Need to Write

I just need to write.  I don't know about what; just feel the need to get some words out.

Last Friday through Sunday, I went with Lena and Luna to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.  The park was beautiful and fascinating and marvelously captivating.  The first night we got there, the Gulpha Gorge campground had a sign up, prominently near the entrance, which read, "NO VACANCY."

Not to be easily deterred, the three of us did a small bit of exploring and picture-taking around the campground and then spent that night in the happy comfort and realistic two-star elegance of a Red Roof Inn around the bend.

The next day, we went back to the campsite right before check-out time and claimed a recently-vacated site.  We camped on the edge of the campground, near the water.

Sound from the nearby, moderately-rushing water rose continually.  The sky was almost all clear blue and the daytime temperature was just right.

As we hiked, we crossed rushing streams on paths formed of huge, flat rocks sometimes an inch or two below the water's surface.  The trails boasted steep inclines, the occasional flight of stairs in the rock surface.  Flat areas were sparse.  Once or twice, we came across places where water maybe an inch or two deep crossed the path, flowing over and around small, flat stones.

Hot Springs National Park was the most beautiful place I have been so far in my life.

That Saturday night, however, was the coldest outdoor night I have ever experienced.  EVER.  Lena and I were on an air mattress in a tent built to fit in the bed of my truck.  Skipping lots of details and unnecessary description... we packed up and tore outta there around 2:30 in the morning.

Nevertheless, the trip was amazing.  Lena and I agree, except for the freezing cold night, the trip was one of our best ever.

We are already planning our next National Park adventure - to Cumberland Island National Seashore.  Cumberland is an island 18 miles long and 3 miles wide off the coast of Georgia.  I am researching a lot because I like to know, ahead of time, about places I'm going.  I like to know about what there is to see and do, as well as to have an appreciation for the history of the place.

I'm getting too sleepy to keep writing much longer.  One of my doctors has me on Seroquel for sleep and it works like magic.  Hence, one of my favorite hobbies now has become sleeping since getting to sleep is now quite easy.

Thanks for letting me get some words out of my system and share a little of what's been going on.  Nite, all!

Hippie and Leroy and Anna Pigeon

It's 11:32 pm. I am lying in bed on my back. I have one cat to my left with his butt kind of wedged up into my armpit... and the other on my right, beside my ribcage, diligently grooming himself.

On the floor at the foot of the bed is my dog, snoring softly.

To my right, past the grooming feline, is my sweet Lena.  Snoring softly. LOL

I am just feeling happy. Today was a good, good day. Got some stuff done, got some relaxing in and did most of it in close proximity to my sweetheart. 

Very good day.

I started back to work this past week. In all, it was a great first week back. I also found out I will be going back to D.C. in May for a second week of training. I hope the weather is nice so I can get out and explore some in my free time. I love, love Washington D.C.!

Then I might be sent to Indianapolis in June or, more likely, to New York later in the year. Like, NEW YORK, New York.  Like Manhattan, Broadway, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty New York.

Like Sergeant Olivia Benson New York. Tee hee hee

Or I could eyeball the outside of the Indy Motor Speedway... I'm crossing my fingers for New York! Added bonus, Lena can come too. My employer has no problem with her accompanying me and being in the hotel with me; she just has to pay for her own airfare and food.

I am also very happy that my bff from college just started a fantastic new blog!  It's eliromeoandhannah.blogspot.com or JUST CLICK HERE!  Read it, follow it, and tell people about this great new window into the life, mind and heart of a talented, intelligent and interesting woman!

I believe I'm going to read some Anna Pigeon before 

I fall asleep. Currently, in the novel Hunting Season, Anna is serving as chief ranger on the Natchez Trace in Mississippi... investigating a murder at the Mt. Locust Inn as well as other hinky goings-on. She is brave and has just enough attitude to be awesome. Anna Pigeon is my superhero and, though these stories are 100% fiction written by the witty wordcrafter Nevada Barr, I have in mind to visit as many as I can of the real-life National Park settings where these fascinating mysteries are set.

*switching gears from writing to reading*

Nite all!

xo,
Nicole