Roaring River and the Run-Away Watermelon

I lead a young adult group at my church. We usually have something going on or being planned. Our latest adventure was a pre-school (college classes are about to start) party at Roaring River State Park, Cassville, Missouri. It was a great afternoon.

We met at the Buss Stop in Garfield. There was a reason for this location, besides getting everyone in the same place to caravan the rest of the way. The Buss Stop has the BIGGEST ice cream cones around! There was a line, but that was part of the charm, standing and talking about this and that while waiting for one of those cool cones (mine was a twist).

Roaring River is special in many ways. It is an easy drive and a beautiful spot. Not only are there nice facilities, but many are historic (Civilian Conservation Corps work) and handsome (both the new and the old). The stream is teaming with trout thanks to the hatchery built to take advantage of the big spring that is the source of Roaring River. There are plenty of diversions from fishing and swimming to hiking and camping. And, for me at least, there is nostalgia; my family has visited this park for as long as I can remember.

As well as the people, there was a watermelon included in the party. It was a nice, big, homegrown fruit, but it was hot.  So, to cool off, it went swimming along with the rest of us. Now there is a fact that should be obvious from the name; watermelons are very juicy (have high water content). That means watermelons float! Ours did its best to float away. With much splashing and laughter, it never made good its desire for adventure. Sadly, it never got to be the star of the feast either. We were too full after eating hotdogs and ready to leave after our walk up river to the spring to find out if it was as sweet and juicy to eat as it was fun to play with!

Have you had watermelon lately?

Summer

It’s been awhile since I last wrote for North of the Tunnel.  I’ve been busy with another writing project as well as trying to keep up with all the events of summer.  Some of the highlights of my summer so far:

 We went to one and hosted another 4^th of July party with fireworks, in spite of rain either falling or threatening,

Thanks to visiting family, we had a reunion.  It wasn’t as large as some past but lots of fun.

Summer ministry in Lake Atlanta Park, consisting of a simplified version of Vacation Bible School done one day a week for several weeks rather than as a solid week, started in July and will come to an end soon.  It is amazing how excited the kids get!

I had a great day out playing tourist with my cousin Glenda.  We went to Compton Gardens in Bentonville (only one of our many stops) and walked a little distance on the Crystal Bridges Trail.  A family of deer came out of the underbrush – a doe and three fawns.  They let me and my camera get within 20 feet before going off the trail.

One especially meaningful event was a 90 and ½ birthday party for a sweet lady who was critically ill on her 90^th birthday.  She was taken totally by surprise!

This summer has had many opportunities for entertainment and learning, and it is far from over.  Today is the first day of the Benton County Fair.  Frisco Festival will come along the end of the month in Rogers.  It is Restaurant Week in Fayetteville and the Headquarters House Ice Cream Social is scheduled for this Saturday. 

Labor Day is on the horizon marking the end of the Summer Season, but there are still quite a few sunny summer days ahead.  What do you have planned to enjoy them?