Geocaching Friday: Searcy
March 5, 2010 11:30 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
It’s Friday, so we’re talking geocaching!! The temperatures are rising, the sun is shining and it’s going to be a beautiful weekend…the perfect time to do some
geocaching!
Today’s town is a smorgasbord for cachers…beginners and longtime hunters alike.
Searcy has an amazing 306 geocaches within a 10-mile radius. Yes…I said 306!! I’ve done some caching in Searcy but not NEARLY enough!
I have to say that caching is only as good as the cachers who plant and take care of the hides. Searcy and the nearby area have a group of dedicated cachers who not only enjoy FINDING caches but HIDING them as well.
The wonderful thing about caching in Searcy is that, regardless of your experience level, there are tons of caches to find…skirt lifters, red men, magnetics. If you’re in the mood to challenge yourself, Searcy caches are a great place to start.
And there’s so much to do in Searcy in addition to the geocaching. March 9 starts
Center on the Square’s production of
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. While in town, don’t miss Searcy’s scenic downtown, featuring shops and restaurants and the beautiful
White County Courthouse, which claims the distinction of the being the oldest courthouse in Arkansas still being used for its original
purpose.
Harding University is located in Searcy and is home to the
Stevens Art Center and the
Ulrey Performing Arts Center.
So that’s our caching community for today! I hope you get out this weekend, enjoy this beautiful weather and do a little caching along the way! Happy Friday, everyone!!
Wye Mountain Daffodil Alert!
March 5, 2010 10:00 AM
Kerry Kraus
According to the local contact for the always-anticipated
Wye Mountain Daffodil Festival, the daffodils should be in bloom around
March 13. Updates will be reported to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism as are warranted; call 501-682-777 to get the latest report.
In addition to the seven acres of daffodils featuring 30 varieties, there is going to be arts, crafts, barbecue, cobblers, beverages and more. Crafters will be on site through Easter Sunday. An area just for the purchase of daffodils is going to be available. Young and old alike enjoy the beauty of these eye-catching flowers.
This eagerly awaited harbinger of spring is held at the Wye Mountain United Methodist Church with proceeds benefiting the church. It is located at 1402 Ark. 113 South in Bigelow.
Heart Healthy: Highpoint Hike
March 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
A hike to Signal Hill atop Mount Magazine is a must-do because at 2,753 feet above mean sea level, it is the highest point in Arkansas. The trail is located in
Mount Magazine State Park, 17 miles south of
Paris. At the top is a 400-square-foot stone map of The Natural State. While Arkansas State Parks ranks the trail’s difficulty level as moderate, it is a well-groomed, gentle forest walk. At a length of 1.5 miles, it connects Cameron Bluff Campground with the Mossback Ridge Trail and
The Lodge at Mount Magazine.
This weekend on Saturday, March 6 you can take this hike with a park interpreter. On this free guided hike you’ll likely encounter wildflowers, fiddleheads, mushrooms, mammal tracks, and other signs of spring. You should bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This isn’t the only time you can
experience the trail with a knowledgeable guide. The park offers many
events and programs.
Events Ahead: Fire and Snakes at Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area
March 1, 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.comIf you’re in northwest Arkansas this week, don’t be concerned if you see smoke on the horizon to the east of
Rogers.
Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area will conduct a prescribed burn on about 40 acres in the Lookout area this week from March 2-5. The location of the burn is near the intersection of Ark. 12 and Ark. 127. The park staff will be burning the open fields in the area.
The burns are conducted by specially-trained crews, skilled in fire management operations. Safety is emphasized in all phases of the fire management with local fire protection representatives involved in the planning process.
The burn is planned to be March 2, but the date could change due to weather parameters, including temperature, wind speed, and fuel moistures.
HSP-CA manages over 12,000 acres of land in southeastern Benton County and the prescribed burn is part of management activities at the site. Park neighbors near the controlled burn areas are being notified.
The primary reasons for this burn are for hazardous fuels reduction, protection of the wildland urban interface (the point where development meets the forest), maintaining healthy vegetation and benefitting sensitive species. If you have any questions or would like additional information call 479-789-5000.
Also at Hobbs this week will be local snake expert Devin Hummel. He returns to the park March 6 to give a 2 p.m. program at the park’s visitor center. Hummel’s “Reptiles of Northwest Arkansas” program is designed for kids and adults alike. He begins with a short PowerPoint program highlighting northwest Arkansas reptiles followed by a live presentation of his scaled friends. Call 479-789-5006 for details.
Geocaching Friday: Arkansas State Parks ParkCache Program
February 26, 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
Today’s Geocaching Friday blog is a little different! Since I started blogging about geocaching on Fridays, I’ve discussed specific communities and their caches. But not today!
