Still trying to finish up the Texas Eclipse trip!

 The most exciting part of our vacations are always the different hip camps we stay at. I just love car and tent camping! I'd much rather stay in the woods etc.. than at a hotel next to a highway! No bed bugs here or anything gross!! Just nature! 

After we left Texas, we drove to Arkansas near the diamond fields. Our plan was to get some quartz crystals and do some diamond digging. Turns out it rained. We just car camped. Which meant while in the car, move all that was in the back, tent, grill, food, cooking stuff and 2 coolers  etc.. all to the front seats. I got in the back and handed it all up to Steve, then he crawled in back. This was the best way to not get wet! We didn't have any trouble doing this and it really didn't take that long to transfer it all. We had the back already set up for sleeping. I'd do another foam layer to make it more soft for sleeping for our next car camping. It still worked great! We slept sooo good. Just cracked the window a bit for some air. We also have car window covers which I kept up all the time on the 2 side back windows and then I had the front window cover that I put between the front seat and the back instead of on the windshield. We usually have a tent for the back, so I didn't block that out, but we didn't need it. It's more for keeping it dark when the moon is out or the sun comes up too early. 

We found plenty of quartz rocks, not huge crystals, but nice enough rocks to bring back home. 

We took a walk at a park down the road and found even more rocks. Steve didn't want to leave the car due to a van pulling up. Who knows if they are going to break your window and take stuff. We were more worried about someone breaking the window then taking anything. 

The trails were pretty and soo green there.

We said good bye to our campsite for the night. Sun was out the next day, so it was easier to pack up. Although we just transferred the stuff the same way inside the car. 

The countryside was sooo green in Ark, and Ok

We stopped at a lake in a park

Drove through Brandon. We hated it! Kind of like Wisconsin Dells, less water more rides and the old town area for shops. 

We did walk the old town area shops. Did that quick and left

I was excited for Hot springs, but it turned out to be a dud. Only bath houses for the spring water. Not any at the parks. 

We did drive up to the top of the hill that over looked Hot springs. 

Car camping again at a new location in Arkansas, next to a river that looked aqua blue. Sooo pretty. We had to share with 4 other campers for the night. We set up the back of the car tent. Not enough room or conditions for a tent set up as the ground was all rocks. We were fine because we were there for just one night. Since we killed the battery the first night with leaving the back open/lights on inside. We disconnected the battery to save it! Great idea as it worked perfect! 

I love camping this way especially when its chilly 50 /40 degrees at night. Stays okay inside the car for most of the night, only getting a little bit chilly right before sun rise, low temp of the night. We can set up the back car tent quickly and move all the stuff in the back to that tent. Plus, have room to stand and setup chairs, change clothes etc.

This was my favorite camping spot even though we were not alone. The camp sites were spread out and it still felt private. 

Since it rained, the water was up higher. We could have crossed to the other side, but we didn't want to risk it. Someone else did that instead thankfully. We had no idea what campsites where which so since were were there first we grabbed the best location! 

The trees were not super green here.

oops here is Brandon. Will not go back!

Last stop, the Ozarks in Mo. We drove in and saw 2 deer at our camping spot. We stayed there last year and loved this place. We had it all to ourselves! Otherwise, it would have had 5 other campers that are close together. No privacy, which isn't an issue if we are there alone! 

Just love the view!! We always go here off season in April/May and never camp with anyone. It's the most expensive campspot which is still cheap at $37 per night and with tax I think the 2 nights were about $90 total. Far cheaper than a hotel and a way better view!! 

had some great food from the trails end restaurant that's our favorite. It's an old 100+ year log cabin, added on and made into a restaurant The best one in the area. 

Our favorite sticky asian ribs!! We have to figure out how they made these. BBQ and sweet and sour with some spice? 

Also shared a chicken sandwich. The fries were thick and too good!

Lots of local beers for the day

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I finally got to use the hammock and enjoyed the rest of the late afternoon into the evening. We cooked beef tenderloins the 2nd night. 

Our favorite beach bar on the Ozarks.

Saying good bye to our 10 day vacation. Not sure if we will do this again next spring. We've done it the last 3 years. I think we might go to South Dakota depending on the weather. South is more reliable for warm, but if we go in May, it should be better weather. I'm not against going back to the Ozarks.