Petit Jean State Park Visit 3/9/15

The Birthday Boy at a very foggy Petit Jean State Park,  3/9/15

George's Birthday Trip this year was to one of our favorite states,  ARKANSAS.  If you missed Part I hearing about George's birthday,  click HERE.   Today I will share with you a few pictures showing some of the things we did on his birthday,  March 9, 2015.

Before checking into our cabin at Mt. Nebo,  we spent part of the day hiking and checking out another favorite state park,  Petit Jean State Park.  (If you want more information about Petit Jean,  click HERE.)

Fog at Petit Jean State Park

I love fog --and taking fog photos.  Do you?  I like this one since that sign in the middle looks like it could be a cross.... God is with us --even during foggy conditions.

George enjoyed taking pictures in the fog also.

I have always loved the rock formations at this state park.... Moss and lichen grow all around and over the rocks.   Some call them "Carpet Rocks".   Neat---even in the fog!

My Creative Shot of a NEAT Tree..... You like???????   Trees with odd shapes can tell us a story,  can't they???  He may not feel beautiful but he IS!!!!

We visited Rock House Cave (really a shelter) --and even though we couldn't find them,  there are supposed to be pictographs in that cave... Beautiful colors in there though;

And ---to get to the Rock House Cave,  we hiked through/on TURTLE ROCKS... Don't they look like huge turtle shells?????  YES--they DO!!!!! ha

We always like to do different things when we visit areas.  This time we checked out a lake we had not visited before,  Lake Bailey.   We also had our lunch while in that area.  Guess who swam over to see us when we were there????  Isn't this Canada Goose gorgeous??? 

Cedar Falls  (from the upper overlook)

We didn't have time to hike down to Cedar Falls this year (hope to do it next year).  When hiking to the bottom of the canyon to view the bottom part of Cedar Falls,  we know that it  is a MILE down and then a MILE back up (VERY STEEP).   But---it's worth it!!!!! This year,  we did hike down to the Upper Overlook to get some pictures... After all of the rain,  the waterfall was really flowing this year. 

A great view of the canyon  (Cedar Creek Canyon) from a new overlook (to us)

A man started talking to us when we were at the Overlook --and he told us about another overlook we should check out.  Of course,  we DID.... We hiked down to this new overlook --where we got a great view of the waterfall AND the canyon. 

The best part is that we could see the Upper Cedar Falls from here ---and we've never seen it before.  SO exciting....  This is a great overlook --and we enjoyed seeing ALL of Cedar Falls..

Us at the Petit Jean State Park Sign  3/9/15

WELL----it was time to leave Petit Jean and drive to Mt. Nebo (where we checked into our cabin for the week).  BUT--since we hadn't taken any pictures of us together at Petit Jean,  we stopped at the sign as we were leaving.

Even though we had some fog and drizzle part of the day,  we enjoyed our day at Petit Jean... We especially enjoyed visiting that new overlook --which I'm sure we will visit again when we are in the area.

After checking into our cabin at Mt. Nebo,  the birthday celebration began.  We went out to dinner for some steaks..  Later, back at the cabin,  George opened his cards and gifts --and then enjoyed some birthday cake (his choice---Carrot Cake).   It was a great day --and I think (hope) that George enjoyed it as much as I did!

Check out my Photo Blog for two great pictures taken at Biltmore on 3/23/15.   Click HERE.  AND---don't forget to  check out my new quotes on the Sidebar.

HAPPY EASTER to ALL.  Alleluia:  HE LIVES!!!!!

Hugs,

Emoticons

Lots and Lots of DAFFODILS in our Yard

1. The First Daffodils we ever planted... George's Daddy gave us these little guys so we've always called them the Dad Adams Daffodils.  They are very special to us.

Well---March is almost over.   Hard to believe that time is flying by!!!!!  The good news for us is that,  after a frigid weekend (with FREEZE WARNINGS and temperatures dipping down into the low 20's) both Friday and Saturday nights,  our yard seemed to make it through the freeze without much damage.  The worst hit were our Hyacinths --but the Daffodils and Pansies seem to be okay.  We covered some of our new growth (including roses)  --so hopefully,  all of them will be fine... AND--we are hoping that this will be the last of our killer freezes this Spring.

Today I want to show you all of the many different types and colors of DAFFODILS we have in our yard.  I grew up calling them JONQUILS  (my mother called them that),  but I've also heard others call them BUTTERCUPS... Whatever you call them,  they are so pretty.  Many states plant them along the interstate highways --and they will spread and are so gorgeous...

When I ask most people their favorite Daffodil,  most will say the 'normal' total yellow ones... I agree---but there are also some other beauties.  SO---today,  look at all of these and see if you can pick a favorite (other than the 'normal' ones)....  I have two favorites which are both exquisite.  One is the white one with a red trumpet (No. 13) --and the other is the total white one (No. 14).  BUT---some of the ruffly/frilly ones are neat also...

NOTE:  We used to know all of the specific 'names' of our daffodils --but the last couple of years,  we have added more and bought them in collections.  With a collection,  one never knows what he/she is getting... SO---we decided just to enjoy them and not worry about their names.   Sit back,  get a cup of coffee or hot tea and enjoy our Daffodils!!!! Most all of these were taken around 3/26/15.  (Click on them for enlargements.)

2. Yellow Petals/Yellow Frilly Trumpet  

3. Yellow/Yellow Daffodil with the Pointed Petals

4. Some smaller Quail Daffodils we got a year ago;  They will bloom and bloom!

5. Another yellow Daffodil --but with an orange trumpet

6. A beautiful Daffodil (love the 'frilly' orange and yellow trumpet)... This one turns more and more YELLOW as it ages, and ends up being totally yellow.

7.  Now to more of the ones with White Petals:  White Petals with a bright orange trumpet;  Another gorgeous Daffodil!

8.   This one has a neat frilly yellow/orange trumpet which spreads out through the entire Daffodil.   (Picture taken by George)

9.  And if you like more of a pastel look,  this one has white petals and a soft and frilly apricot-colored trumpet.

10.  Here's a group showing off their white petals and pale yellow, long trumpets.

11.  Here's another one with white petals and a yellow trumpet.  BUT--unlike the one above, the trumpet on these is opened and flatter.  See the differences?

12.  Here's a very interesting Daffodil with the white petals growing all around the orange/yellow trumpet.... 

13.  White petals/Red bordered trumpet  (Definitely a favorite of mine!)

14.  Love this one too;  It is a solid white --although the sun causes the trumpet to look like a very pale yellow... What a gorgeous Daffodil!!!!

Well---you get the idea!!!!  There are MANY different Daffodils --just like there are when talking about most flowers... Some of them are similar --but if you look at them closely,  there are usually distinct differences.

We have more Daffodils to bloom in our yard ---so depending upon what they are,  I may have some new ones to show later... Hope you enjoyed seeing this group today.  Now it's your turn.  PICK a FAVORITE.. I even numbered them for you --so that you could choose easily!!!!!!  Let's see which one comes out the winner today!!!!!

Have a blessed HOLY WEEK---leading up to EASTER this coming Sunday!  Enjoy SPRING and the beautiful flowers.  Thanks be to God.

Hugs,

Emoticons