Following our stay in Nashville, we made our 9.5 hour drive to Bella Vista Arkansas to visit Jarrid’s Aunt and Uncle. We were greeted by a meal fit for kings that almost instantly put us into a food coma.

With full bellies and a good night of sleep behind us, we made the drive to Pea Ridge National Military Park. The grounds consisted of a small museum, an old tavern, and the former battlefields spotted with authentic cannons. Frank and I had a chance for a North v South face-off in the Museum. If you need to know who won, pick up a history book. Although there is not much to see outside the museum and barren fields, as history buffs we were able to appreciate and enjoy walking through one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the U.S.

Unfortunately, our time in Bella Vista was short, but our next stop was Oklahoma City where we got to visit Jarrid’s Sister and Brother-in-law. Our first full day in OKC started off with a phenomenal brunch. After brunch we transitioned into the most somber part of the trip thus far as we visited the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. This tribute was the most beautiful, yet one of the most emotional memorials either of us have ever seen. Walking past each individual chair bearing the victim’s names lead to a more personal experience than we could have anticipated. Whether you were too young to remember this tragic event or not, it is impossible to not feel a strong connection following a visit here.

After regrouping back at the house with some quick naps and food, we were able to switch our mood for the evening as we went out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. If you think there is nothing to do in OKC, you are wrong. Frank and I were pleasantly surprised following our night out – It was an awesome chic city with an extremely cool restaurant and bar scene.

We said our goodbyes in OKC and headed to Austin, Texas making one quick stop in Dallas for another home cooked meal and some local Texas Brews with Frank’s Uncle and Aunt. We ingeniously planned our route so we could eat well at all of our stops. So if you hear from us, it likely means we just want your food. Before we made it to Austin we stopped to refuel at the famous Buc-ee’s where we also increased our beef jerky net worth to $120. If you have never been to Buc-ee’s, it’s an experience in its own.

We were greeted in Austin by our good friend and former teammate along with other wahoo’s to cheer on our Virginia Cavaliers into the March Madness Sweet 16. After the game Frank met up with his cousins to celebrate the Persian New Year with some hookah and good ole fashion belly dancing… Why they felt the need to celebrate the Persian New Year is still unclear. See Frank give a free lesson below.

After a phenomenal goodbye brunch at Bangers in Austin, we are back on the road headed for some backcountry camping in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Thanks to all that have hosted us so far.

More updates to come soon…especially photos of our amazing gear and clothing from our sponsors!