Fun, Friends, and Fall

Homecoming was wonderful. It was so nice to be back on campus and get to see friends that I haven't seen in years. It was a relaxing weekend but packed full of fun. On Friday my brother and I went on a small hike to see the trees changing down by the river. Then I went over to the house of some of my greatest friends in Searcy and had dinner with them and their children who I only wish that I could claim as my own. After that we headed to the volleyball game for senior night which was packed. As expected, they won and it was a good game. On Saturday I went to see a lifelong friend and her husband in their new house. We wrapped Christmas boxes for church and ate breakfast. Then came the football game. After standing on the sidelines of games for years, I refused to sit in the stands. The conference has become a lot more strict since I left about how many people can be on the sidelines so I borrowed a Sports Medicine shirt and got my way. The game was an exciting one but I'll let you read about it here. We eventually won in thriller and that made my whole weekend. After the game I went to dinner with some friends and then we just hung out and talked for a few hours. Once I finally got back to the place I was staying it was time for the Razorbacks game which lasted until bedtime. Sunday I went to church with my brother and his family-to-be. After church I ate lunch and then got on the road back home. All-in-all it was a great trip and definitely the best one I have had in a long time, mainly because this one didn't involve any doctors visits or funerals. Below is a sampling of the pictures that I took of the changing leaves. I didn't take any of the football game because as a member of the sports medicine team, we don't have cameras on the sidelines ;).

This is on the drive down Highway 65 somewhere near Harrison, Arkansas

This has always been my favorite spot on the drive. About 9 miles north of Marshall you are driving through the woods and hills and then you come around a corner to this clearing and the barn. A few years ago this was a really run-down barn with a small shack beside it and the field was all grown over, which was breathtakingly beautiful. Recently someone has bought the land, refurbished the barn, torn down the shack, and cut down the field. It's still beautiful but now it's just a little cleaner. The picture is a little dark but you get the idea.

This was taken on my hike with my brother just outside of Searcy. When I was in school this place was referred to as 'B Rock' but my brother didn't know anything about it so maybe the new kids aren't as adventurous as we once were.

This is just south of Marshall. As you can see, it's definitely the prettiest town on the drive (and the most accessible for stopping to take pictures). This is an actual overlook off the highway that I stop at on a regular basis during my drives because no matter what the season, it is a beautiful view.

I hope that you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed the real thing! God bless!