Our trip down here to Big Spring in Van Buren, MO was a tight one. We were stuffed with everything we need for the next 2 months, or at least until Christmas. When we finally pried ourselves and the children out of the car, we all set about exploring our new surroundings in the dark. The historic cabin is tiny, but only 2 hours after our arrival Henry declared,"this is a cozy home just right for us."

The cabin was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s thanks to the legislation brought about by President Franklin Roosevelt in efforts to put young men to work, while also working to preserve America's beautiful natural places. Thanks FDR! We love it. Our cabin was actually the original laundry facility for the Corps.

After an oatmealy breakfast the next morning, we headed down to the Big Spring by foot, scooter (Wynne) and bike (Henry.) The road took us down quite a hill and across a bridge, about a half a mile from our cabin to the beautiful, bubbling spring. If you haven't been, we'll soon take you on a quick video tour, but if you live in Missouri, and even if you don't…its a trip worth taking! We've been twice a day for everyday since.

Every morning, we enjoy a quiet moment near the spring together followed by some drawing and planning for the day.
Here we are in this lovely, pristine park and the boys choose to use this time to perfect their wheel skills, Wynne on his scooter and Henry on skateboard and bike. Henry is working hard on his curb jumping and wheelie popping skills at the moment. We eventually climb the hill back to the cabin for our school work of the day. Though it varies some, we read some, write some, work on earning our junior ranger badges, collect wood, chop wood, hammer nails, ride bikes, watercolor paint, make nature crafts from our collection of goodies on hikes (acorns, sycamore balls, grapevines, shells, rocks, whatever,) learn about the trees around us and conduct science experiments of sorts. Its a busy day. It always ends with another walk or hike before starting a fire for cooking supper. After supper and stargazing some, its showers, cards and reading and in bed by 7ish. Yes, very early, but the boys are ready for rest and so are we.

We've been blessed with perfect weather so far, so almost all of our time is spent outside, however, when the cold and wet weather sets in, spirits may change, as will our routine, I'm sure.
We've explored the town of VanBuren some and found that there are almost no opportunities for wireless connections which leads, I'm afraid to few chances to update you all on what's happening, but know that we thinking of all of you.

A bit about VanBuren. It hosts the Information and Visitors Center for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways ( a part of the National Park Service) which is quite helpful in directing folks to springs, great canoe floats and sites and hiking trails as well as ways the region has developed along with the Current River as a major influence. The town is mostly seasonal as it depends on the seasonal traffic from hikers, campers, canoers and river enthusiasts. If you're not too into roughing it, but want to enjoy the wonders of the park, the Rose Cliff Lodge is a comfortable small hotel with the best catfish dinner around and a great view of the river from the dining room.