Hello everyone!  Happy September.  How’s it going? I am sure each and everyone of you had a wonderful summer vacation. Where did y’all go? Did you travel overseas or had a stay-cation?  Did you to the beach or to an adventurous escapade? Whatever it was, the most important about these vacations was the excitement, enjoyment, experience, and the happy memories spent together with the family.

My family and I had a great summer vacation.  Since only me and my daughter traveled overseas for a long vacation in the Philippines, we had to travel together – the three of us.  We went to Arkansas and Oklahoma last month.

Tribute to the Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America. Arkansas Welcome Center.

It was a week long vacation traveling in those two beautiful state.  We dug for gemstones at The Crate of Diamonds State Park in Murfressboro and at the Crystal Mines in Mount Ida, Arkansas.  We didn’t find diamonds though.  Only a few loose gemstones mostly jasper. But it was a nice experience.  The Crater of Diamonds mining area is huge.  Hard to decide which spot is a lucky spot to dig. 🙂

Entering the mine.

You can rent a bucket, shovel, and two sifters for $35/whole day.  You can look for diamonds as long as you want in the mine.  Before returning the tools, you have to wash them thoroughly.  They said that the best probability to find diamonds is to go there after the rain.

We stayed at Yellow Diamond Inn in Murfreesboro.  Decent hotel room and affordable room rates.  The town’s very quiet at night.  There are a few good restaurants or diner around.  Agaves Mexican Restaurant and a cafe near downtown.  My daughter and I enjoyed visiting the shops in downtown.  I bought a few kids clothing from a thrift store there.

Caddo Antique Shop in Downtown Murfreesboro, Arkansas

After shopping in downtown, I thought of taking my darling daughter to the pool in the Crater of Diamonds State Park.  But we got there two hours before closing (at 6:00 P.M.) and the staff said they’re not selling tickets anymore because they’re closing the pool due to thunder warning.  So we just drove back to the hotel and decided to relax in their pool instead.

If you want to have an adventure in Arkansas, don’t forget to visit the The Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Location:  209 State Park Rd, Murfreesboro, AR 71958

Contact:  (870) 285-3113

Website: http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/