Arkansas/Ozarks Road Trip

OK, OK,  a trip to Arkansas was not on my list of places to see before I die.  When Harry suggested we take a trip to Arkansas after visiting our kids in St. Louis, I reminded myself that a good marriage requires compromise.  I was not sure if I could easily place Arkansas on a map, nor have I ever felt a need to do so.  I refuse to feel embarrassed about this because people who live on the east and west coasts of the US often have no idea where Minnesota is.  But.... after exploring Arkansas for nearly a week this August,  I have become a huge fan of this lovely state and can now place it corretly on the map.

We stopped in Branson, Missouri on our way to the Ozarks, choosing to see the city's first and longest running show, called the Baldknobbers.  (Google that word for a surprising tale.)  One show and one overnight in Branson, fun as it was, was enough (at the least), and we headed for the Ozarks, choosing eventually to stay in four of the Arkansas state parks rather than in motels.  The state parks in Arkansas are first class and economical.  The accommodations include beautiful settings,  cute comfy cabins, scenic lodges with incredible views, excellent home-made (with an emphasis on fried) food, and friendly natives who give the term "Minnesota nice" a run for it's money.

The Ozarks are not the rocky jagged peaks of the Rockies, but tree-coated mounds of endless beauty.  The roads through the Ozarks, and the Ouachitas too, are good and not heavily traveled, at least not in August this year.  We often felt like we had the roads all to ourselves.  We decided it would be great to go back during the month of October to see the color change and perhaps try some fly fishing.  (Yes, on order are a couple DVDs from Amazon on the topic.)





The forests of the Ozarks are unusual in their mix of coniferous and deciduous trees.  This once common forest is now very rare in the US.










         
                                                                     
There are 51 state parks in Arkansas.   One we stayed at was called Petit Jean.  Petit Jean (I can only dream of her figure) was an 18th century woman who upon learning her fiance was off on an expedition to the Louisiana Territory, disguised herself as a cabin boy and sailed to the new world.  She survived the journey but died in Arkansas of a fever, never to see France again.

This beautiful cabin at Petit Jean State Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.  The cabin was cozy, but the bed, which they claimed was brand new, was terrible, especially for old people with arthritis.  Wait a minute....do people with arthritis fly fish??????? Read us next year to find out!