Back to Nature: Love for Arkansas State Parks
February 9, 2010 12:00 AM
My Tuesday blogs are dedicated to experiencing the great outdoors. I’ll feature anything from park events to Natural State destinations worth seeing. Join me each week to get back to nature.
Jill M. Rohrbach
Valentine’s Day is Sunday. While most people think of love between husband and wife or significant others, I thought I’d talk of a different kind today - love for our
Arkansas State Parks. The Arkansas Parks and Tourism Department receives emails and
Facebook posts from people all the time that want to tell us about their favorite park or a wonderful experience.
I thought I would share a few of their thoughts with you.
“We love all the state parks here. We love the programs that the Park Rangers put on for the people. I would have to say so far that Lake Ouachita is one of our favorites because of the Eagle tours and the Fall Foliage tours that they put on. And even in the other State Parks the Movie nights or the Junior Park Ranger programs or the Dutch oven workshops or the kayak tours or the... Keep up the excellent work!!”
“My favorite State Park is Woolly Hollow. Small, personal, clean, quiet.....We have great family memories there, and even though it isn't very far from home, it was like being hundreds of miles away in the beauty, natural world of Arkansas as only Arkansas can be! I LOVE this place!!!”
“LOVE Mather Lodge! Was snowed in up there many years ago - turned 2 nights into 4. With the snow and ice, it was transformed into one of the most beautiful places I've ever been! Every Arkansan needs to spend at least one weekend in a cabin at one of our parks!”
Now go make your own great outdoor memories and take great pride in The Natural State. I’d love to hear about your favorite park or experience, so feel free to let me know where your love lies. Some of my most treasured memories are of our entire family – including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins – camping at Petit Jean State Park.
“Arkansas State Parks. Aren’t You Glad We’ve Got ‘Em!”
Fitness Fix: Nation's Top Riders Sign On For Spa City Six Hour Mt. Bike Race
February 9, 2010 12:00 AM
Zoie Clift
travelarkansas@gmail.com
I just got word that two of
the nations top-rated riders have signed up to appear at the USA Cycling
Mountain Bike National Race Calendar event Feb. 27-28 at Cedar Glades Park in
Hot Springs. USA Cycling is the governing body for Olympic, amateur and
professional mountain bike racing in the nation.
The first rider is John
(Fuzzy) Mylne of Arcata, CA, who rides for the Niner Cycling Team. Last year he
set a course record of 80 miles in 6 hours and 20 minutes. The other rider is Rebecca Rusch of
Ketchum Idaho. She is returning to defend the course record she set last year
of 70 miles in 6 hours and 10 minutes. Her resume includes three Solo 24
Hour World Championship titles and a win at the Leadville 100.
Racers in the endurance
division of The Spa City Six Hour Mt. Bike Race will compete on a 10-mile
mountain bike track and work to complete the most number of laps in six hours.
The race will have categories for individual riders and two or three-person
teams.
Two competitions will be
offered over the weekend: The mountain bike race on the 27th (which
is part of the Arkansas Marathon Mt. Bike Series), and the Du It In the Dirt
Off-Road Duathlon on the 28th. The Duathlon consists of a two-mile trail run, a
10-mile mountain bike run and another second two-mile trail run. The weekend is
being billed as The Spa City Extreme Weekend.
For entry information,
visit DLT website at
www.DLTmultisport.com or contact Fred Phillips at 870-247-6686. The below
shot of rider John ( Fuzzy) Mylne was taken by Vic Armijo.
Check here every Tuesday for a
fitness fix rundown. I’ll be on the lookout for running, cycling, tri’s,
adventure races, and other active outlets taking place around the state that I’ll
highlight each week. Keep me posted if you come across any races out there.
Museum Monday: The Mark Martin Museum
February 8, 2010 10:45 AM
I’ve loved museums my entire life…and after working in one for 10 years, that love only grew stronger. On Mondays, I will share some of my favorite museums located within the 26 counties of eastern Arkansas.
Kimberly J. Williams
START YOUR ENGINES!! Rev up for a journey through the life and career of a NASCAR legend, Arkansas’s own Mark Martin!
If you’ve never been to the Mark Martin Museum, plan a trip! You’ll experience life in the fast lane at the museum in Batesville, the racing champion’s hometown and where his racing career started. The state-of-the-art museum features several of Martin’s race-winning cars, trophies, racing suits and helmets, personal memorabilia, a video that details Martin’s award-winning career and a museum store offering authentic Mark Martin merchandise.