Most of my blogs discuss the Arkansas Delta and North Central Ozarks. Today, our geocaching blog covers the entire state. In July 2008, Arkansas State Parks kicked off the ParkCache program in celebration of the 75th anniversary of our state parks. A special ParkCache was placed in each of the 52 parks. Each cache contains a special clue. After finding all 52 caches and gathering the codes, cachers calculate the codes to form a special coordinate…leading to the final ParkCache cache.
Since the ParkCache began, the individual caches have been found over 5,000 times. The final cache has been found a total of 26 determined cachers. The final cache contains special Arkansas State Parks Geocoins honoring the anniversary. Cachers who find the coins don't keep the coin...they place them in different caches and let the coins "travel" from place to place. These coins have traveled as far as Alaska and South America since being found. One family completed all 53 caches in one week…and made the trip their summer vacation!
Many Arkansas State Parks have more than one cache hidden on the grounds. So regardless of where you are in The Natural State, there’s a ParkCache near you. To find out more about the Arkansas State Parks ParkCache program, click
here.
So the next time you’re headed toward one of Arkansas’s beautiful state parks, you’ll need to grab your GPS and do some caching!
Have a great weekend!!
Friday Roundup: Anime Comes to Bentonville
February 26, 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
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
Animé is a style of animation originating in Japan. If you’ve ever seen Hello Kitty or Speed Racer, you’ve seen Animé . The Festival is an opportunity for those who are versed in Animé to come together, share their love for the genre and encourage others to get involved. Many of the members will be in costume as their favorite characters. I bet my kids would love seeing that.
The festival kicks off with a free party from 8 p.m. to midnight on March 5. This year’s guests include Vic Mignogna, Chris Ayres, Todd Haberkorn, Wendy Powell, and Maria Vu. Special events include Cosplay, tea parties, a concert with Vic Mignogna, a dance-off, Masque-rave, live music, fan panels, guest panels, autograph sessions, miniature painting, raver panels, a Date Auction, a Charity Auction, Karaoke, game shows, live-action chess match, Q & As with industry guests, and more. Events will occur 24 hours a day for gamers who can’t get enough.
Organizers estimate 800-1100 participants at this year’s event, and the host hotel is offering a special rate of $79 per night for convention participants. Participants can also contact the
Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau at 479-271-9153 for additional lodging and dining information.
Back to Nature: Guided Hikes On and Off the Beaten Path
February 23, 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
If you like hiking, but don’t know where to go, don’t like deciphering guidebooks, or don’t have someone to hike with, a new business called
On and Off the Beaten Path offers tours to address those issues.
The tours consist of guided hikes in the
Ozark National Forest and
Buffalo National River corridor in northern Arkansas. They are led by Daniel Knoll, Tracy White Buffalo-Nicholson and Nathan Metcalf, who together offer over 50 years of combined wilderness experience.
With a love of hiking, Knoll and White Buffalo-Nicholson started a hiking club three years ago in an effort to build a group of people with which to hike. After leading many of those expeditions, someone suggested to Knoll that he guide people for a living.
The idea flourished between Knoll, Metcalf and White Buffalo-Nicholson, who have been working for the past year and a half to establish their new business. On and Off the Beaten Path has its concessionaire license from the National Park Service to guide in the Buffalo National River area. There are more than 100 miles of maintained trails within the park.
The
tours offered change with the seasons, and some involve bushwhacking, meaning there is no established trail. On and Off the Beaten Path offers a Fall Color Tour and a Waterfall Tour. The group also guides hikes to Hawksbill Crag, Pedestal Rocks, Sam’s Throne, Buzzard Roost, Natural Bridge, Goat Trail, and Tea Table Bluffs.
White Buffalo-Nicholson added that the tours are flexible. “We cater to their personal ability as best we can.”
Tours start at $25 per person, with some costing $45 per person. “It’s affordable. It’s a mini vacation in a day for very little cost,” said White Buffalo-Nicholson.
The price includes provision of a daypack containing basic essentials, such as a small first aid kit, rain gear, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, bottled water, and a plastic waste bag. Knoll said purchasing hiking gear is an investment, so this lets people find out if they like hiking before buying equipment. The guides carry additional supplies, including navigational equipment, rope, insect repellent, poison ivy wash, sunscreen, maps, permits, and first aid and emergency equipment.
The guides are interested in helping kids discover what nature has to offer. In this era of technology, kids are often enticed to be more sedentary in front of televisions, computers, and video games rather than exploring the outdoors.
For adults, Knoll said the rewards of hiking are not only exercise, but that it is also a tool to curb stress. “You lose yourself out there,” he explained.
To find out more about On and Off the Beaten Path, visit
Hikeitup.net. The Web site contains information about what to wear, what to bring, inclement weather policy and hiking rules.
Museum Monday: The Old Independence Regional Museum
February 22, 2010 3:15 PM
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
The
Old Independence Regional Museum in
Batesville interprets and preserves the history of 12 counties in northeastern Arkansas, parts of which comprised Independence County when it was established in 1820.
