Lost Valley Trail, Arkansas

Located near Ponca, Arkansas the Lost Valley Trail was one of my favorite hikes that we did on a recent three day trip for my birthday.

It is part of the Buffalo National River Trail system.

It is perfect for children and a beautiful hike.

This was the second time we have hiked in lost valley.

Here is a picture from our first hike there in 2007.

That is my OLDEST in the pack!

It is about 2.1 miles total.

This is not the trail, they just have to take the hard way.

This one has hiking boots, they were supposed to be one his feet but somehow the ever present rain boots are what made the trip.

At the end of the trail is this cave and a waterfall.

This is a smaller waterfall and cave earlier on in the hike.

I did not go in on the way out but decided to on the way back.

Water reflections on the rock.

Fall is my favorite time to hike!

Get out and enjoy it!

Birthday Surprise!

My husband was being a bit mysterious about a package that was going to be delivered but since it was going to be my birthday soon I did not ask any questions.

I needed to be home to sign for the package so I watched and waited all day. I was not sure it was for me but that did not change my trying to make sure I did not miss the delivery man.

I am nice like that.

He finally came late that night.

With a lens that my husband rented for me for my birthday trip!

It was a Nikon 70-200 2.8, for you photography people out there. It basically means you can zoom in far away with only a little bit being in focus, for you non-photography people.

I brought it over to my friends Stephanie’s house the next day so she could try it out and so the kids(I) could play.

We decided it was the lazy mans lens.

You can get beautiful pictures without moving from your comfy chair!

So, of course I loved it….

I have wanted this lens for a while but after listing pros and cons with my husband I had decided it would be heavy to haul around on hikes.

That is what I kept telling myself at least.

I got to test out that theory while hiking in the Ozarks.

We brought only the 70-200 on our first hike.

It was heavy but not too bad, this was only a 3 mile hike though, I was pretty sure I would be willing to throw it in a bush on a 10 mile one.

I did find myself missing my old lens a 18-200, it does not do as well in low light but it takes really nice wide shots.

The next morning we got up early and went driving around looking for Elk.

It was cloudy and they were far away so I had to zoom all the way in.

My other lens had some trouble getting sharp shots in those conditions.

This one did amazing.

I was getting a major crush on this lens.

We hiked some more and hauled it around with us.

We also brought my backup camera with the 18-200 so I could get a wide shot every once in a while.

I started to figure out how to hold it without feeling all that weight.

I was really liking it but in the back of my mind I knew I would have to return it.

So after we got back I said my goodbyes and shipped it off.

I thought that was the end of that lens for me.

Then yesterday Nick asked me if I could hang around for another package.

I said sure and did not think much of it.

This came in the mail.

He bought me the lens.

He explained that he just rented it to try it out and see if I liked it before buying it.

I loved it and was pouting that I had to give it back(running away to Mexico with it crossed my mind).

I guess that told him what he needed to know.

I am still in shock.

Not enough to not enjoy it though!

Praise the lord for an amazing husband that loves to make me smile.

I am blessed.