It’s been a while since I have posted anything about our travels. This could be because all travel has seemed to revolve around school events or a home project or a work related renovation. Or maybe because the family vacation squashed the travel urge. Maybe it’s because I can get so wrapped up in life stuff, I forget to enjoy life. So when Brenna said “let’s go somewhere Friday .” I didn’t ask questions but just readily said “ yes, let’s go.”

So in wanting to just get away for a bit, I didn’t plan, worry about, or put really any thought into her idea. “Let’s go to Arkansas and camp out of the car, and go hiking and look at the leaves.” Now that sounds like a laid back, low key, go with the flow type of deal. That also sounds like three traits that don’t really fit me. Brenna’s dad once asked me “you’re not really a go with the flow kind of guy are you?” “No, I’m not. I bring a certain level of intensity to everything that I do.” But this time, I threw a backpack together and we left. I did make sure we packed the SUV air mattress that Amazon had delivered earlier that day though. “So can you be ready to go by 3:00?” She asked. “I will try. No promises.” Now, leaving at 3:00 would have allowed plenty of time to get to Arkansas, get needed supplies and set up for the evening. But we didn’t leave for Arkansas at 3:00, we left for a parade 45 mins in the opposite direction to watch a junior high cheerleader march down the street for about 45 seconds. But that cheerleader smiled real big and waved when she saw us. So when we left for Arkansas at a little after 6:00, I wasn’t bothered at all. There could be worse problems.

Now I was a little hungry as we headed out though. After the parade, Brenna felt we should now be in a rush to get on the road. I felt I should get a bierock which were being sold at the parade. Or some pizza or nachos. “Where should we eat?” I asked. “I thought maybe we could eat at that one sushi place in Bentonville?” Brenna asked. She loves sushi. And this is one of her favorite places. But it’s two hours away. And I’m starving! Two hours away and I’m really hungry. And when I get hungry I can get fussy. Like a toddler. “Absolutely. We should definitely eat there.” A little before 8:00 we pulled into her favorite sushi spot. She was happy. I didn’t starve to death or even get fussy. We got seated right away and a minute later we even got a free appetizer. It’s a pretty cool place. If you like sushi, the Sushi House in Bentonville is a good choice.

Leaving the restaurant, we headed out to our camp site which was only about 20 miles away. It was pitch black, starting to rain and the temperature was dropping. “I hope they don’t close the check in gate at 7:00.” Brenna says as she checks the website. “Well that would put a damper on our plans.” I say. I secretly think, a closed gate would mean a hotel. A warm, dry hotel. But I keep my thoughts to myself. We pass by a few stores that would have snacks and drinks, but we don’t stop in hopes to getting to our camp site quickly. Well we made it to the camp ground. The gate was open. We found campsites 1-39 fairly easily. Ours was #48. 20 minutes later we found 40,41,43,44,45, &49. 15 minutes later we found 42 46 and 47. We also found 4 dead ends, 3 fishing spots and 2 dam areas that are off limits . My frustration was building. This is why you have a plan. So you aren’t driving in circles at 10:00 at night in the rain, I thought to myself. “I bet you’re glad we aren’t pulling the camper.” Brenna says. I laugh as the tension disappears. “I sure am. We will find it eventually. This isn’t a big deal.” We find it and get set up quickly. She has even brought along an electric blanket. I don’t have any snacks but I find a Mountain Dew that’s half full. Not half empty but half full. It’s raining outside but we are warm and dry as we as I try to fit my 6’2” frame onto the 5’6” SUV air mattress. It’s pretty nice actually. There could be worse problems.

We wake up to more rain. The fog has also rolled in. “is it suppose to rain all day?” I ask. “I don’t know?” She replies “I didn’t think to check the weather.” Now who doesn’t check the weather before you go camping in October? But I didn’t say that as I headed to the bathhouse to brush my teeth.

