Marion, Arkansas

Another good night of rest.  Camping is the magic sleeping pill!  We spent the day in Marion, Arkansas where Carol's brother Darrell lives.  Temporarily, his twin sister Carolyn is staying with Darrell to help him be able to stay in his own home.  The ladies (two sisters and two sisters-in-laws) ate lunch together at a local "hot spot."  It is named "Big John's Shake Shack."   There are a few 4-person tables but the rest are communal tables.  People sit with one another like family.  The decorations revolve around Coca Cola and Elvis Presley.   All this said, the food was great, especially the shakes.  We all had different sandwiches but everyone had a large chocolate shake.  We spent two hours rating, talking, and enjoying each other's company.

This is Big John's Shake Shack

Carolyn, Jean, Blogger, Peggy

Saluting with our great milkshakes.

After lunch we visited the Sultana Museum.  Did you know that nearly 1800 Union Soldiers were killed when the boilers of the paddle boat Sultata exploded and then sank?  We didn't either.  It was the greatest maritime disaster in United States history.  These soldiers had just been released fron Andersonville Prison and we're headed home following the war.  It happened April 25, 1865 on the Mississippi River here in Marion.

Wall panels listed those killed and we were very surprised to find the name of a Mulvany, especially one who spelled his name just like we do, without an "e" before the "y".  He was with a unit fron Indiana.  We don't know if he is related but it is an interesting idea.

We all ate supper together and after supper the siblings played cards.  This picture (from left to right) is Don, Jean, Darrell, Carol and Carolyn is standing in the background.  It brings back so many good memories of all the times when we would be visiting their parents and there would be two or three tables of  "Crazy Cards" being played.  This group played two games with each team winning one game.  The big tie-breaker will be tomorrow night.  There was a lot of good natured smack talk around the table but all was done with love.

We got back to the camp late, walked Sandy, and after this post plan to have another great night of sleep.