Want to go somewhere really interesting that only locals know about? Find your way out to Pumpkin…read moreHill, just outside of Rison. I got to visit Pumpkin Hill with a group touring the county. A church group with several mini buses was there during my visit. This place is a diamond in the rough. First there's an old "dog trot" cabin along the road that was saved from destruction by the owners father. The cabin is livable and is replete with period furniture and objects. Second, there's train stuff. By the road are old railroad switches, signs and a passenger car. Further in near Lake Elrod is a personal car used by the president of the railroad. You can tour this car and check out the old kitchen, dining room and sleepers. Also on the property is a restored chapel that's popular with locals for weddings. There's also Lake Elrod which sweeps around the property and features several docks large enough for parties or receptions. I'd love to see Pumpkin Hill cleaned up and marketed more widely. I could see this place being a key station on a triathalon. Run in from Rison, swim the lake and then pedal off on a bicycle back to the start. Worth driving by on the old dirt road at minimum. You're in Rison already, so come on out.

This isn't really a business as much as it is just something fun for the kids. It is kinda dirty…read moreand I think it should be cleaned. The landscape is not very well taken care of and that's a problem. All in all this is a good place to take a kid that loves history.

On our visit to Hot Springs, we were told to check out Garvan Woodland Gardens. It was definitely a…read moregreat decision to come by and have a nice long stroll through the various gardens, forests, streams, and just nature. Its not too hard to find and there's plenty of parking out front. Leaving the parking lot is a little confusing though (signs would be helpful...). But its well worth the trip out! There were a variety of slices of nature and we spent a few hours here and still did not get to see it all. There's a whole nature preserve that's part of it and apparently great in the dawn/dusk to spot and hear various birds. We did see quite a bit of wildlife and fun plants around so even if we missed the preserve it was fun to see everything else. I think this is a great spot to reconnect with nature for a bit. There were well marked paths so it wasn't too strenuous and there were some more kid friendly areas as well for them to explore and run around.

Options for autumn when Canada was "closed" (1 of 2)…read more - - - - - Covid may seemingly be a thing of the past, but, for some, it will never be forgotten because it affected them or their loved ones in far more serious ways. It changed how we interacted, shopped, circulated, and even limited our options as to where we could travel. For a while, Canada was closed and it always comes to the top of my list when it comes to fall colors. That said, other options became New England, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Ozarks. Garvan Woodland Gardens is located just outside of Hot Springs, Arkansas, thus in the general Ozarks area. Hot Springs itself was already on the map as place of touristic import. Along a major avenue there is nationally registered "Bathhouse Row," a string of private spas in ornate mansion-sized facilities that rose to fame during the 20th Century. Its most famous visitor may have been Al Capone. I came to learn that Capone died a natural death. One might have thought otherwise. I vaguely knew about these gardens - the Garvan Woodland Gardens. However, if in town and you ask questions about things to do, their existence, and their details, become front and center. It's an easy drive from the small city of Hot Springs. The gardens began as a private garden that then flourished when they were donated and "privatized," or realistically operated by the University of Arkansas. As such, there is an admission fee. As can be expected, the gardens are segmented and themed. The most notable might be the Japanese Garden and the manicured plantings that go with that. There are also other themed areas, including some areas which are a little natural, or scruffier, if you prefer that word. There are other areas such as a toy railroad sort of old town, walkways abutting the lake, and odd contraptions that serve as stairs, bridges, and tree houses. Then, there are some areas with art installations of sort that look sort of granola. I didn't have time to read every placard explaining the logic, if any, of some of these things. There is also a non-denominational chapel on the grounds and it closely resembles the state's Thorncrown Chapel designed by the University of Arkansas's famed alumnus E. Fay Jones. I had already seen that chapel in Eureka Springs, but, if you can't make it to its remote corner of the state (actually just south of and somewhat close to Branson, Missouri), this one will almost enable you to check Thorncrown Chapel off your list. Seasonal blooms will affect what you see. Note that, if seeking fall color in the state, it will come later than other parts of America owing to the more southerly latitude. In the fall, it won't be as "flowery." The forested lands in which Garvan Wooodlands Gardens sits appear to be studded in Southern pine, and reminded me of the vegetation surrounding the Atlanta area. The employees on hand were very helpful. Note that, in this state, your bucket list ,at the very minimum, would be about 3 state parks, 2 more rugged natural areas, the historic areas of Little Rock, Eureka Springs, and Hot Springs, which would include these gardens. The beauty of everything you see may exceed your expectations. Just about everyone is giving Garvan Woodlands Gardens 5 stars. For its context and area, it should fetch 5 stars. However, compared to other places with a similar admission fee, I felt it was closer to 4 stars. It is nonetheless impressive and recommended and you should also consider the month in which you plan to visit. However, it could also be that the few hippie-dippy things there made for an eye roll. They always do.

