on the porch by the pool and office. We were in the shade and under the fans so it was pleasant. We thought we heard thunder, and sure enough on our walk back we could tell that a storm was rolling in. 

And roll in it did. I had picked up my phone to text Keaton to say that a storm was coming when I saw that they were walking back. No sooner did they get back than the bottom fell out-it was a storm, and maybe the thunder was louder because we were near the bluff/mountain/hill/whatever. 

Soon though the rain cleared and not only did the sun show up, but so did Anderson, Graham, Campbell, and Grannymom. Robby and I met them at the office and got everyone checked in. First, we stopped at Whitman and the girls' cabin. It is a narrow one room cabin with a little kitchenette area, couch, bathroom, and bed. It is actually pretty nice.

Then it was on to scope out Les' cabin. It is the nicest by far, and then we sat in Grannymom's cabin for a bit. Soon everyone started showing up. Dana had pizza for our supper, and we all hung out at Les' cabin. He has a wonderful screened in porch so our dogs and Les' dogs all hung out there. 

After supper we visited quite a bit and then all took a walk around the campground. It was a pleasant evening after the rain, and now for bed!

July 16, 2026-Dennie Family Trip 2026 (an early start)

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• I woke up and took a super short shower and then headed to pick up Keaton since she had spent the night at a friend's house. Once we were home, I did the laundry and woke up Whitman. Then a little bit after 9, it was time to head out. 
• Keaton and Whitman joined us on this leg of the trip. We had no problems at all and drove right to Blanchard Springs State Park-Blanchard Springs is actually not yet officially a state park because (if I understand correctly) the law says that Arkansas can only have 52 state parks so they have to vote to change that.
• However, if I would have known that is the case, I could have suggested a few state parks that should be downgraded and lose their state park status-Lower White River Museum is the first one that comes to my mind. 
• Anyway, I sure didn't write any of my thoughts down because no telling who would read them. We still counted this visit as a State Park visit, and Robby and I have been to 13 in the last 2 months and since 2020 we have visited 43 of the 53.
• Robby and I think that the last time we were at Blanchard Springs was when we were in 4th or 5th grades for a school field trip. We have been a lot of caves and even a lot of National Park caves, but this one is pretty impressive. 
• We had even thought about not taking the tour, but I'm glad that we did. It was an hour tour and was pretty interesting. I did tell Robby that the older I get, the more educational things, like caves, interest me.
• From the cave, we just had a little over an hour of curvy roads to get to the White Buffalo Resort. We are right next to the river and have a very nice view. Everyone else will be pretty far away, but we will have a car so it will work out. 
• Keaton and Whitman didn't waste any time and headed to the pool as soon as they could. Robby and I settled and then took the dogs on a walk. Before too long it was supper time-chicken pasta. Then Keaton, Robby, and I went exploring a little bit. 
• Now we are all back in the camper-Whitman had some ice cream, Keaton had some muddy buddies, and Robby and I will have ice cream soon. 

July 15, 2026-Happy 26th Anniversary

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• I had big plans this morning to pull all of the weeds in the flower beds. There are currently more weeds than plants, so I had my work cut out for me. However, the rain saved me today. I was not expecting rain at all, so I was pleasantly surprised. 
• Anderson and Graham left early this morning to go and earn a little bit of money. They moved some metal from one house boat to another place. They were paid and even got lunch out of the deal. They even drove through Mount Ida and were fairly close to Reagan though they didn't go by her camp. 
• Robby left pretty early to do some shopping for this weekend. While he was gone, I did a few things around the house, and then I started working on redoing my plan for Keaton's history. I was able to do half of the lessons for her history, so I was pleased with my progress.
• This afternoon Keaton drove me to meet Robby to get gas. Then we went to Hobby Lobby where she bought a shirt, and then we went to Platos where neither one of us found anything at all. She enjoyed our trip especially since I let her drive most of the time.
• I made the boys' favorite supper tonight-meatball subs. I actually think that everyone likes them-I probably could make them weekly with no complaints. After Anderson ate, he left for basketball. He was gone for a little while and came back soaking because they played in the rain part of the time.
• I then took Keaton to a party tonight. She is even going to spend the night so she was excited about that, plus she was excited that I let her drive there too. Now, Robby and I are trying to watch our show that we didn't finish last night, but our ice cream is in the camper so I'm not sure what our anniversary dessert will be. 

July 14, 2026-Quick Trip to Edgewood

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Robby was the first one awake today. He had already walked Marley by the time that I stirred. It wasn't too long after that he left so he could get some internet and do some work. While he was gone, I finished the book that I was reading and then brushed the dogs.

As soon as Robby finished his calls, he came back, and we started loading up. It didn't take long before we were on the road. I stopped at a few gas stations on the way home so I made it home a few minutes after he did. I'm listening to a really good book so I even drove a little bit slower on Springhill so I could listen to more of it.

When we came home, the camper wasn't that difficult to clean-all of the food stayed in except a handful of things plus we left the fridge on. Then all of our un-worn clothes stayed in there as well, so there really wasn't too much to do. I still had about 4 loads of clothes to wash (clothes from camper, clothes from here, towels and sheets from camper). 

Overall, unpacking from this trip didn't take long at all. Usually, on the days that we get home, we are pretty worn out when we finished, but not today. We had a ton of packages to open when we came home. This weekend Keaton had a friend over who was intrigued by all of our packages and intrigued because all of our food was big (thanks Sams and Costco).

For supper I heated up some taquitos and as soon as Graham was finished he headed out for the night. Anderson tried to get people to play basketball, but he had no takers; however, it looks like it is going to rain now though.

July 13, 2026-Quick Trip to Edgewood

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Robby and I slept as long as Marley would let us this morning. He had actually taken her on a walk around the loop before I did get out of bed. Soon I was up and ready and joined him for the long loop with Bentley. 

Robby had to work a good bit today, and with the internet being pretty spotty it was sometimes difficult. He even had to drive down the road a little bit so he could send some things. Since the internet is so weak, I spent a lot of time crocheting, listening to my book, and reading. I started one book yesterday have read more than half of it already. 

Whitman has had less problems with the internet than the rest of us. We have been able to watch a few shows every night though. It is certainly good to slow down, but I think that I was about to go a little bit stir crazy! I even tried to think how I could make some extra money, but then I just decided that I would do better making a list of things that I need to buy.

This evening, Campbell wrote asking if we would bring her some Sonic, and when one of your babies writes for ice cream, you get them ice cream. We delivered her and Laynie Sonic and chatted with them for a good bit., I think that Campbell is enjoying camp...it is only the first day though.

When we left them, we had to hurry back to Sonic to buy Whitman a drink. Then back at the camper, I'm working on the blog and next I might do some more reading!

July 12, 2026-Quick Trip to Edgewood

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We woke up and did our morning walk. It was much cooler this morning-well, maybe not much cooler, but it wasn't nearly as sticky outside. While we were on our walk, Campbell and Keaton headed to church first. They had to do the doors and get there early. Then Anderson and Graham went next. When church ended, they ate Sunday lunch with Grannymom.

Robby and I had our breakfast after our walk. Then I went to work crocheting-I have finished 2 squares on this camping trip, finished 1 book, and finished one audio book. Plus tomorrow I'll finish the book I brought about Utah's National parks.

We did go to the state park this afternoon to walk around a little bit. We were surprised at how sad the gift shops were-especially at the visitor's center. It really needed some help. We then came back, and I eventually made supper-taquitos. 

Then we played Forbidden Island-a board game. We actually played twice because the lost the game almost immediately. Then we read some more, and now I've come back to the bed and possibly will take my shower soon