Damp Fools!

Friday, September 18th, was our 10th wedding anniversary! We had made plans months ago to visit a quaint little town in Arkansas called Eureka Springs. We had heard from many of our friends that it was a really neat little place to visit. Beautiful country, interesting Victorian architecture, and tons of little shops to browse. We decided that, afer waiting so long for her, we didn't want to take this trip without Mandy Rose.

So, the weekend finally arrived and off we went on yet another great Wenzl family vacation! Insert sarcasm! Just like our trip to the Amana Colonies in May, there was just a spot of precipitation that dampened our activities and moods! In other words, it rained buckets!! We still attempted to enjoy the community, but trying to shop with a 3 year old holding on to one hand, bags in another hand, umbrella in yet another hand (wait....do momma's have more than 2 hands?) Eureka Springs is more diagonal than horizontal, so the sidewalks and streets quickly became slick, limestone bedded brooks! Trying to keep Mandy Rose from slipping and falling (unsuccessfully, I might add) was quite a challenge when you add in my propensity for taking tumbles on flat, dry land! We gave up and headed back to the hotel for lunch and naptime. Momma was losing all patience and feeling sad about how this special trip was turning out. And, Daddy was actually still battling a bad cold and did not feel very well.

After nap, we hit some of the outlying shops and had a bit more fun. We also asked a local shop owner for a recommendation of where to eat that evening. We said that barbeque sounded good. She directed us to a place called "The Rockin' Pig Saloon". We had driven by it earlier in the day and remarked about all the motorcyles parked out front! The shop owner was correct! It was excellent food! We did feel a tad out of place though. We were the only ones not wearing leather and "doo rags". And, although, we have our wrist tattoos, I am sure the patrons would have scoffed at our "ink"! The next day was still rainy, although not as heavy. We had plotted some geocaching spots, so we decided to do that before heading home. As we left the hotel, I realized I did not have my glasses. Back to the hotel we went. We tore that place apart 3 times, looked through each piece of luggage, even sorted through each individual piece of in the trash cans! No glasses! We went back to the last places we had been the evening before....no glasses! By this time, I was in tears and feeling very defeated! We spent a few hours geocaching. We had some fun, but it was very slippery, muddy work! We couldn't really get that filthy and then have to drive 5 hours home for a shower. We finally called it a day and headed home. A few things were finally learned on this trip! First, shopping oriented vacations and 3 year olds do not mix! Second, for one's anniversary, it is very acceptable to leave the kiddo at home with friends. Everyone deserves some time off! Finally, I have to learn to relax. I need to emulate my daughter who, despite the weather and lost glasses, had an awesome time! Not every vacation is going to be a wonderful success! I got to spend time with the people I love most in the world. Doing that anywhere and in any kind of weather is wonderful on its own merits! BTW, the glasses were found in our dirty clothes bag when we got home! Thank God!!