Day 12 - Branson, Missouri

We`ve had a relaxing time in Arkansas, visiting family, swimming in the hotel pool, shopping, and staying cool in the hotel room. Today we skyped with Megan for her birthday. Happy 11th Birthday Megan!! Then we took Grandma Casey to Branson, Missouri for lunch. We went to The American Steak & Chicken House...the large rooster in front drew our attention to the place. The restaurant had a lot of home cooking. Papa & Grandma got a catfish plate, I had mac n cheese, mash potatoes, corn & fried okra, and Nana had the salad bar. They also served us homemade cornbread...delicious! After lunch, Nana & I decided to be daredevils and go ride some Segways. Our hotel had some coupons for the Branson Segway & Adventure Park so we decided to try it. Grandma & Papa did not want to join in on the fun so Papa took pictures then they sat and watched us. First we had to sign wavers then we had to go through a small training course. The course made me feel a little nervous because the instructor kept telling us what could happen and there was a slight hill involved. We actually picked it up quickly and we started on the Segway Path. Of course, Nana drove like the race car driver, Mario Andretti and I drove like a grandma on a Sunday drive. Afterwards we got to sign the wall, showing we learned how to ride a Segway and we completed our ride without crashing. Fun day!!
 

Day 11 - Harrison, Arkansas

On our way to visit our relatives in Harrison, Arkansas, we stopped to have lunch at the Cliff House Inn, restaurant & gift shop on Scenic Highway 7. It is a cute place with a great view of the countryside. We chose to eat inside because the temperatures here are reaching to the high 90`s and 100`s. We are melting!! The restaurant had yummy food...Nana & I got veggie burgers with fries. Next, we stopped by and visited Papa`s brother (Sandy) and Teresa in Jasper, Arkansas then headed to Harrison. Papa is going to spend the rest of the afternoon driving around with his brother (Donny) and visiting other relatives. Nana & I are going shopping then swimming in the hotel pool. Tonight we are staying in Harrison, Arkansas.

Day 10 - Hector, Arkansas

Today we are visiting with Papa`s brother (Eddie) and Wava. They just bought a new home in Hector, Arkansas. Papa had fun riding down to the Illinois Bayou, a campground in the Arkansas outback near Russellville, Arkansas and picking a watermelon at the neighbor`s farm. This watermelon is suppose to be a twenty pounder...delicious!!

Day 9 - Forrest City, Arkansas

Today our hotel had pancakes on a conveyor belt...how cool is that!! I want one of these machines at home. We visited Sheryll and her family in Watertown, Tennessee. They have lots of animals...giant goldfish in their backyard pond, bobcats, and hermit crabs. We actually held the crabs and it was weird to feel them walk across our hands & arms. They didn't pinch us. We had lunch at the Peking restaurant in Lebanon, Tennessee with Sheryll & her son, JR. Then we went back and visited the historic district of Watertown & shopping square. I bought some Victorian Christmas tags at a cute store called The Perch. Tomorrow we are going to visited Papa`s brother, Eddie in Hector, Arkansas. We are staying the night in Forrest City, Arkansas.  

 

 

Day 8 - Crossville, Tennessee

Today we did a lot of traveling and drove in four states. We are on our way to visit our friend, Sheryll, in Watertown, Tennessee. The weather has been quite crazy...sun, rain, thunderstorms, and lightning. We have driven through Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and we are spending the night in Crossville, Tennessee.

Day 7 - Hagerstown, Maryland

 

It is Papa`s Birthday!!! Nana was feeling a little better today so she was ready to go to the Hershey World and tour Gettysburg. First we went on a tour ride at Hershey World then sampled the chocolates. We saw an Amish family visiting too. After lunch, we headed over to the Hershey Museum. We got to pretend that we were applying to be  factory workers by learning to grind the beans & roast them, push along factory carts, pounded out chocolate bars from the molds then pack the bars into boxes. Nana & I were hired in Wrapping Department and paid ten cents per pound box of Kisses wrapped. Papa was hired to work in the Roasting Department and paid fifteen cents per hour. After visiting the town of Hershey, we headed to Gettysburg, PA. We visited the National Visitor Center & Bookstore where we bought audio car tour cds so we could drive & tour the different battlefields. We were amazed by the number of statues and memorials around this area. There was so much to see and take in. There was 16 stops in all and it took us at least 2 hours to see everything. After our visit to Gettysburg, we headed south into Maryland. As we headed into Maryland, we passed the Mason Dixon Line. We are staying the night in a little cute town (Hagerstown, Maryland) off the main highway (I-81 S).   

Day 6 - Harrisburg, PA

 

We visited the PA capitol today. The downtown area was amazing with lots of old buildings and churches. The capitol was even more spectacular and the artwork was magnificent. My pictures do not do it justice. Nana was not feeling well so after visiting the capitol of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, we went back to our hotel in New Cumberland, PA. I went swimming in the pool then Papa and I went out for lunch.