A new adventure

Welcoming Sign

We have arrived.  Where do you ask?  Why Toad Suck, Arkansas of course!  But more about that destination in a moment, for there is some unfinished business to report.

The Melissa Cardinals, 11U (the pure 11 year old teams) made their appearance in the World Series.  The first night was a team and individual competitions night to showcase throwing accuracy, hitting strength and team speed.  The Melissa participants had a great showing and came in second in two of the three competitions out of a dozen or more teams in their age bracket.

 

The next day was pool play to determine seeding in the single-elimination bracket the following day.  After two hard fought games, Melissa was seeded to play at 11 AM which all fans thought was advantageous due to the hot weather and time of day.  This game was a see-saw affair with Melissa garnering an early lead and playing a dogged defense to keep the other team from scoring for a couple of innings.  Alas, a big fourth inning for the other team caused Melissa to lose the lead and play catch up.

During the sixth inning Melissa, the visiting team, gained the lead once again.  But as with the poem, Casey at the Bat, a win this day was not to be.  For the home team with last at bat, again managed gain the lead and to score the winning run.  Thus, Melissa lost, 5 to 4.

There was great dismay and disappointment, just like in Mudville, as the Cardinals grand season ended with that one run.  But as it is in life, there are many more opportunities for this young group of men.  They have a lot of baseball ahead of them and not every day will end as this one did.  We are very proud of their accomplishments and especially proud of our grandson.  Even in defeat, life lessons are learned and will make him stronger and stronger.

Proud mama and daddy (Coach)

Not to be outdone, proud Grandfather

But now back to Toad Suck.  We have begun a new on-the-road adventure and the first stop is in Toad Suck, a Corps of Engineer park right outside of Conway, AR on the Arkansas River.  This is a unique place to say the least.  There is a lock to transfer river traffic from one side of the dam to the other on this river due to the difference in elevations.  For anyone that has never seen this operation, it is a peculiarly interesting spectacle.

However, you should not attempt this on an empty stomach.  For you see, the entire process is a lot like watching paint dry.  Very slow and almost imperceptible movement is the order of the day.  But all of a sudden the feat is accomplished and off goes the raised or lowered, (whichever is the case) river craft to its next destination as it responds to the horns blaring and moves out of the lock.  Many times we have enjoyed these small pleasures during our adventures and this case is no exception.

Most of the commercial traffic on the river is contained in huge barges.  Almost as interesting as the lock process, is the ability of the tugs that gently guide and push these barges up and around the river bends, including entering and exiting the locks along the way.  The typical setup is an array of barges, three across and four lengthwise with the tug pushing from behind.  As one of our group commented, ‘that is obviously a job that requires a lot of skill and training.’ 

Tug and barges approach the lock

Tug in lock to begin process of raising to next level

Slowly rising, rising (I think) rising

Yes, higher now, almost ready to go

...and we are off

Those are men (you cannot see) standing between red and green barges

Exiting the lock to proceed down the river

Bibi really enjoyed the river.  Her comment to me one day was, ‘I could be Huck Finn and raft the river everyday.’  I believe her and also believe she could.  She has always shown this affinity for water related activity and I think would be very at home floating along looking at all the sites.  Wait a minute, I think that is what we do in our Adventurer.  The only difference I can perceive is we are rolling along on a highway instead of floating on water.  Hmmmm?

Bibi dreaming about floating down the river

We met a very nice couple and their teenage children at the campground, Tim and Dawn.  They are from Bentonville and were in the area so their boy and girl could each compete in a triathlon event in Conway.  They shared some stories with us and provided us with some directions for local eateries along with some sage advice about fishing.  It was very encouraging to us to hear Tim say they were getting up to go to church on Sunday.  All is not lost in this country as long as there are young families that put God first.  We think Tim and Dawn are heroes and are making God proud by directing their children.

We are off tomorrow to our next destination.  We are headed to Bull Shoals State Park on the White River.  There are three couples in our caravan now.  Us, David and Sophie, Sam and Brenda are headed to the next adventure so stay in touch and we will post again soon.

What kind of pet is this?

A pet raccoon, of course!