The Break Experiment: Episode 2

January 25-February 5, 2011

As the last Break Experiment took the three traveling companions East to Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, this journey take them in the opposite direction: West. Destination: Siloam Springs, AR.

Reason: 1.) It is far away: Distance proved to be an important factor in the last Break Experiment. 2.) Connections: Locations included very affordable (if not free) housing, those talented in the culinary arts, and, most importantly, old friends that needed to be visited. 3.) Location: as it is the middle of winter the three thought staying in the South would be wise, especially for Laura’s sake. She struggles with the cold. 4.) Oh yeah: To do Homework

The journey began with the three traveling companions, Christina, Laura, and Heather loading Heather’s seasoned cavalier and hitting the road toward Memphis. After just finishing their last intensive, the three had some decompressing to do. With Laura’s fingers flying on her computer keyboard, the lessons learned and hopes for the future of the program and the graduate assistantship were documented. Nashville came and went with great productivity. In no time they reached their first destination: Memphis. Laura’s connections came through wonderfully as we were treated to a Mexican dinner and a warm comfortable place to rest their heads.

As their final destination was still six hours away, the three continued moving forward the following day. As Heather had driven this route years before, she drove the whole way excited to see familiar faces at the end of the road.

The arrival in Siloam Spring brought an instant feeling of being home for Heather and it was 73 degrees outside. She had spent two and a half years working at John Brown University. It had been 3 years since she last saw her friends at the Soderquist Center. But even better was the out of town faces that were here for the milestone event of Luke Voss’ baby dedication.

Laura and Christina watched the buzz around them as Heather’s roommate from college’s house overflowed with laughter as old friends from Indiana Wesleyan days interacted as if no time had passed between their last meeting.

The winds changed on Monday, as the house calmed. Before the ever-dreaded homework could be attacked, Heather had to show Laura and Christina some of the highlights of the area. The main attraction: Greystone.

Good-ol’-Frank led the band of now five (Heather, Laura, Christina, Lynette, and Luke) through every nook, cranny, and tunnel of this 16,000 square foot estate. The rain held off as Heather finished the tour showing off some of the highlight areas of the grounds.

Little did the crew know that if they had waited 24 hours the tour would have been impossible.

The oh-so-uncharacteristic-of the-area event hit: 8-inches of snow with temperatures way below freezing.

The next three days merged together as all were trapped indoors. Homework was inevitable. No more excuses. However, many distractions came to the rescue of being too productive: Wii-fit and Dance-Dance-Revolution. After all, movement is important when the majority of the day is spent sitting in front of the computer. Heather, Christina, and Lynette also got a fabulous ab workout watching Laura do the hula!

By the time the roads were semi-cleared, it was time for the three traveling companions to head back East. The laughter, wonderful home-made meals, lessons in child care, and wii experiences were mementos taken by the three as the left Siloam Springs.

The road back to Memphis was long as the snow continued to come down until Little Rock. Laura’s relatives were once again so welcoming. Continue to expand their horizons, the three embarked on a traditional Southern culinary adventure: fried everything… fish, chicken, pickles, hushpuppies, and green tomatoes.

Later that evening, Heather had a chance to show her mad skills on the alto saxophone. She was so rusty that her skills did about drive Laura and Christina mad. With the help of one of Laura’s cousins, she was set to right.

The evening culminated with more Wii action, as all were introduced to Just Dance.

Tennessee was reached once more the following day. Although the journey took our travelers from on extreme end of a state to the other extreme of the neighboring state, the distance was well worth it. Laura and Christina experienced new states (Laura found her way to Oklahoma for a side geo-cache adventure). Heather just left one home to arrive at another.