As I am finishing up and putting my stuff back into my bag, a guy rushes into the bathhouse making a tremendous racket. I had my back turned so I only hear the noise. I then hear a wail of agony and then the most labored breathing I have ever heard. It’s like an elephant with asthma. I don’t know what’s going on with the guy, but he is straight up not having a good time. What happens next, is better left unsaid. I grab my bag and I’m out of there. Rushing out I trip over a bicycle that was laying in front of the bathhouse door. You know what, I’m not even mad. That poor guy was having a bad day. It was a race against a ticking time bomb and it was a photo finish. I would have dropped my bike in front of the door too.

Back at the camp site, we quickly packed up and decided breakfast was our first priority. And since we had not packed anything we headed off to find a spot. The rain and fog had ruined our hiking plans but not ruined the mood. I started to tell Brenna about the bathhouse-breather when she pointed up ahead at a guy struggling to pedal his bike up the road ahead of us. “You think his wife forgot to check the weather and made him go camping too?” She asked. “I think that guy had to take an emergency morning bike ride and he is not enjoying his camping experience.” I laugh and laugh as I tell her the rest of the story.

The leaves were still nice to look at, even with the fog. Our growling bellies cut it short though.

We make it back to town and decide on the breakfast spot. It’s a popular trendy spot and was full of what I refer to as yuppies. Nothing wrong with yuppies but apparently they take a long time to eat breakfast because the wait was an hour and a half. So our search continued. 30 minutes later we were seated and waiting on coffee. Now my wife isn’t one of those people who refuses to speak until she’s “had her coffee.” But there is a point of her being up about 90 minutes without coffee, that she no longer finds my sense of humor very entertaining. In fact, she can often find me annoying or even rude. It is also during these times, I come up with some of my best material.

Brenna: I just want some coffee. Me: maybe you should have brought some. Brenna: I just wanted to get away Cole. Not plan. Me: Get away from all the coffee? Brenna: Real funny. Me: Could be worse. You could have had to ride a bike here. You were lucky. I drove you. You need to relax more. Why can’t you just go with the flow? Maybe you should cut back on caffeine. Luckily the coffee arrived. She uses more then her fair share of cream. But it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for our marriage.

So we were both a bit grumpy from lack of food, but Village Inn had a pick four breakfast combo, so was a solid choice. You could also add items so I was excited. They said 7 items was the max, but the waitress cut me off after five. I caught her walking by and added a 6th. I decided not to press my luck with anymore requests. They might “lose” our orders. There could be worse problems. Cold weather camping takes a lot of out of you. It’s important to refuel. 6 items was enough.

We spent the rest of the day hitting thrift stores looking for treasures. We found some good stuff. As we started to head back, Brenna spotted the Home decor super store of boredom and pain. Now I have never seen such a wide variety of throw pillows, but they also had lots of Christmas decor. And while I didn’t come home with 25 foot inflatable Grinch for the roof, we had a pretty good time planning our lights for this year and I found other things to amuse myself with while she shopped. I was disappointed by the lack of vowels in the stocking section. Could be worse problems.

We headed for home in high spirits. I saw a billboard for a big gun store and Brenna encouraged me to stop. I didn’t buy anything but I like to look any chance I get. I didn’t even mind stopping at Sam’s Club in Joplin. However after waiting in line at customer service, shopping and waiting in line at self check out, neither one of us were patient with the debacle of one person trying to check receipts at the door. So many sarcastic comments popped into my head. Namely about where I would hide this huge four pack of cereal boxes, but I refrained. I rewarded myself with a double order of Chik-fil-a nuggets for the ride home. If you’re wondering how many nuggets it takes to get from Joplin to Parsons, it’s more then twenty four. Twenty four only gets you to Asbury. Just an FYI.

It was good to just go somewhere. Nothing went as planned, but there wasn’t much of a plan to begin with. I spend a lot of my time going places. Usually it’s going to work, or going to meetings or events or just stuff. I’m always going and usually focused on doing something. Completing a task, checking a box and getting things done. This time I focused on going with the flow. Which kind of defeats the purpose of just going with the flow. But it made the trip more fun. Hopefully for Brenna too. While I will never be described as a super laid back go with the flow guy, maybe I can learn to just flow. With some intensity.