Happy Independence Day!

July 4 – Happy Independence Day America!  Land of the Free and Home of the Brave!

It was a bit dreary this morning AGAIN, but we left just after 9 for Mountain View to visit the

Ozark Folk Center State Park.  We took our jackets but didn’t have any rain, but boy, was it foggy along the way.  I didn’t think Bill had the lights on it was so bad!  It was only clear down in a valley and up on top it looked like light misting of snow. 

Before the herb booth along the
walkway

We arrived safely. They opened at 10 and we were just about 15 after.  There was only a handful of cars in the lot so we got right in and took the shuttle up the hill to the beginning and end of the loop.  They drop you at the entrance of a gift shop that sells handmade items that are made by the various craftsmen throughout the park in addition to other items.  Once you exit the shop through the back you begin a winding walkway with 18 small buildings where 18 different crafts of done.  There is spinning and

How a broom is made

weaving, quilting, pottery, blacksmith, dolls, herbs, candles, gun shop and lots more.  We visited every shop and many were giving demonstrations so we observed.  We picked up a couple of gift items and things for us.  There were no crowds so we gently made our way in and around all of the shops and almost at the end we stopped to hear the Bluegrass music group of the day.  It was a 10-11 year old girl, Mary Parker

Beautiful colorful brooms

and 3 other young people, who did a very nice job.    We finished about 1 and chose to skip the 2 eateries in the park and go back to PJ’s Rainbow Diner in town.  We’ve eaten there twice but today it was crowded as what the entire square.  Parking was minimal and we figured a parade must be getting ready to start, so we just pulled in down the road at Sonics.  I don’t think I’ve made it public record how many Sonic locations we have seen in Arkansas:  a whole lot!  Any town of any size has a Sonic, nothing like Florida.

After a couple of stops at roadside stands on the way home where we bought a cantaloupe and some home grown tomatoes, we got back in plenty of time to get my baked beans in the oven, get showers and dressed for the 5:00 dinner with the other volunteers.  The meal was great!  One of the volunteers provided filets for everyone and mine was cooked to perfection.  Fairly red inside and so very tender.  No need for steak sauce either.  The rest of the meal was regular cookout-4^th of July fare.  We did get to bring home some leftover watermelon!  The entire group was very welcoming and asking if we were coming back next summer.  We visited with several of the group so it was really a nice event.

We had to be at work at 8 and most of the evening was busy until the fireworks started at 9:30.  We had so many phone calls and parking requests and questions about where to see the fireworks the best.  Like we actually know!  Once they started I went out and got a few photos and then we turned off the lights in the gatehouse and we could see the display easily.  It lasted about 20 minutes and the cars took an hour to get out.  They were in 2 sections and were letting them out some from each side gradually. 

I read for a while when we got home and Bill did also but as usual went to bed first.