Enjoying a Day Outside of the "ROOM"

Today was the last Sunday that we will be spending in the hotel room that we have been in for the last six weeks. It sounded like such a great plan, and it was the BEST thing for us....but the last couple of weeks have been closing in on us. Since Steve is used to "piddling" around in the garage or the yard, he has been stir crazy not having anything to do or to "fix." As for me, I have actually missed having my regular kitchen to cook in. Yes, you heard it here first people. I miss cooking.

It has seemed that, even though we planned ahead for what we thought we would need, there were still things that we ended up not having. Like warmer clothes for the unusually wet and cool weather we've been having. Where are my black boots???

One of the funniest things about our stay has been keeping the pets alive, Zoie and Koko. Zoie has faired better than Koko. But I think cats are just lower maintenance than dogs in general. She has windows she can get into and watch the outdoors everyday. She has her food and water and has full reign of the room at night. We had stopped letting her in where we sleep months ago when my allergies got really bad. The other morning Steve was actually down at the breakfast that is served near the lobby when he overheard some men discussing the "dog" that is down at the end of the hall that barks or growls every time they walk by. It was really funny to be sitting there while men at the next table are discussing your irritating pet. Koko has barked incessantly at EVERYONE that goes past the door. And won't stop with just a little bark or two. It has become so annoying that I started trying to shoo her away with a rolled up newspaper...but that only led to her growling at me and showing her teeth like she was going to EAT ME ALIVE!

So, we went to a NEW plan. We brought out the baby gate that we had at home and have her gated in the dressing room/bathroom area. It's such a funny thing because it has actually calmed her down so much! She is a different dog tonight. I think she missed her little "gated" area from the house and being told to "go to your room" which was actually the guest bathroom. She's not such a dummy or psycho killer dog after all.

Today we decided to get out of the room and go hiking to take a better look at the fall foliage and get some good photos. We had lots of fun. I was so amazed by Lake Fort Smith and how gorgeous it is now. We continued our drive up old hi-way 71 and crossed over to Devils Den State Park. It was funny tonight that I found out that Mary Beth and Jon were there with their dogs at about the same time and we never saw them!

Tonight, over dinner, we talked over the PLAN for the week: what utilities need to be called, what the sequence will be for the MOVE on Friday and what furniture we plan to put where. Frankly, I feel like its Christmas and I'm five years old.

Lake Fort Smith photos:

Devil's Den State Park:

We always joke about enjoying the "flora and the fauna"....

I love fern growing in the woods.

Looks like it is ready to flip and send that other tree flying.

The dark clouds on the drive home this afternoon.