How exactly does one ride a buffalo?

Yesterday the five of us loaded up a cooler full of corn pones, peaches, corn bread, ham, boiled eggs, and booze, donned our swimsuits and sunscreen, and crammed ourselves into Emilee's little Subaru with our sights set on the river. It was a long and beautiful drive to the Buffalo, and I enjoyed it like I always enjoy our little sojourns through the Arkansas country. We passed expansive green fields dotted with the dark shapes of cows, trees, and little farm houses and farm pick-up trucks. We drove over countless little bridges extended across running streams, brooks, creeks, and rivers. The sky was blue. The clouds were white. The company was full of laughter and singing and talk and quiet.

When we made it to the river (just in time, I might add - 2:30 on the dot) we sat on the cooler for a while drinking beer and waiting for the bus full of canoes to come pick us up. It was the tiniest little bus you ever saw, toting a trailer full of boats that easily doubled its size. We all filed in and giggled the whole way down to the drop off point. Hailey and I (henceforth to be known as Tom and Huck) took one boat. Seth, Emilee, Ben and the cooler took the other. I don't think we stopped laughing the whole way down the river as we swam, raced, and hung out on the occasional beach. The view was incredible. Huge cliffs and hills stretched up high on either side of us. The exposed stone shone in the sunlight, and the green leaves glistened with the splashes of water. It was incredibly hot under the midday sun, but we slathered on the sunscreen. I am happy to report only slightly pink skin showed up at the breakfast table this morning. No burns in the bunch!

At the end of our afternoon on the river we all sat around the car finishing up the snacks and talking about life - specifically relationships. When we were done sharing, laughing, and maybe even crying a bit, we all piled back in the 'Buru and headed home. As we drove the sun set on our right, and in the cool darkness we rolled down the windows and turned up the Bob Dylan. I let my feet hang out the window of the front seat and felt the air and sometimes a tiny bug hitting my feet. It was a spectacular drive for me, filled with warmth and calm and fulfillment and friendship. One of the best drives of my life, no question.

At home Seth and I took the dogs to the garden (they keep out the deer). Emilee, Ben, and Hailey emptied the cooler and made eggs. We all hung around a bit longer before our farm beds began to beckon and we answered obediently, dragging ourselves into the sheets and blankets where we all fell asleep happy, heavy, and full from a good day.