Arkansas
The state immediately East of Oklahoma was a regular haunt for us during our time in Bartlesville. It was an easy drive on empty roads across the border and into the Ozark National Forest which covers 1.2 million acres in the North-West corner of Arkansas.
We always took family and friends out to Arkansas when they visited and tried to get them up the 'Top of the Ozarks' Tower which gives incredible views from its location at the summit of Bull Mountain (about 30 miles East of Eureka Springs)
The photo below is of me and my brother (he is the one squeezed into the Scunthorpe United shirt) at the top of the tower. The smaller photos in the gallery below show the views from the top (click them for larger pic and captions)
The town of Bull Shoals was one we selected randomly from the internet, being beside a huge lake it had to be worth a look, we drove the 200 or so miles there for the first time one Friday evening in October 2007. As usual we didn't book anything and just drove around looking for a hotel, having not passed a hotel for miles we were beginning to worry when we came across this fine looking establishment.
As we pulled into the car park two middle aged women were sat outside on 1920's deck chairs smoking and (it has to be said) sagging in all the wrong places. When I asked about a room the older of the two stood slowly and beckoned us inside whilst simultaneously balancing 3 inch of cigarette ash on the long finished tip of a Marlboro dangling from her lips.
'Hello' squawks a huge parrot as we enter the dingy reception area, a huge smile (trying to stifle a laugh) lights up my face as I begin to think I've walked into a bad TV sketch show, "you like parrots huh" says the woman...."only the Norwegian Blue" I reply (directly referring to a famous Monty Python sketch) I glanced at Sarah and the woman, neither had any idea of the Python reference which seemed all the more amusing to me....I must have been tired............. "beautiful plumage" I said with a grin like the Cheshire cat (a continuance of the Python sketch) how I wished Mark or any of my mates from back home were there at that moment to share the 'parrot sketch' with me.
We sorted a room, the adjoining door to the neighbouring room had been bust through at least 10 times (repositioned locks and bits of nailed on plywood told the story) and Sarah begged me to drag the wardrobe across in front of it...I didn't. The bed sheets were nylon leopard print and I immediately looked for the coin operated shaker (the thought of the static that could work up there was not lost on me) unfortunately there wasn't one. It's a shame really as the bathroom had no light and we might have generated sufficient light to see in there....then again perhaps it was better left in darkness. We survived the night and had breakfast in a small cafe across the road in the morning, Sarah has never got over her night in the Bull Shoals Motel....Personally, I've stayed in worse places!!
After breakfast we drove down to the Dam and visitor centre.
'Hello' squawks a huge parrot as we enter the dingy reception area, a huge smile (trying to stifle a laugh) lights up my face as I begin to think I've walked into a bad TV sketch show, "you like parrots huh" says the woman...."only the Norwegian Blue" I reply (directly referring to a famous Monty Python sketch) I glanced at Sarah and the woman, neither had any idea of the Python reference which seemed all the more amusing to me....I must have been tired............. "beautiful plumage" I said with a grin like the Cheshire cat (a continuance of the Python sketch) how I wished Mark or any of my mates from back home were there at that moment to share the 'parrot sketch' with me.
We sorted a room, the adjoining door to the neighbouring room had been bust through at least 10 times (repositioned locks and bits of nailed on plywood told the story) and Sarah begged me to drag the wardrobe across in front of it...I didn't. The bed sheets were nylon leopard print and I immediately looked for the coin operated shaker (the thought of the static that could work up there was not lost on me) unfortunately there wasn't one. It's a shame really as the bathroom had no light and we might have generated sufficient light to see in there....then again perhaps it was better left in darkness. We survived the night and had breakfast in a small cafe across the road in the morning, Sarah has never got over her night in the Bull Shoals Motel....Personally, I've stayed in worse places!!
After breakfast we drove down to the Dam and visitor centre.
After talking to some local fishermen at the base of the dam we went back into town to see if any of the visitor attractions had opened yet, our first stop was the preserved 1800's mountain village.
We also took a guided cave tour where the lights are turned off for a brief time to let you experience true darkness......yikes.
War Eagle Mill and War Eagle Cavern were also on our list of 'been there - done that' experiences in Arkansas,
Down at the lake itself there are some huge carp loitering around the boathouse looking for freebies, and of course, you can rent a boat for the day (at a great price too)
About 30 miles East of Bull Shoals is the tiny town of Eureka Springs, an art colony away in the Ozarks. This is Sarah in her own environment (shopping) we loved this little town and visited frequently, always leaving carrying much more than when we arrived
Another great part of the Ozarks is the 'Pig Trail' (Arkansas Highway 23) which passes through Eureka Springs as it winds its way through the mountains, it is a beautifully scenic stretch of road that runs for about 25 miles and has various stopping points along the way. One of our favourites being 'Artists Point' gift shop and museum where we would stand on the balcony drinking coffee and watching humming birds come and go from a small feeder there.
Our most visited spot other than Eureka Springs was Whittaker Point (AKA Hawksbill Crag) This dramatic overhang deep in the forest at the top of a mountain gave the most spectacular of views. When you drive up the mountain on the narrow twisting road you are often looking over the edge of the badly worn road wondering if this was a good idea, but when you reach the top and make the short (2 mile) walk through the trees it is always worth it. Below is Sarah and Steve (with that Damn Scunthorpe United shirt again) We also brought Neil, Paula and Adam here to stand on this incredible overlook.
All of the above is in one small corner of Arkansas one we visited again and again and would have continued to do so had we not moved to Houston. The final shot below is of the White River as it winds its way through Arkansas cutting through the limestone cliffs and beautiful Ozark National Forest along the way.