As I have mentioned before, most of my family live in Alberta. The last time I saw my little niece Anna (Banana) she was just 6 months old. My sister and her husband have done an awesome job of turning her into a beautiful young lady. She’s 5 now, (going on 14) and she is just the sweetest little thing you ever saw. I can’t explain how much my heart broke when I pulled away last night, knowing that I might not see her or her mom(who happens to be my baby sister) and dad for another 5 years.
Unfortunately 99% of my family live in Alberta so I don’t get to see them often and the rest of my family live from 9-12 hours drive. These 2 little beauties are my neices, Summer and Hayley. They are the 1% of my family and are still on the island. Summer is 11 and recently won a silver medal in the Newfoundland Junior Provicial Figure Skating Games. Hayley is 8 and is rapidly becoming an awesome soccer player. They are both turning into amazing, talented young women. I couldn’t be more proud!
Just about a mile from Texarkan in them old Cotton fields back home
Today we spent some time exploring Hot Springs, Arkansas. There is actually HOT water spouting out of springs in the ground in 47 different locations.
In the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas lie “The Valley of the Vapors,” as coined by Hernando DeSoto in 1541 when he discovered what has since become Hot Springs National Park. Prior to DeSoto’s “discovery,” Native Americans from various tribes held the site to be sacred and would gather to bathe in its healing waters. The springs were a place of peace, and no weapon could be raised against another.
The springs produce more than 800,000 gallons of water a day at an average temperature of 143 degrees. The water that flows from the springs today took over 4,000 years to filter down through the sedimentary layers. The heating of the water is caused not by magma or geothermal activity, but by intense pressure as the water is forced back to the surface through small fissures.
The mineral waters of the springs have a reputation for healing illnesses and afflictions for those who drink it or bathe in the waters. People from all walks of life journeyed to the legendary springs seeking a cure for their ailments. Metaphysical circles believe that the veins of quartz running through and beneath the springs lend their healing energies to the waters.
Getting comfortable here in the south
Rick and I at Hot Springs, Arkansas and I am smiling...lol
Heading home from a hard day taming a wild stag
Country Road take me home, to the place I belong
Today we visited the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. The assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was very sobering to stand there with the realization that he lost his life solely based on the color of his skin and that so much racism still exists in our society. The Lorraine Motel is now a museum and stands as a monument to everything he stood for. Another man who gave his life to change the world.
We arrived in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday, and spent a few days checking out the touristy and not so touristy attractions. Lots of pics to follow. Today we made our second stop in Memphis, Tenessee. Home of Elvis Presley. Thus far it has been an incredible journey. Tomorrow we are going to Graceland!!! I can’t tell you how excited I am. As I have mentioned before, music is secondary only to photography in my life and I cut my teeth on Elvis.
For some reason, I haven’t been able to upload pics to the net even though I’ve been paying for it so, I still have lots to put up! Here are a few from the zoo today. I think I was more excited than most of the kids there!!