An amazing piece of Americana that has been rehabilitated for use as a substation for the Sherwood…read morePolice Station. Not only is there nothing else like it in Sherwood, there's nothing else like it in Arkansas! If you haven't been to see the Roundtop, especially if you love vintage gas stations and unique architecture, make a trip to see it!

This landmark is hard for visitors to find as the surrounding concrete slab and chain link fence…read moremakes it look like something industrial, perhaps a gas main. People have been known to drive past multiple times. So, watch for the church and then look to the left (south) for the chain link rectangle. That's the monument. If I hadn't been with a local, I'd have missed the opportunity to connect with the fabled "Man in Black." By the way, if you're standing here, walk across the church driveway to the old one story red brick and white wood building to the right (north). That's the old Kingsland post office and the site of a popular photo of Johnny Cash sitting on its steps. Walk another block north to the new post office and in the lobby area is a glass wall display of Johnny Cash first day covers and old news clippings on Johnny's 1976 visit to his birthplace. Johnny Cash's actual birthplace is about three miles west near Crossroads Church and Cemetary. Hopefully someone can place a monument and some wayfinding signs for the actual birthplace. If you need directions to anything Johnny Cash in Kingsland, ask "Pee-nut" at the gas station.

There are 7 bathhouses still standing in Hot Springs National Park. The thermal springs gave it…read morethe name Spa City. Many from all walks of life came here for wellness & healing. Superior boathouse from 1829 is now a brewery restaurant. The fourth, is now the National Parks Visitor Center. We walked through the old bath house exhibits. We wandered into dressing rooms, hot tubs, medical rooms, and even a room with very old fitness equipment.

Bathhouse row is so neat and clean. It's such a beautiful way to walk around Hot Springs. I…read moreactually went into Lamar Bathhouse and was not disappointed.. it has so many lovely options for you to choose from. I promise they don't disappoint.

Great trail to enjoy nature and learning about our ancestors , paved trails and some are muddy but…read moreis up to you too get muddy or stay clean,, we enjoyed the mounds and some amazing cypress trees with the birds singing everywhere,,,

I'm a down and dirty girl! Oh, not in the way you think!…read more I like to get my hands and nails dirty. I like to dig. I like to discover and see what is beneath the surface. Way down! Just as far as anyone has ever gone. Let's look at the midden. The *WHAT* you ask? The midden. The dirt with *leftovers* in it. Leftovers? Like meatloaf & spinach & biscuits? Well, yeah . . . . kind of . . . leftovers like from folks who went before us. Leftovers like flint chips and sherds and anything that didn't decay that someone threw out their back door! And let's look at the rich black dirt (midden) that has all sorts of decayed matter in it . . . . like meatloaf & spinach & biscuits! You did know that you can tell when someone has lived on land by the richness and change in color of the soil, right? On my first visit to Toltec Mounds (a misnomer - this site really had nothing to do with the ancient Toltec culture) I knew that we were going to find rich midden. Its flat country. Very flat. Then out of nowhere rise these beautiful mounds. All built one basket-load of dirt at a time. Several of the mounds remain. Today it is just a few miles southeast of Little Rock. Archeologists believe this was a large ceremonial & governmental site. Who really knows for sure? Those who do are long gone. It was occupied between AD 600 to 1050. That they do know for sure. All sorts of ways of dating the site. Tree rings, carbon dating, etc. This was a large village with an earthern embankment surrounding it. Yes, I spent a lot of time here getting my nails & hands dirty. This wasn't my first love, er site, but it was one of the best. I helped excavate several pits on Mound A, I used my cartography skills extensively mapping each pit, I screened for minute artifacts, I surveyed, I washed and catalogued artifacts, I killed a thousand mosquitos and I made lifetime friends . . . all at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park in Scott, Arkansas. When I was there it was still farm land. That was before it became a State Park. Before many folks knew its true value. Before we put test pits in. Before there was a road. Before there was a museum and a visitors center. Before anyone really knew there had been a thriving Plum Bayou Culture there. Yes, I got my nails dirty here. Real dirty. I used my trowel and line level. I learned what a cottonmouth was here. (Not the way your mouth feels the next morning!) I learned what humidity is like when it is just so thick & heavy in the air that sweat doesn't dry off your skin and you never can get cool. I learned what mosquito repellent is really for. I learned to work in tandem with a teammate in sifting a large screen. I learned it is only marginally cooler in the shade than the sun when it is this hot. I learned how good a cold beer tastes in the evening just before bed. I learned to take salt tablets. I learned that it is far more fun to dig in the dirt than to sit around talking about how boring life is with manicured hands. Make memories now. Who knows, you may meet the love of your life in the next test pit or at the evening bonfire or out surveying. I did. And he/she will have dirty fingernails too. And you'll both know more about prehistory.

