Hard to believe that it’s already been two weeks since we hit the road. Even though each stop is memorable in it’s own way, things are starting to blend together. It feels like we’ve been traveling half as long as we have, but that it’s been ages since we stopped at the Grand Canyon. It’s almost as if our poor city dwelling brains aren’t used to traveling in this way.
Bull Shoals White River State Park was amazing. We stayed there for two nights. In terms of campsites this was hands down our favorite. Once again we found ourselves with a riverfront site, and what a river it is! The water was refreshingly cold and crystal clear, with nature surrounding us. Because we were just downstream from a major dam (holding in Bull Shoals Lake) the water levels are prone to severe and sudden changes. Due to that, swimming is prohibited. But that’s ok, this river is known for other things, like being one of the top trout fishing rivers in the country.
With that reputation in mind, I’m sure you’re all wondering, has the inglorious streak of getting skunked been broken, or did you y’all catch some fish (yes, we’re starting to use more Southern vernacular as we head Southeast)? I’m happy to report that after a slow start in the picturesque spot right under our campsite turned out to be a bust, we moved to the slightly less picturesque spot behind the boat docks* where we actually managed to catch our dinner – one fish for each of us! All in all we caught 4 rainbows and one brown trout (we released the brown since it was too small to keep) that first day, and two more before school/work on our last day.
I’ve been taking the boys fishing for years, but this is the first time they’ve ever caught fish on their own. Everything from setting up the rods, baiting the hooks, and reeling in the fish. I’m proud of Josh and Liam. Now if they just learn how to clean the fish afterwards we’ll really be in business.! If we ever make it back to the area, I’d love to hire a guide to take us out the river in a boat.
In other news, work and school seem to be going well so far. Our strategy of picking locations based on their internet connectivity seems to be paying off. With that said, we really did luck out by finding this amazing location which had both natural beauty and decent interwebs.
*I suspect our success was partly due to this being the location where the trout of questionable intelligence hang out after the stocking truck drops them off in the river.
Wow…what a beautiful trip!!! Your dinner looks so tasty! Congrats to the boys for catching their first fish on their own!
This time you out smarted the fish by throwing the line in next to the stocking truck lol
Congrats on the catch!! 😋
Ha, just saw this. Yes, this is pretty much exactly what happened, although to make it sporting we did wait until the truck drove away ;).