Four cousins, left to right above -- Bonnie, Ann , Judy and Charlou. We had dinner together at Judy's house in Springdale in Northwest Arkansas, on June 29. Charlou lives in Bella Vista, about 40 minutes away; Bonnie flew up from Florida (she's moving back to Northwest Arkansas in the next few months) and I flew out from California.
Bonnie's grandfather Lester (second from left below), Judy's father Floyd (second from right) and Charlou's and my grandfather Roy (far right) were brothers. This photo was taken in Fayetteville, also in Northwest Arkansas; their other brother Lloyd is on the left and that's their mother, my great-grandmother Alice Irwin Elliott, in the middle.
We cousins have deep roots in Northwest Arkansas, where I spent the past couple of weeks during my semi-annual visit in the spectacular Ozark Mountains.
I stayed at the home of my sister Charlou and brother-in-law Bill at beautiful Lake Avalon in Bella Vista. I shot this photo from their back upstairs deck:
But on her free days, we spent quality sister time together!
Here's Captain Charlou piloting the pontoon boat. They have their own dock so it's easy to take the boat out for a spin.
The dogs don't miss a minute of the action!
Charlou's husband Bill:
In the next few days I'll post photos from our overnight trip to St. Louis, a look at the Confederate Cemetery in Fayetteville, some of the intriguing family info I uncovered while digging around at nearby libraries and museums, and more.
For now it's good to be home -- but my heart is another part of the country!
I love how you're digging, Ann. I was just talking about this sort of thing with J this evening. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI too have deep roots in the Ozarks. Mine are on the s/w side of Missouri. Maybe thats the reason that my republican mother had a soft spot for Bill Clinton.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to what you 'dig' up. Hope a few skeletons of the entertaining type make a show. Every family needs a black sheep.