It's very relaxing and beautiful there and it just takes you back to bygone era, and it's pretty…read moreneat it was in Gone With the Wind.

The Old Mill is a beautiful spot in North Little Rock, AR amongst a charming neighborhood…read more It's listed as a National Register of Historic Places. Rightly so... the mill is supposedly the "last standing structure" from the movie "Gone With The Wind." The gates opened at 8 AM. Entry was free. By the time we got there, a small group was already taking professional-like photos of their model. The landscaping was nicely manicured. Some of the plants and flowers or trees were labeled with little signs. My girls liked climbing up into the replica "water-powered grist mill." We didn't stay long as dogs were not allowed on the grounds. Our dog stayed in my Jeep while the air-conditioning was on since it was in the upper 80s already. For more info plus an interactive map, go to: https://nlr.ar.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks/old-mill/

This gorgeous pedestrian path spans the Arkansas River. Many were kayaking under r biking over the…read moreArkansas River. Information here about the history of the bridge, which started out in the 1800s as a rail bridge.

We parked near the Clinton Library and decided to take a stroll, not really sure what to…read moreexpect--but the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge ended up being one of those quiet gems that sneaks up on you. What used to be an old railroad bridge has been given a second life, now standing proudly as a pedestrian walkway stretching over the Arkansas River. As we walked across, the breeze picked up just enough to keep the July heat from being unbearable. The view of the Little Rock skyline on one side and the riverbanks stretching out on the other made it worth the steps. It was calm, wide open, and gave us time to slow down and just enjoy where we were. The kids ran ahead, pretending they were on some kind of adventure, and we just soaked in the peace. It's not flashy or loud, but it has that thoughtful kind of presence--like it knows it's not the main event, but it still wants to make the moment better. If you're visiting the library, make the time to walk it. Bridges don't usually make memories--but this one just might.

We spent a day here and got through all the visitor center and the displays it has on all the…read morelevels. We drove to the mountain lookout and paid to go up there and spent more time there. We also drove the weather mountain loop and stopped at the pull off areas. The history and the geology is really neat. You need a full day if you plan to drive the park roads. If you want to hike then you need 2+ days.

On top of Hot Sprigs Mountain this 216ft tower hs spectacular views of the surrounding mountains…read morecovered with dogwood, hickory, oak & pine. We winded up a single lane road passing Picnic areas and rest stops before we got to the top. There was a small parking lot with magnificent views. We walked to the gift shop & found the register. We have a parks pass & paid $12 pp to take the elevator to the top of the tower. We took in the view on the top and then went down a floor to see the history of Hot Springs starting in 1875. Photos and artifacts from the old hotels and bath houses were presented with a timeline.

The restrooms on-site are outhouses (toilet seat is there, on top of a deep hole to catch your…read morewaste). This is a very beautiful historical park if you enjoy nature and/or like reading about its history. If you're not a history enthusiast or don't remember much about the Louisiana Purchase from your 8th grade history class...then you might find this state park to be boring. This park offers informational spots/posts along the way. When I visited, it was mostly dry so I didn't see any aquatic animals, no snakes, however there were plenty of birds in the trees singing. This park is located a couple minutes from a major highway. It offers a few parking spaces and there is no fee to enter/park.

This was a stop along a road trip to Dallas. The stop did add about an hour and a half to our…read morejourney. It's about 30 minutes off the highway. When we arrived there was only one other car in the parking area. This was slightly concerning because we appear to be in the middle of nowhere and you just never know the intent of others. As such, I do NOT suggest visiting this place solo. This landmark is a well maintained boardwalk above a swamp. The boardwalk leads you to the focal point of the swamp which is a monument that indicates the initial point from which all surveys of property acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 originated. If you are like me, it's been a long time since I had a history lesson. With that being said, there are several educational exhibits on the boardwalk to allow you to brush up on the Louisiana purchase. I enjoyed walking the boardwalk. It is a short distance to get to the end. I suggest taking your time to be still and listen to the sounds of the swamp. We saw a few birds and frogs along the way The signage indicates that alligators have been spotted in the swamp, but we did not see any during our visit. If you have an opportunity to visit, go for it!