The Middle of NOWHERE!!!!!!!

Let me start by telling you how we got on the path to diamond digging...It started about 2 years ago, when Blake found out that Murfreesboro, Arkansas was the only place in the US where you could dig for diamonds and keep what you found. So, we figured, what better time to venture into the middle of no-where-land, but during our transfer from Florida to South Carolina. So, the adventure began. Let me tell you something else...there is NOTHING AT ALL IN ARKANSAS! Nothing! Land, empty land, and more land. So, we drove, and drove and drove some more. We get to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and had to stop at a Walmart to buy a pack n play. We ever so smartly packed that we forgot Holden's bed. NICE! The last Walmart before we left "civilization" was in Arkadelphia. (Correction, we left civilization way back, but I digress.) We asked the boy at the register where the closest sit down restaurant was, and basically the ONLY restaurant was the Western Sizzler located with Walmart. Yep...the Sizzler! YIKES!

We had to get off the interstate at this point to get to Murfreesboro, Arkansas. It was another 37 miles. Landon, at that time, asked if those were regular miles or "country miles". That kid!

Okay, so Murfreesboro does not have chain named hotels. So, you can imagine, I was a little scared of where we may have to spend the night. One of the best recommended hotels is actually a series of teepees. Yep, you read that correctly...teepees. They do not recommend you stay there if you have allergies to any type of animals or insects. Hmmmm...I think what that means is...HOLLY, DO NOT STAY HERE! That is at least what I heard. We realize that we are on a National Lampoon's Vacation, but a girl has to draw the line somewhere!

After over 9 hours we made it to the Queen of Diamonds Inn. I prayed shortly before we arrived that I would not have to wear bug spray to bed. Thank You, Jesus! He answered my prayer. The Queen was clean! Yee Haw!

Tuesday morning we went to have the hotel breakfast and the ladies at the desk must have thought I was a wierdo, because I just kept saying how wonderful and clean the place was and it was so nice. Seriously, I was shocked! I had to give them props!

Well, the time had come...dirt digging time! We rented our bucket, shovel and screens. We walked out into the field and the digging began! Seriously...our vacation revolved around sitting in 37 acre field with 110 degree heat index, digging in the dirt. I told Blake to take a picture of his sweaty, dirty mom digging in this field, because he could put it on his wall and ALWAYS know how much I love him. I would have been on the beach in Destin, with an ice cold sweet tea, reading a book. But then again, that is not how memories are made...

No diamonds were found, but we will never forget that adventure. The ONLY other thing to do in this entire area is Ka-Do-Ha Indian Mound Village. So, we looked at the mound houses that housed duplicated skeletal remains. AWESOME! Checked out another dirt field that supposedly contained indian artifacts from 1000 years ago. However, at this point, I am done dirt digging, and so are the boys. Seeing as to how there is absolutely nothing else to do in Murfreesboro...we decided to check out a day early and head to Memphis. Graceland, here we come. Thank ya, thank ya very much!

I think my favorite thing about the entire trip so far has been the following:
Since we started having children, spontanaity has been a thing of the past. But, we spontaniously decided to change up our plans and visit the King. Look out Elvis, here we come! These boys are about to get schooled on The King. Apparently, they have already been schooled on the Big As_ Beer. When we went to dinner tonight the signs were all over the place for the before mentioned delicacy. Welcome to Memphis!