The Mark Martin Museum is a MUST for racing fans, but even
those who’ve never seen a race will be fascinated by the high-tech exhibits and videos. It’s a great museum that highlights the historic rise of one of The Natural State’s most well known natives.
The museum is located at 1601 Batesville Boulevard. There is no admission fee. To find out more, visit the museum’s Web site at www.MarkMartinMuseum.com or phone 800-566-4461.
Oaklawn Announces News on $5 million Purse
February 8, 2010 12:00 AM
Zoie Clift
travelarkansas@gmail.com
A potential April 3 match-up
at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs between Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and unbeaten champion
Zenyatta will make some racing fans very happy. Oaklawn President Charles Cella recently announced the Grade
1 Apple Blossom Handicap would have its purse bumped from $500,000 to $5
million if both horses run and the race would be lengthened from 1 1/16 miles
to a mile-and-one-eighth. If either fails to enter, the Apple Blossom will
revert back to a $500,000 race.
Rachel Alexandra and
Zenyatta were unanimous Eclipse Award winners in their respective divisions
last year and were the only finalists for The Eclipse Award for Horse of the
Year. Rachel Alexandra was named Horse of Year.
If all comes together, the
$5 million purse will be the largest purse for a filly and mare race in the
history of North American Thoroughbred racing.
Events Ahead: Tyson Invitational
February 8, 2010 12:00 AM
Grab your planner when you join me each Monday because I’ll be previewing upcoming events that you won’t want to miss.
Jill M. Rohrbach
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
The annual
Tyson Invitational brings some of the biggest names in professional and collegiate track and field to the City of
Fayetteville. The event takes place this Friday, Feb. 12 at the Randal Tyson Track Center. The men’s shot put, women’s pole vault and many other events will be highlighted, as will many of the nation’s top collegiate teams, including the Arkansas Razorback men’s and women’s track and field squads.
This is a great event for a group of friends or a family. Last year, after my husband and I took our kids to this it sparked weeks of track meets in our house. The kids got their cap gun so we could shoot it in the air to start the races. Sometimes they raced each other (we have two boys) and sometimes they wanted to race us.
Phone 800-766-4626 for more information.
TGIF: Let's Get Artsy
February 5, 2010 12:00 AM
Friday blogs are a mix of things instead of fitting a theme like my other blog days. Most of the time it will be event oriented and other times just something I needed to share.
Jill M. Rohrbach
Do you love original art? Here are upcoming events whether you want to view art, buy art, or produce art. Or maybe you want to do all three!
Engaging Hands, Creative Minds is the winter exhibit on view now until mid-March at Fresh Air Art Gallery in
Clinton. It includes works by 10 artists with more than 300 collective years of perfecting their crafts. Glassblowers, potters, sculptors, bead makers, jewelers, and photographers have come together for this show. The gallery is located at 358 Main Street. For more information call Carol Corning at 501-745-2266 or visit
www.freshairyoga.org.
The Arkansas Craft Guild is now taking artists applications to exhibit in the Guild's Spring Show set for May 13-15 at the Clarion Hotel in Bentonville. There will be a VIP Preview on Thursday the 13th from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Show hours on Friday the 14th will be from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Saturday the 15th from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The deadline for applications has been extended to March 15th. A detailed standards document is available on the Guild website at
www.arkansascraftguild.org For more information visit:
arkansascraftguild.org/springshow.
The
Eureka Springs
School of the Arts
class schedule is now available. Summer classes will begin May 14 and run through Aug. 6. Fall classes run from Sept. 10 through Oct. 10. Most classes are five days in length and include: Masters/Class Portraits in oil taught by Kevin Kresse of Little Rock, and New Ideas for the Traditional Basket taught by re-known Huntsville basket maker Leon Niehues. Sessions will also be held in off-loom weaving, watercolors, bookmaking, figure drawing, clay hand-built forms, and many other subjects that range from beginning to advanced levels. Youth sessions for ages 11 through 17 and 7 through 10 years-of-age are also offered. See the detailed schedule at
www.esartschool.org/and phone 479-253-5384 for more information.
Geocaching Friday: Pocahontas
February 5, 2010 12:00 AM
On Fridays, I’ll share some of my favorite geocaching spots throughout The Natural State. Even if you’re not a cacher, the Friday blogs will feature towns and attractions throughout the eastern section of Arkansas…perfect for a weekend trip!
Kimberly J. Williams
Some of you may be asking…”What is geocaching?” That’s a legitimate question!
