Day 3

The three adults started this day by bringing our laptops out while the children slept. Dave began working early so he would be able to go on a hike with us to the waterfall later that morning. We all devoured a breakfast of potatoes, fruit, bagels, and eggs then mostly packed up and showered.

We picked the 2 mile waterfall trail thinking it would take us about an hour to go down and back. We would be able to get on the road and Dave would be able to finish his work day as we drove. As we walked out to the trail head we were greeted with this beautiful view!

 And that was the last time that lens worked with the camera. It was a favorite lens of ours and had been just about everywhere with us for the past 11 years. Thankfully, Dave had thought to bring an extra lens along so we'll be able to use that one, but it is definitely a little more difficult to work with.

We started down the trail and were then greeted with a very large red sign warning us of the strenuous, rocky trail ahead. Over the years we'd finished all sorts of rocky and strenuous trails so we weren't deterred in the least, but I quickly realized it wouldn't be something we could do in an hour.

Our fearless, furry leader took the job of navigating us through the rocks taking frequent detours thanks to her keen sense of smell. We kept trying to teach her to look for the trail markers on the trees but she just wasn't getting it. She kept lookout while the kids climbed all around off the trail too.









We made it down to the waterfall and were all in awe of the rock wall surrounding us. It was a 100-ft rock wall whose middle had just collapsed leaving a waterfall and pool full of boulders. And where there are boulders, there will be children climbing them!

Here is Cedar Falls:

It doesn't look all that impressive until you add the kids in the picture for perpective! Shortly after this the girls got soaked when Grammie kept telling them to move to the left!

And Lola just waited every so patiently as they played.

Normally on our hikes we don't have much of a schedule so the kids are used to being able to freely climb around and explore. With Dave on a work schedule we had to get back so the kids had to pick only one spot on the way back to climb around. They chose to go through the rocks and water instead of going across the bridge with my warning, "You need to keep up or catch up". Only to find out they beat us to the other side!

The walk up was especially difficult for all of us, but we made it! The kids talked about going to the pool while we packed up but knowing we would be finished within about 30 minutes decided to just get sprayed by Grammie's hose and get on the road. They even drank from the hose like real-life 70s kids!

Brayden was especially excited to get to ride with Grammie today, to pick out his own snacks from her stash, and do many of the activities in his bag she'd put together for him. I was excited to have two girls in the card with us and no fighting!!

After a few hours we were nearing the state line but there was NO SIGN!! There was a sign welcoming us to Cherokee Nation, but nothing for Oklahoma. So the kids took a picture at our state park once we got there.

Reason #344 why we love Gramme coming with us - she brings fish and shrimp for dinner! We feasted like kings and queens on Joe Patti's shrimp and fish grilled, quinoa and rice, salad, and baked beans. And if that wasn't enough some famous white chocolate chip cookies that were simply awesome. With all that I was ready for a long nap.

But with this big, beautiful field right by our campsite we just had to initiate Grammie to camp ball! Laney had a plan already for teams. Since Dave was more like a kid than an adult, Grammie and I would be team captains. Grammie picked first by taking Brayden, then I took Dave. She looked at me like I was cheating, then grabbed Ryan for her team and Laney went with us to go bat.

With Grammie's softball pitching expertise I knew it would only take her a few minutes to get used to our homemade balls. She only hit Laney a few times before giving her a few she could hit. At least they were pretty soft! My team ended up scoreless that inning and our rivals scored four before we got them out. The remaining innings were scoreless and with the old people no longer being able to see the pitches so we called it a game. Grammie/Brayden/Ryan 4, Jen/Dave/Laney 0.

We don't have many good pictures because this is what happens when you give the kids the camera.

Shortly after the end of the game we quickly planned the next day since there was supposed to be more rain coming early in the morning. We hoped to be packed up and on the road early with a long drive ahead of us. We tucked into our respective sleeping areas for the night and I wrote and edited pictures until my eyelids were heavy. Late night computer time is the best sleep medicine!