If you're a first time Phil & Sharon BLOG reader

Just in case you're new to blogs, the column to the right of the photos and commentary (where this is located) is the running stories we have written as this trip progresses. If you want to read the first entry you will need to start at the bottom of the list and work up if you need (want) to catch up. That means the latest comments/photos are always on the top of the column. Or just arrow down in the column to the end (could be several pages) to the first entry.

Also don't forget...you can double click on any photo for an enlarged view. But beware...the extra detail might not be good for either your eyes or young impressionable children.

The blog also has the ability for our readers to comment on what they have read. As a matter-of-fact the whole world can see these words and photos and some will probably either not like them or take exception in some way. We'll apologize in advance to any that are offended.

Since this is also our first blog, we are learning as well and will surely misspell, mis-punctuate, and just plain miss the boat on how we've told the story. Not to worry as we'll probably tell the story a different the next time we see you anyway. We'll also try to keep things in some sort of order but since we occasional want to share with you something that earlier slipped our mine, we just throw it in whenever we need to.

We're headed off to Hot Springs Arkansas in the morning (Monday 12th). We'll use that KOA as our base camp for our great diamond hunting adventure at the Crater of Diamonds National Park. Recent multi-carat stones have been recently found so our enthusiasm is high in spite of the 0% chance of repeating others good fortune. Hope springs eternal...