Tag Archives: my birthday

Earthquake Ridge, Ouachita National Forest ~Day 4

landscape

I got winter weather for my 31st birthday!

There was frost everywhere and snow/sleet coming down.

leaffrost

You could barely tell it was snowing and it was the kind of snow that feels like it is trying to kill you but that did not stop me from dancing a jig.

And squealing…

statelinestart

The boys did not exactly share my enthusiasm.

cold

stateline

It was so moody and beautiful.

landscape2

tower

It was freezing and very windy but the boys were still hoping to climb the tower.

I was not that disappointed to find out that it is only open on the weekends.

look

view

graveyard

They have an old graveyard that you can see right off the Talimena Drive.

earthquake

The Earthquake Ridge Complex Trail system is located right outside of Mena.

orchardtrail

They have a lot of different trails.

The Orchard Trail is nice and easy and less then a mile.

orchardtrailnick

pineforest

deck

boys

us

We went into Mena to get lunch and then did another short hike.

fern

markers

They seem to be a little worried that you might lose the trail…

throw

bridge

bridgewater

building

The boys decided to build a bridge.

Because obviously they needed a bridge to cross the creek.

bridgecreek

landscape3

pie

Pumpkin pie on my birthday!

I bought myself cupcakes but I could not wait until my birthday and ate them.

I thought about buying myself more cupcakes but thought it might be a bit much.

30

I am now 30.

30

I really do not have a problem with that. Most of my friends are in their thirties.

What I did not count on was my feelings of panic that I did not end my last day in my twenties in a big way.

I was suddenly sad last night that I was not out hiking in the ozarks or watching the sunset over a lake.

I wanted to take off for the nearest lake but dinner was on the stove.

I settled for a self portrait and a walk in our backyard in between the moments dinner needed my attention.

I also made myself a pumpkin cheesecake and ate half of it…

Eating half of a cheesecake will always make you feel like you are celebrating.

 

My Birthday ~My boys and I

We went on a trip to Beavers Bend State Park in southern Oklahoma for my birthday.

I handed my husband the camera several times because I wanted to make sure I was in some shots.

I made the mistake of telling the boys they were knocking me over when they pushed on me…

So of course they tried to push me over.

A lot of deer! They were everywhere and seemed pretty used to people.

Our Christmas card pic minus Nick…

I tried to get a shot with all of us but this was the best I could do.

I look mad because I just ran across a stream after pushing the button on the camera (forgot my remote) and Justin is making an odd face.

At least it shows we were all there.

He made me laugh.

I will blog more pics and details about the hike on my outdoor blog.

Joining Emily over at the Anderson Crew to get in the shot!