Missouri Star Girls Trip 2 - Day 1 and 2

 The whirlwind is continuing!!!  We left retreat yesterday and are on our way to another one this morning.  Can you believe it?  We are off to Missouri Star for a Doan Girls Retreat and all the fun that comes with that as well as our journey there and back.  Jen is driving again this year and the three of us are super excited to see what the week will bring.  The packing is done, the car is ready and it's time to hit the road.  Come along with us on our journey and see all the wonders we see, BUT know that some things just don't make it to the blog.  We gotta have some secrets, ya know?

Forty minutes later, we've stopped in McKinney to pick up our fourth passenger - Lori.  Our car is now complete and we are ready to put some miles on.  I've asked everyone to give me stop ideas and so we'll see where the road takes us this time instead of me plotting out the whole itinerary.  I'm sure they have some great spots all picked out.

The first hmmmm is at a stop light where I notice that Chick Fil A has a bull out front.  I know about the cows thing, but this is the first time I've seen a bull. (yeah, I know it's blurry)

By the time we get to Eufala, OK, our tummies are grumbly.  It's time for food and what food is better than bacon?

This is just a fun stop, for sure.

Even the bench is supposed to resemble bacon.  Do you see it?

Not sure I like Scissors totally losing, but I get the bacon thing.

Great Signage - 

We had hoped to meet up with Gwen and Frieda in Eufala, but it was not mean to be.  We've found a spot to go and check out, so good-bye to the interstate and hello to country roads.

At this point, Sherri spots a creek that she wants to check out.  Alrighty then -- about face.

And away she goes.

It IS so pretty --- from a distance, it looks dirty, but it's crystal clear and those are the rocks in the creek bed that you see through the water.

Well, we tried, lol.  A bit of sun.

Trying to discover a way down to the water.

See how clear?

Still trying.

It's just PRETTY!

Creek break over.

Well --- thatta way is Arkansas, but we're turning left.

And THAT means that Oklahoma is on the left and Arkansas is on the right - LITERALLY!!

Our destination is OKARMO Corner - where three states come together.  TA-DA

As you walk around the marker, you are in each state.  Sherri is taking a video of the journey through the states when she missteps and goes down, but never stops the video.  I don't have a copy, but . . . it's pretty good and you can see Jen is just laughing while she keeps going.

Sadly, though, there is an injury so I run over to the little store across the street and locate some bandages to try and put her back together again.  It's amazing to me that there is a store across the street and it also sold LOTS of liquor.  Interesting.  She's fixed up and we are ready to roll again.  See ya another time - wherever we are.

And just like that, I find out where we are.  Southwest City, apparently.

Lori spots a sign that mentions a cave up ahead - well, kinda.  Not really, but it's close so we take the detour, which turns out to be VERY pretty and head that direction.

When we arrive at the cave, we discover that there is a tour about to start and quickly park.  Here is the 

Bluff Dwellers Cave LINK so you can see how FABULOUS this place is.  And the proof we are here.

Inside proof too --- please take a peek at the link.  Or better yet, go there.

The view from the outside of the cave - looking towards the valley.  So pretty.

Now, we have to push to get to Joplin since Frieda and Gwen are already there and can't get into our hotel.  We're not too far away and make the trek in no time.  As soon as we have rooms, it's dinner for us.

Sherri has (unbeknownst to me) stolen my wallet and built herself a safe place for it.  I'm pretty sure it's time to feed the animals.

LOVE that our group has grown and will be together for tomorrow's leg of the journey.

By the way ---- this was YUM.

As was this.

We get back to the hotel with some time to kill and Jen finds a game to share.  We discover that we may or may not be Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.  It's a great time and a fun way to end the day.

Bedtime preparations are taking place - and some relaxing as well.

And with that Day 1 is done and tomorrow will find more fun, I'm sure.

Day 2 - How on earth did I make such a mess in such a short time?  I'm the only one who has to basically repack.  Argh.  Breakfast is at the hotel and then we are on our way again.

The first stop is right in Joplin - Grand Falls.  I want to check it out and it is worth some walking to have a little fun.

Some fun shots - 

What is Jen up to?  And Sherri as well?

Photography all around.

Friends all over the place.

Ahhhh, Jen has found a spot to sit.

Perfect picture.

Lori looks like she is waiting for something.

And Sherri is on the move.

Could this be trouble?  At this point, I've joined Jen and this is my view.

And this - 

And - Sherri's view

Time to start the rock walking back to the car.  I've managed to destroy my white shorts and that's just wonderful as they are brand new.  Look back - she'll be awhile.

I do a skort change (with much picture taking by Gwen) and we are driving once again.  In Joplin, there is a Route 66 Mural Park I want to check out.  Well, this is the park.  Hmmmm.

Along with this cheesy lower section.  

Which Lori takes advantage of for a photo op.  Love it.

We actually manage to drive for 30 minutes before stopping again.  THIS is why we plan extra days into our journeys.  This time, we've found a quilt shop that is open on Monday.  Woohoo.  Here is the Quilter's Corner Station LINK so that you can share our fun.  Where are we?  Carthage, MO.

We seem to be traveling in half hour increments today.  Another quilt shop has popped up and here is the Blue Top Quilt Shop LINK for a peek into this shop.

At this point we are hunting for lunch.  I have really bad deja vu going on with this enterprise and am instantly taken back to Kentucky last spring.  The first place we stop isn't open, and THIS is the second spot.

Around the corner it DOES have a restaurant, but they are not open today either - due to staffing issues.  Hmmmm.

We find Gray's Cafe down the road a bit further and finally are able to get food, but must hurry as they are closing soon.  Goodness.  However, the food is good and we are satiated enough to continue on our way.

Arriving in Hamilton and all the chaos that surrounds checking into a Doan Girls Retreat leaves us a bit frazzled.  However, some of us are in the retreat center downtown this year and since I haven't been here before - a few pictures for you.  Gwen, Sam, Frieda, Jen, and I are in this room.

The upstairs hallway.

Leading to the bathrooms - and just some decor.

Downstairs kitchen - 

Sitting area - 

and the workspace.  It's REALLY nice here.

The side of the retreat center.

All that is left for today is dinner --- Mexican it is.  Somehow we ALL manage to be there for dinner and yet, we didn't get a picture.  Sam and Terry have joined our merry band and the group is complete.  That's it for this post --- see ya tomorrow.