April: Getaway to Broken Bow

The way that this trip came about is not what is really important just that it happened. 

Peter and I had not been away for three years and it was time for a little getaway. Peter found a great deal on flights from Salt Lake and so my parents flew down and watched our kids for a few days while we went to Broken Bow, Oklahoma. It was beautiful! 

 We had so much fun ziplining! 

 The zipline company has you sign your name to their bus, so don't worry this was authorized vandalism. 

 We had a great night of sleep and then after then went for a bit of hiking in the morning. 

There were storms forecast for that afternoon and evening so we wanted to get some outdoor time in before that hit. 

 The scenery was breathtaking but the company was the best part! 

 There was a visitor's center that had a history display about the logging industry in the area and it was really neat to read about. I was particularly touched by this note about women: "The contribution women made to camp life was vital - though it was hard. The women began their day at 4:00 am and spent the day washing, ironing, cleaning, tending a garden, cooking, sewing, taking care of infants, pre-school children and livestock. All the work was done by hand and from scratch.  However, looking back, many women viewed those times as some of their happiest days."

I was reminded of a story my dad told me of his mom when they lived at the road construction camp one summer. She ended up being the cook for the camp and baked bread and all of the meals for a whole camp full of men and cared for her own children. I don't know if that was the happiest time of her life but I know my dad thinks of it with fondness. 

 There was also a display of pieces that had been entered into a wood working competition. This amazing portrait is made from little discs of different colored wood. 

 We ate some delicious pizza at the Grateful Head Pizza place and while there, it began to rain. And it rained the rest of the afternoon and evening. We watched some movies and enjoyed the hot tub at our cabin. 

We could not resist stopping at the Eiffel tower in Paris, TX for a photo. It was a really windy day. 

I am so thankful for the few days we had to get away, they were much needed.