Some Firsts

It is amazing how we go through life living without knowing what amazing things there are out there. I got to have one of these moments this past weekend when I went on a float trip on the Buffalo River. I joked, but it is reality, that up until this weekend the closest I had ever come to camping was staying in a motel... But I quickly learned that camping is fun and not at all what I had expected and it is okay to be dirty, remember the ol' saying "dirt don't hurt cuz God made dirt." I would have stayed all week if I could, maybe it was the smell of the campfire, maybe it was the clear sky filled with stars, or the fact that I love Joe's breakfasts or maybe it was because I didn't want to leave Jed... I am sure it was a combination of all of the above and I would have loved to stay in that moment for the rest of my life, or until Winter :)

I rode to the Buffalo with Megan & Joe, 2 of the bests friends a girl could ever ask for. I remember a few months ago when Meg first brought up the canoe trip and it wasn't a "do you want to go" it was more of "you are going." Thank you Megan for opening my eyes to it all, I will always cherish the times we have had in Heber and other random places in Arkansas. Friday night was an easy night but it did rain but thanks to the manly men we were with, they put up a tarp and protected us from the rain. Then it cleared out and we were back in front of the campfire enjoying everything.

Saturday was the big trip. I was a little apprehensive because Joe told me that the canoe is somewhat unstable and and I needed to make small and slow movements, I quickly learned it was not that bad but was grateful that he prepped me for it. Jed was responsible for me, whether he liked it or not, and he did an amazing job at explaining how to use my oar to maneuver the canoe. I think we made a pretty good team and only came close to tipping once and that was because we were trying to win the race. I have to admit Jed did most of the rowing and I helped some but it was because of him that we did so well. Thank you Jed! I really enjoyed getting to spend so much time with him and can't wait to do more of that in the future.

I think I caught on pretty quick and as a bonus got a good upper body workout! There was about 10 canoes & 1 kayak with our group. We floated for 10 miles and got to see some of the most amazing landscape. I think we left shore at 10 a.m. and rolled in about 6 p.m., obviously we stopped many times to snack, have lunch and just soak up some sun. I have decided that I need to find a job where I get paid for floating and drinking beer!

After getting back from floating the rest of the weekend went by in a blink of an eye. I can't believe it was nearly over. For the rest of the night we sat infront of the camp fire and talked, ate & drank.

The sun came up way to early Sunday morning and the next thing I knew I was helping Jed take down the tent and we were packed up ready to head back to Memphis. The last picture on here is to show that I did survive and I still have a smile on my face. It was an amazing weekend that I will always remember as being my first weekend to camp, first weekend to really eat from a campfire, first weekend to sleep on a deflated air mattress and first weekend not wanting to return to the comforts of home, shocking I know but I will admit my shower when I got home was amazing.