Mongoose Mayhem

After relaxing and having fun at the cabin, we headed into town and started exploring.  We found there was a whole network of paths, paved walkways, etc behind the main strip.  We found a small natural spring at the top of a hill that was too hot to touch.  Then we started hiking around the hillside and eventually found a waterfall that ended in a very pretty pool on ground level.  Thanks to the very pleasant temps in the 70's you can see the steam coming up from spring.

Hot Springs National Park is a source of thermal waters that work their way up through the earth, providing 4000 year old drinkable H20.

This water is intended for public use so throughout the downtown area there are stations where people can bring jugs and fill them up.  We used this location to clean up Mike after he wiped out while running along the top of  a wall.  Nothing like hot, clean water at the ready!

Notice how concerned Dad seems to be as his terrified son swims into his arms?






Jimmy is a little miffed that no one else seemed to be very worried about his near-death experience. 


You'll be happy to hear that Jimmy's a pretty good sport and has giggled about it a few times since that afternoon.  At least it wasn't Jaws.

Hey, what are those weird bubbles coming up from under the water, Dad?






What????? OMG!!!!!!!!!  I'm trapped here standing right next to it.  Will it eat me?  What should I do?
OMG!!







I'm going to walk VERY slowly over to Dad because the prehistoric monster is between me and the edge of the lake. 


Quick, Dad!  Save me!!

The boys headed out on another paddleboat excursion but eventually became a bit tired with paddling and took a rest.  But anytime there is a moment of quiet, one starts thinking of how to annoy the other one.

I noticed them begin a game of trying to push each other into the lake and started snapping pictures.  Part of me hope that I'd get some really good pictures of one going overboard.  The other part of me knew that the wet kid would be very upset and potentially drag the other one in the lake.  Then Jim or I would probably have to make our way there in the canoe to set things straight, especially if they couldn't manage to get back in the paddleboat.

Luckily the mounting aggression stopped when they noticed a spider on the Mike's floorboard.  Spiders are not popular with Jimmy and Mike.  That forced them into becoming a team again, to rid them of the evil spider.

Libby did a bit of swimming herself.  She was so excited to see Indy having lots of fun that she joined in, at first.  After a few times in and out she decided that it wasn't  that nice begin all wet. That was too much like getting a bath...

The cabin is on Lake Catherine so they provide a paddle boat that the boys immediately headed out on.  Notice who is safety conscious and who is not...

Here's one of the first photos I took after we arrived at our lake cabin on Sunday evening.  It was so peaceful!

Well, I have no idea why but Blogger wouldn't let me put any text on the football post.  At first it let me but it was blue with an underline.  There isn't an underline feature, so no idea where that was from.  I posted and thought I could edit - Nope.  So, here's the commentary for the previous images :)

Jimmy was named Captain of the Week by his coaches.  They told the team that he was the most improved player and he was one of the best listeners.  Unfortunately, he didn't get to play much during that  Saturday's game because he was knocked back onto this tailbone.  That is the pic where he is bent over.  He spent much of the game in that position on the sideline. 

Jim even got in the mix a bit by having to fill in for the marker guys!

Jimmy had outgrown his other bike last year and we'd been to busy to get around to investing in a new one.

But our outdoor themed vacation required it.  He was very excited to get this flashy red "Specialized" off road, complete with a lighter aluminum frame and front shocks.

He also got some cool grip gloves to protect his palms in the case of wipe outs.

The family headed to Hot Springs, AR for some fun and relaxation.  I'll being posting photos this weekend!