Geocaching is, in the simplest terms, a high-tech scavenger hunt using a GPS unit. At this given moment, there are more than 980,000 located around the world. So how do you find a geocache? You visit www.geocaching.com to find coordinates of hidden caches near you. You put those coords into your GPS…and off you go! Once you arrive at the designated location, it’s not necessarily EASY to find the cache. Caches range in difficulty and size and sometimes take a little (or a LOT!) of hunting. I once explained caching to my best friend’s six-year-old as a lot like Easter egg hunting! You can find more info on geocaching by clicking here. And if you have specific questions, feel free to email me.
Over the past few years, Pocahontas has become one of my favorite places to visit…and geocache! As of today, there are 43 separate caches located within 10 miles of Pocahontas. For any of you cachers, you know that’s a great number and a wonderful opportunity for a road trip!
Pocahontas is one of Arkansas’s most historic towns. The downtown area was recently designated as a National Historic Commercial District. The historic downtown is comprised of buildings that date back to 1873. Downtown Pocahontas is one of the best-preserved examples of Victorian-era architecture in
Arkansas.
While downtown, you’ll also find the Randolph County Heritage Museum, Futrell Pharmacy, Black River Beads and Pottery and the Randolph Music Theater. Nearby, along the banks of the Black River, is the Civil War River Walk Memorial Trail. During the month of February, the Eddie Mae Herron Center is hosting special Black History Month lectures, demonstrations and events. Davidsonville Historic State Park is a must-see while in the area. For theater buffs, check out the upcoming shows at the Imperial Dinner Theatre. Pocahontas is also located along the recently designated Rock and Roll Highway 67.
So this weekend, why not head out and try to find a couple of caches? I might just see you there!!
Brau Haus Gets Nod From Draft Magazine
February 5, 2010 12:00 AM
Zoie Clift
travelarkansas@gmail.com
Draft, known as the
beer enthusiasts magazine, recently gave a shout out to Brau Haus in Hot
Springs in its rundown of the 150 Best Bars of 2009. As they said, they scoured the country from Alaska to Hawaii
and Portland, Maine to Portland, Ore., to find the bars where one is guaranteed
to sip unmatched suds.
Here’s what Noah Davis of
Draft writes about the spot:
Old World beer is alive and
well at Hot Springs Brau Haus, an almost unlikely German beer joint in the
heart of Arkansas. Although the bar only features a few, all-Spaten taps, it
more than makes up for the limited draft selection with nearly 50 German,
Belgian, Austrian, and Dutch bottled brews. The lineup includes celebrated
breweries like Ayinger, Chimay, and Paulaner, but also lesser exposed brands
like Corsendonk Pale Ale, Dinkelacker Stuttgard Dunkel, and Kozel Dark. Enjoy
the suds alongside authentic sauerbraten, knackwurst, and schnitzel.?801
Central, Ave., 501.624.7866
Heart Healthy: Spring Lake Trail and Oakridge Mountain Bike Trail
February 4, 2010 12:00 AM
My Thursday blogs are all about being Heart Healthy. It’s a new year, after all, and I’m sure many of us have made a resolution to get fit – to make a change.
Jill M. Rohrbach
The nice thing about taking advantage of our
Arkansas State Parks is that not only do they have great trails systems to help us get fit while enjoying nature, they also have other attractions that add to the visit.
Mammoth Spring State Park in
Mammoth Spring and
Bull Shoals-White River State Park in
Bull Shoals are great examples. I’m featuring trails in these two parks this week to provide an easy trail for those just getting started, and a moderate trail for those that want to sweat a bit - hiking or biking. Here's how the state parks division profiles them:
Mammoth Spring State Park
Spring Lake Trail
Length: 2/3 mile
Time: 1/2 - 3/4 hour
Difficulty: Easy
This loop trail is accessible from most of the park's facilities. The park's feature attraction is Mammoth Spring, the largest spring in Arkansas and a National Natural Landmark. Other attractions include a train depot museum, a walkway across the dam and an out-of-service hydroelectric station.
