Take Me Back Tuesday | Return to the Ozarks

For three years of my life and 7 summers, I have lived in the beautiful Ozark hills of Missouri. I didn’t appreciate them until I moved to Dallas where, well, we are lacking in rolling hills. I love those hills more than I realized and in so many ways, they are more home to me than anything else. It was because of this that my plans started to develop. I had one ‘weekend’ off in a span of about 4 months so as I was looking at my calendar, I had an idea. How fun would it be to take my Dallas friends to spend a few days in those rolling hills where we could explore God’s beautiful creation and get away from the big city?!?! SO wonderful, I thought. I began to pass the word around and started to gather interest. Miraculously, it came together at the last-minute and so 11 of us headed out over Memorial Day weekend.

What a blast we had! Our cabin was beautiful and tucked away in the middle of nowheresville Arkansas. If you have never been to Nowheresville….I highly recommend it! The view was unbelievable, the countryside glowing, the sounds were a soft murmur of natural things and the company was sweet. For two days we hiked the countryside, climbed up river beds, caved on our hands and knees, played yard games, ate good food beneath the night sky, laughed and just enjoyed each other’s company. My kind of weekend. It was just simply wonderful and exactly what the Dr. ordered. While I enjoy my life here in Dallas, those rolling and quiet hills will always be home to me.

So, in the name of Nowheresville, rolling hills, outdoor adventures and good fellowship,

I Say, Take Me Back!

(I made myself leave the Canon 5D Mark III at home so that I could enjoy the trails without worrying. Instead I brought along my trusty ole 50D so excuse the quality. I’m pretty sure the camera got wet in my bag while we were caving so it was a good decision. Plus, I decided it was important to have a few days ‘off’ so I didn’t even take that many. Crazy, right?)

The view from our back porch. Oh how I miss these kinds of views…

Hiking crew!!! This was right before we did a 5 mile hike. 2.5 miles straight down to a waterfall…which meant 2.5 miles straight back up. Killer but worth it. 

Favorite photo of the weekend. We are like SO hard core.

I’m pretty much a hiking beast, Internet. Pretty much. I mean…I even wore Chacos. 

Not sure what is going on here but I’m guessing they are giving each other support. So sweet. 

At night, we would come back and just sit out on the back porch and play games, talk about life and laugh…we laughed a lot. 

Chelsea, playing this game with you was QUITE entertaining! 

I’ll close with this one because I love it. Just a group of friends, out in God’s creation, enjoying a quiet evening of fun and fellowship under the night sky.