Getting Caught Up
Last week was spring break for my kids, so we took the week off and drove our car nearly eight hours due south to camp for the week. It was really fun. We went to DeGray State Park, outside of Arkadelphia, AR. What a beautiful place. The reason we drove so far? Camping in March is generally an iffy proposition and we figured the further south we got, the greater chance we had to remain thawed. And for the most part, we were right. I think the coldest it got was the low 40s/upper 30s.
One of the highlights of the trip for me was driving into Hot Springs. Hot Springs is a cool town, and also the home to a national park. I am a nerd that way, by the way - I love to go to national historic sites, parks, memorials, etc. I began collecting site cancellation stamps in the early 90s (Big Bend National Park was the first one in 1992) and have been doing so ever since. About four years ago, I finally bought the National Park Passport and have been subsequently filling it, rather than my journals, with stamps. And so, I got another park cancellation stamp, which now raises my nerd quotient another degree or ten.
The one down-side to our trip? Missing the first two days of the NCAA basketball tournament. Everyone filled out a bracket and we kept refreshing the feed on my phone to see how we were doing. The hardest part was driving home on Friday when the Jayhawks were playing North Dakota State University. I had hoped to find the game somewhere on the AM dial, but the only stations available broadcast either conservative and/or religious shows. Which is fine - except when the Jayhawks are playing! So picture it: me driving on two-lane winding and mountainous Arkansas highways constantly updating my phone to stay current with the game. When it was finally over and the Jayhawks had prevailed, I was exhausted and my neck, shoulders, and back were in knots. I think Mimi thinks I am nuts. She is supportive though, and for that I am grateful. Ahh, the glory of being a fan.
My bracket looks pretty good, by the way. I went 24-8 in the first round, which is 75%. But round two was stellar: 15-1! We'll see how I continue to do. Until then, go Big 12: Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma!
Anyone do any spring break travel? How is your bracket looking?
I also went 24-8 and 15-1, and am now tied for the lead in my work pool. And, as much as I love my Jayhawks, the person I'm tied with has them winning the big dance... so I'm hopeful I'll fair better. Ah the glory of winning the office pool. ;)
Posted by: Vanessa Pierson | March 23, 2009 at 02:08 PM
Yeah, I have the Jayhawks beating Michigan State, then losing to who I have picked as the ultimate winner, Louisville. We'll see. As far as the Jayhawks go, I'd be very happy with an appearance in the Elite Eight.
Posted by: Tim | March 23, 2009 at 03:16 PM
I assume you miss Arizona in the sweet 16 like I did?
Posted by: Vanessa Pierson | March 23, 2009 at 03:45 PM
correction "missed"
and I wouldn't bet on Louisville to win it...North Carolina is going to come through for me this year.
Posted by: Vanessa Pierson | March 23, 2009 at 03:47 PM
I had Wake going to the final four! Totally busted. And I'm getting ready to go on a ski trip w/ my dad on Thursday to Beaver Creek. Should be fun, since they are getting a ton of snow out there right now.
Posted by: Art Gangel | March 24, 2009 at 02:58 PM
my grandparents live in Hot Spring Village (which my grandpa jokingly refers to as "paradise". .not so much w/ my Alzheimer Grandma). It scares me so to think that it was a good idea to place a retirement village in a mountainous region w/ twisting, 2 lane roads in which the locals drive like bats out of hell on. I offer to drive my mom down there w/ my dog in tow so when the depressing old people get to me (they watch tv 15 hours a day), I tell everyone I need to walk the dog. It is sooo beautiful "up" there and a great workout on those hills.
no bracketology, but oh I wished Siena would have pulled off the upset Sunday!!!
Posted by: Marlies | March 25, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Yes, Vanessa, like I said the other night, Wake Forest was my big miss. I don't know about UNC. I'm watching MU drum Memphis right now. They look amazing. Did you see that 70 ft. shot at half-time? Whoa.
I think you are skiing right now, Art. Dang. In other news...big snow storm on way to KC. Are you kidding me?
Marlies, have your grandpa call me and let me know when he is taking the car out. Especially if he is checking NCAA scores on his phone.
Posted by: Tim | March 26, 2009 at 10:35 PM
2009 is the last year in my third National Park Passport (for those of you who do not know that means I have been getting stamps and cancellations for 15 years). I will grant you that it might be nerdy but it is great fun to share the National Parks with Jared as he grows up.
Posted by: Lance | April 21, 2009 at 06:02 PM