Enjoying Our Backyard

Here are some pics of cool details in the house, also included is a hike in our backyard on the creek. All of the scenery shots are within 1/4 mile of our house and most can be seen from the decks. There is 2" of snow and ice today, and it really gives the Gorge a special feeling. Strange weather for spring break, just got off river from 3 day trip with Scott and the kids, and came off in a driving snow storm. I say strange, but it really is typical for this time of year. I will post a report on our trip in my next blog. Peace Out, HH

Final Details

Beautiful Vortex

Beautiful weekend on the mountain, brothers Dave and Scott were up and we had a great time hanging outside. Saturday afternoon was spent clearing the main loop trail in Outlaw Hollow, which is in the best shape since the great ice storm of 09. The same can be said of the bench area around the cabin, just about all of the widow makers are down,and most of the trees look pretty healthy. It's been a long time coming and a lot of work, but the results are worth it. Saturday night we had a big feast, then we ignited the tallest and most awesome vortex ever, hard to believe we can just keep topping ourselves, but we do. My estimate was the monster was 20' tall, but Dave and Scott thought it was just 18', whatever, but it was incredible. Wish I had photos, Dave send me those pics. Sunday, we all loaded up the 4 wheelers and went to the upper Buffalo Wilderness to ride the trails just outside the wilderness area. We rode 25 miles of some awesome trails with Cooper and Matt driving their dads most of the time. Matt and Coop spent the whole weekend hanging out with the big dogs and really enjoyed the record vortex and the 4 wheeling, it was special for the dads as well. I have purchased a raft to be able to paddle the Hailstone run and Richland creek, so I am praying for rain big time, I hope I haven't jinxed it by getting a new boat. The time for good times has come, so let's get started .

Follow the Shooting Star

Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have witnessed several celestial events because I spend so much time outside at night. Each one has left me in awe, fireballs lighting up the sky as if it were mid-day or blowing up and scattering fiery debris. But the other night I slept on the deck, and late into the night I woke up and looked at the beautiful star filled sky. At that very instant, one of the best falling stars I have ever seen cut a blazing path from the center of the universe down to the horizon. Oh my god!!! the unbelievable timing of being asleep for hours, waking up and instantly looking at my limited view of the sky and at that exact moment an awesome shooting star streaks across my field of vision! It really made me think of our destiny, we are shooting stars in the Earth's timeline and only have a short instant to make our impact on the world. I love these things, they always impress the importance of serendipity in life and how we should always be looking for signs and inspiration from whatever source  it could possibly come. For me, this event represents the start of another chapter and an end to the awesome experience of building this place. How lucky am I to be able to enjoy(for the most part) 2 years creating and building a very special spot in the Ozark Mnts? I am so thankful and grateful, and as the intensity of the project lessens, I find it slowly sinking in, and satisfaction slowly filling my hollow head.  Always be on the lookout for what comes next, always be thankful for what has passed, and always enjoy the moment you are in.  Peace, The Hollowhead

Eagles in the Gorge

How cool is seeing a Bald Eagle fly within 20' of your deck, not once, but twice. Just an awesome nat-geo moment that sends me stammering and racing outside to get a better look. I think that the Eagle is roosting in the gorge somewhere, because he comes from the same spot and flies the same pattern to get into the open and glide through the canyon. They are huge when seen up close, their heads and tails bookend these birds beautifully and their beaks and talons demonstrate that they are very powerful. I have now had 6 very close visual encounters with eagles this winter, wish I could get a picture. The winter is so awesome around here, great hiking, you can see through the woods, the creek runs consistently and you can hear it so well on crisp winter nights, and every night is good for a fire if the wind is not bad. Had about 4" of snow last night and woke up to a beautiful scene of perfect snow piled on trees, but things are melting quickly and it will all be gone today. Although I love winter, I am looking forward to spring because every season up here is special. Shoot, I have even come to love summer since moving up here, nothing better than swimming in the river.                                                        As far as the house goes, still working on details inside, waiting for the weather to improve. I am just about completely done with every single thing inside, the major exception being the sink in the island and the cable lighting in the awesome room. The tile guy comes in 2 weeks to complete the kitchen backsplash and the fireplace hearth. Outside there are 3 main projects left; #1french drain,#2 front porch,#3hot tub deck. After that the house is complete, COMPLETE!COMPLETE!      I have had several visitors in the past week and I am very proud of what they had to say about the place, this will always be one of my biggest accomplishments and I plan to enjoy it for another 40 years. I am getting my camera back soon, so I will post a ton of pictures and catch up on all the details that have been completed. Later, The Hollowhead