Our mission was to get a few pictures of the Autumn scenery around the "ole stomping ground." before the yellow and red disappeared. Mama said it was really beautiful about a week ago-flaming red and golden glowing leaves. She thought the leaves were getting a little brown but what we saw was still beautiful.
We first set our eyes on the large rock-boulder that makes its home in the middle of Little Red River. It has always been there and it is one of the first sights you see when you cross the bridge entering the town of Shirley. Seeing that large boulder lets you know you are home. It was surrounded by beautiful trees. The sunlight was perfect bouncing off the water.
We continued our journey to the train bridge. What once was covered with rickety old boards has now been replaced with concrete. The tall rusted beams that rise into the sky bring back memories of jumping off into the muddy river below. I remember being lifted up onto the rails by Gary Goodnight, before the bridge had been fixed to drive across, to edge my way out in the middle. It was the Delk boys, Robin and me that decided jumping was a good idea. I think Robin and I were trying to prove we were courageous as the boys. Just looking back at that rusty old bridge makes me cringe at the thought of the steel beams that lie covered by muck. It would have been quite possible to land on one of those and been paralyzed for life. Thank the good Lord that did not happen. The old bridge, now repaired for trucks and cars to drive across, seems to be more stable, but my stomach always gets queasy as we drive across. I personally have only driven across it twice. I just get the feeling that I will run off the edge and finally hit one of those drowning steel beams.
Circling around we headed down to the low water bridge or at least where it use to be. The water was rushing over the shoals and nothing but just the knowledge of where the bridge once was remains. All the while Mama helping spot scenes that would make perfect pictures. Her big find was a puddle of minnows. I snapped a few pictures before the little fellas felt the vibrations from my footsteps and scooted away.
Next we headed to the farm to look around at Cole's food plots. Mama was in search of a turkey feather. She had sent dad to get her one and it seems he either didn't find one or really didn't go to the trouble to find one. We searched around and walked a ways out but we weren't successful either. Cole, who assured us that we would find one, will have a surprise close up visitor when he checks his game camera.
On to travel further up the river. We went to see Dan and Karen Grilliot's home which is absolutely beautiful inside and out. The interior designed and crafted by Karen is amazing. Intricate details are managed throughout the home. Next we drove to the Austin Hole where a house sets taking in the view we all experienced when we were kids and Porker drove us all up the river to take a swim.
We drove on and snapped several pictures. Beginning to get tired from my surgery, we started the slow drive back home, but not before we took snapshots of the water rushing over the shoals and a picture of a grapevine that twisted and turned around the trunk of the tree. As we made our way home we stopped to get a snap of the spring that runs from the side of the hill. My Grandpa Ezra had fixed it many years ago to run through a pipe where you could stop and get a cool drink or fill your water jugs.
Before we could make it all the way home, we met Dad who had come in search of us. It seems the last time Mama left out with a passenger on the four wheeler, my Uncle Darrel, the result had been a stalled machine and no cell service. I believe Uncle Darrel commented about carrying a cell phone, "we may as well been carrying a cow turd for all the good this cell phone did." Luckily this trip worked out much better.
Yeah, I'm sure I will regret this in the morning, but as for today....... Mama and me had a good time just taking a relaxing four wheeler ride.
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