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

(Click for today's pictures) 

• 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.