Location: East off U.S. 63 at the intersection of Hwy. 9 within the city limits of Mammoth Spring
For Information: Park Superintendent, P.O. Box 36, Mammoth Spring, AR, 72554, (870) 625-7364
mammothspring@arkansas.com
Bull Shoals-White River State Park
Oakridge Mountain Bike
TrailLength: 3 miles
Time: 1-2 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Constructed by the Bull Shoals-Lakeview Rotary Club, this multi-use tril offers both hikers and mountain bikers access to remote areas of te park. Trh trail traverses the oak-hickory upland forest for a unique walking or riding experience. Along the trail are creek crossings, dirt roads, open meadows, long downhills and taxing uphills. Depending on the direction of travel, the loop trail allows users to choose from two levels of difficulty: Clockwise (marked with blue blazes) - moderately difficult with strenuous uphill slopes. Counter-clockwise (marked with green blazes) - moderately easy. Note: Rental bikes are available at the Camper Registration Center in the park. Bicycle helmets are strongly recommended.
Location: From Mountain Home, travel six miles north on Ark. 5, then go eight miles west on Ark. 178. Or, from U.S. 62 at Flippin, travel 10 miles on State Highway 178E to the park. Bull Shoals-White River State Park, 153 Dam Overlook Lane, Bull Shoals, AR 72619
For Information: Park Superintendent, 129 Bull Shoals Park, Lakeview, AR, 72642, (870) 431-5521
bullshoalswhiteriver@arkansas.com
Living Legends Tour Slated for Verizon Arena
February 4, 2010 12:00 AM
Two of country music’s biggest stars – George Strait and Reba McEntire – along with special guest Lee Ann Womack – will be in concert March 6 at the Verizon Arena. Ticket prices are $91.25 and $81.25 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster and its outlets, the arena box office and by phone by calling 800-745-3000.
Celebrate 100 Years of Boys Scouts
February 3, 2010 3:00 PM
If you’d like to have a good time and help celebrate one of the country’s legendary organization, then make plans to be at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock on Saturday. Arkansas’s Quapaw Council is hosting a gala at 2 p.m. and wants everyone to join them. On the agenda are special guests, music and a scouting re-dedication.
Prior to the 2 p.m. event, there will be scout activities and displays on the lawn of the Old State House Museum, just down the block from the convention center. A museum new exhibit, entitled
100 Years of Scouting: Celebrating the Adventure & Continuing the 
Journey
debuts as a part of the special event. This traveling exhibit from the Boy Scouts of America is
open from February 6 to May 1 and is free.
Successful Arkansas Boat and RV Shows Defy Economy
February 3, 2010 12:06 PM
The continuing popularity of boat and RV shows in Arkansas prove that, no matter what the economy, Arkansans are not going to stop enjoying the outdoor bounty of The Natural State. The Arkansas Marine Expo, now 28 years old, was a big hit, according to sponsor Ken Griffey. The show, which was January 22-24 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, attendance was up by 13% with dealers reporting good, strong boat sales.” Griffey believes this emphatic response is a good indicator of an improving economy, both over all and for the recreation industry.
Coming up soon is the
Arkansas RV Show, scheduled for
February 12-14 at
the Statehouse Convention Center. This annual event is in its 24
th year. Shoppers can choose from hundreds of the latest recreational vehicles and visit with vendors showcasing everything from campground information to RV accessories.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, children age 12 and under are free. For more information, contact Ken Griffey at 501-225-6177.
After you’ve visited the show and gotten all revved up, go to
www.Arkansas.com and order a 2010 Arkansas Vacation Kit. In it you’ll find an Arkansas Tour Guide, an Arkansas Adventure Guide, which includes campground information, a Calendar of Events, and an Arkansas State Parks brochure, which also has campground information.
What is your favorite Arkansas campground? Share it with our readers by leaving a comment below.
The Mississippi River Trail
February 3, 2010 12:00 AM
Zoie Clift
travelarkansas@gmail.com
10 states. 1 River. The
Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is a bicycling route that travels from the
headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Delta at
the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. It is a 3,000-mile system of bicycle-friendly
roads and multi-use pathways that connects 10 states, the cities of
Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans, and hundreds of smaller towns
along the way. The Arkansas section of the trail currently traverses Delta
country and more routes are being planned. Bob Robinson recently wrote a
guidebook for the trail that provides route information broken into 100 mile
segments. For more details on the trail and the guidebook visit www.mississippirivertrail.org.
Wine Wednesday: Mount Bethel Winery
February 3, 2010 12:00 AM
My blog each Wednesday is going to discuss the wine offerings of Arkansas from individual vineyards, wines, festivals, wine-infused events and more.
