Hot Springs, AR:

Storm blew up while we were out today. Several neighbors were nice enough to tie our awning down when the wind got under it and bent it back. It's supposed to close automatically based on wind gust speed. Had it set to close with a 24 mph gust; will lower it to 12 mph... it was working before so it should work once I set it to a lower number.

We are on the edge of Tornado Alley; they sure seem to get a large number of high velocity wind/rain storms. Lots of alarms coming across the TV and radio warning about flash floods. We are up on the top of a mountain (I'd call it a large hill really but around here they call'em mountains). In any case we are high enough we should be safe from any flooding if it occurs. Wind/rain damage is another story.

Up high is nice for view and lack of flooding however it does put you out there with any lightning and/or high winds.

Received our mail from home today; we spent 20 minutes sitting in the postal parking lot going through and reading our mail. I had lots of birthday cards and wishes, including really cool cards from the girls. Both of them played music and one was actually a recording of their voice. It was great to hear their voice too.

We are here through Tuesday when we will move closer to Christopher; probably somewhere around the Buffalo National River or around Beaver Lake. Beaver Lake is just outside of Rogers/Bentonville, AR. That's right, Walmart's home town, Bentonville, AR. Where old Sam Walton started kicking some serious retail butt. And, wouldn't you know it, one of the few stocks up for the year, almost 19% YTD. MLA was right when she said we were at Walmart so much we should buy their stock. Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda. Can't play that game...


See Ya!