Jill M. Rohrbach
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
Owned by Eugene and Peggy Post, the setting for
Mount Bethel Winery in
Altus is a quaint, native rock structure in a farm setting. While Mount Bethel Winery received its wine permit in 1956, the vineyards, winery and home on the current winery’s land date back to Joe Post, eldest son of Jacob Post who emigrated from Germany to the area in 1880. Other descendants of Jacob Post run nearby
Post Familie Winery. Mount Bethel is the original location of the Post Familie Winery, which moved after acquiring the Altus Cooperative Winery. Mount Bethel is now also in the hands of a fourth generation descendant of Joe Post with Michael Post, son of Eugene and Peggy, as the vintner and manager of the winery.
I spent some time in the Mount Bethel tasting room one afternoon and had as much fun exploring the wines as I did hearing the family members tell stories about the wines, wine labels, and family life in the winery. You’ll love the intimate, family feel.
Mount Bethel vints classic wines such as Merlot, Cabernet and Chardonnay, native Arkansas varieties such as the Cynthiana and Muscadine, and specializes in fruit wines such as blackberry, blueberry, elderberry, peach, strawberry and wild plum.
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Tours available upon request. 5014 Mount Bethel Drive in Altus; (479) 468-2444;
http://mountbethel.com. Just off Ark. 64, approximately 1/4 mile east of Altus. Only 6 miles from Interstate 40, approximately 30 minutes drive from Fort Smith and less than 2 hours drive from Little Rock.
It’s worth the trip.
Let the Good Times Roll in Historic Argenta
February 2, 2010 11:00 AM
Kerry Kraus
Don your purple, green and gold and head to downtown
North Little Rock on
February 15 for the
Krewe of Barkus First annual Mardi Gras Party. The king and queen of the ball will be grand marshals for what is being billed as the world’s smallest Mardi Gras parade. The Cajun-themed menu at the
Starving Artist Café includes gumbo, jambalaya, soaked salad, and red beans and rice prepared by Chef Jason Morrell. Bob Boyd Sounds provide the New Orleans-style entertainment.
While you’re having a good time, you can also help a worthy cause. Donations made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County
are going to be matched by the Argenta Downtown Council, up to $200. Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
MERCI et C’EST TOUT!!!!
Back to Nature: Migrating Birds at Mount Nebo
February 2, 2010 12:00 AM
My Tuesday blogs are dedicated to experiencing the great outdoors. I’ll feature anything from park events to Natural State destinations worth seeing. Join me each week to get back to nature.
Jill M. Rohrbach
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
Head to
Mount Nebo State Park in
Dardanelle this weekend, Feb. 5-7, for three days dedicated to birds. The annual event is called Migrating Through the River Valley and includes various birding programs suited for any age. The Arkansas River Valley is one of the best places in Arkansas to see winter birds. Admission is free. Contact the park at 479-229-3655 for a detailed schedule. There are, of course, plenty of other naturific things to do at Nebo.
Located atop 1,350-foot Mount Nebo near Dardanelle in Yell County, the 2,984-acre park contains a park visitor center, a campground with bathhouse, picnic sites, a large group pavilion, standard group pavilions, swimming pool, playgrounds, tennis courts, and ball field. Ten cozy, rustic-style, park cabins constructed of native stone and logs by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression offer expansive views of the Arkansas River Valley. The park also has four modern cabins.
The mixture of the park setting and privately-owned homes on top of the mountain invoke a small-town America experience. The roads on top of the mountain loop back on each other. They beckon visitors to take leisurely walks and slow drives with the added bonus that most drivers aren’t frustrated with anybody taking a “Sunday drive” approach.
The setting dictates a feeling of community and belonging. Even the ubiquitous deer inhabiting the mountaintop seem to feel it. In the safe habitat of the park, they make themselves at home, grazing in backyards and along the roadside as well as in the more dense woods penetrated by the 14 miles of park hiking trails. The deer stare at drivers and pedestrians passing by, who in turn often stop to stare back. There is a sense of place within Mother Nature for all living creatures.
Popular activities on Mt. Nebo include hiking, hayrides, and hang gliding. Hayrides are given on the mountaintop roads as well as on the Bench Trail which affords views of spring flowers or autumn colors and remnants of old homes from the 1800s.
This second oldest park in the state parks system is located at #1 State Park Drive, Dardanelle, AR 72834. Contact the park staff by phone at 479-229-3655 or by email at mountnebo@arkansas.com. Find out more about Mt. Nebo and other state parks at
www.arkansasstateparks.com. The park is seven miles west of Dardanelle on Ark. 155. [NOTE: Ark. 155 zigzags up the mountain and includes hairpin curves. Trailers over 24 feet should not attempt the climb.]