When you arrive at the Old Independence Regional Museum, the artifacts and exhibits aren’t the only historical items you’ll see. The building that houses the museum is historical as well. Built in 1936, the native stone building
was a Works Progress Administration project and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Inside the museum, you’ll find exhibits focusing on the history of the 12-county region. Exhibit areas include the
Shawnee Room, where visitors can learn about the earliest residents of the area that would eventually become Independence County. Discover the difficulties of travel in the area before railroads and automobiles in the exhibit
Regions on the Move.
Where the Delta Meets the Ozarks focuses on the 12 counties that originally formed Independence County, the history of the area, and the people who call the region home. In 2009, the museum added an exhibit
entitled
Living Off The Land: Season By Season. The exhibit focuses on how residents relied on the land, used the land, and adapted the natural environment around them to meet some of their most basic living needs.
The Old Independence Regional Museum is located at 380 South Ninth Street in Batesville. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1:30-4 p.m. For more information, visit the OIRM Web site at
www.OIRM.org or phone 870-793-2121.
Events Ahead: Spring Break
February 22, 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
Arkansas State Parks have plenty of fun scheduled to help kids and their families celebrate Spring Break.
Two lakeside parks offer Spring Break programs for kids and families. Join park interpreters at
Lake Dardanelle State Park in
Russellville during the week of March 13-28 for programs and activities that feature nature and the signs of spring. Admission is free. Call 479-967-5516 for details.
More Spring Break adventures take place at
Lake Fort Smith State Park near
Mountainburg on March 20-28. Families
are invited to explore the scenic beauty of the park and activities such as nature crafts, hikes, kayaking, boat tours, and more. Call 479-369-2469 for details.
Devil’s Den State Park in
West Fork is encouraging people to turn off cell phones and leave their gadgets and gizmos at home during the Spring Break
Celebration set for March 19-28. Throughout this week, park interpreters will lead hikes, cave tours, pedal boat cruises and campfire talks. The event is free. Call 479-761-3325 for more information.
Friday Roundup: Buy a Season Pass to Ozark Folk Center
February 19, 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
A season pass gets you into the Craft Village and allows you to attend regular evening music concerts throughout the season. Celebrity Concerts are not included.
The season runs from April 16 through Oct. 31. The Craft Village is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday from April 16 through Sept. 30, except on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. On those holidays, the park is open Sunday and Monday also. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday during the month of October.
The passes may be purchased at the park or by calling (870) 269-3851. For a detailed schedule of music concerts and other events, visit
OzarkFolkCenter.com. Workshops are available throughout the year for many traditional crafts, music and herbs.
The mission of this state park is to preserve, perpetuate and interpret precious traditional folk arts. The Craft Village presents more than 20 different demonstrations of Ozark mountain pioneer crafts such as basket making, pottery, blacksmithing, quilting and broom making. Craft items are for sale both from the artisans directly and in the Homespun Gift Shop. The Village also contains an herb garden and children’s area. Music is a big part of this as well.
In addition to the Crafts Village and Music Theater, the Folk Center offers a full service restaurant open during the season from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Duplex-type cabins are available year round. The park also has convention and banquet facilities.
Heart Healthy: Races for Runners, Walkers & Bikers
February 18, 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
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
Do you have a competitive edge? Want to add that to your fitness routine? Or maybe you just need a goal to work toward? There are numerous races around the state each year. Some are associated with events, while others are an event all their own.
Here are a few worth taking note of:
28th annual Victorian Classic Road Race, 9 a.m., 10K Run, 2-Mile Fun Run and 2-Mile Walk on March 13 in Eureka Springs. Host hotel is the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks and will have parking for the races. To register or for more information, email victorianclassic@gmail.com, or go online at
Eurekarotary.org.
13th annual Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival on July 16. Mountain bike festival with competitive and non-competitive cycling events. Cross country, downhill, short track, observed trials, bike parade, film fest, fun rides and more. Largest event of its kind in the central United States. Cash and prizes. Fun for the whole family. For more information, call 479-422-7654; email drbike@cox.net, or visit
Fattirefestival.com.
14th annual Run for the Grapes 5K, 7 a.m. on Aug. 7 in Tontitown. The race is held in conjunction with the 112th Tontitown Grape Festival. A Kids Fun Run at 8 a.m. follows the main race. Pre-registration prior to Aug. 2 is $15 for the 5K and $8 for the Fun Run. For more information, call 479-718-2268, visit
Runforthegrapes.com or contact cnixon@ffbh.com.
If you want to find more races, events or festivals in the state, view the Calendar of Events on
Arkansas.com. You can search by category, city, keyword and more.
Back to Nature: Wild Cave Tour
February 16, 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
Blanchard Springs Cavern
Discovered in 1963, Blanchard Springs in
Mountain View is filled with unspoiled formations such as the 65-foot-high "The Column," as well as another huge formation named "The Flowstone." The cave was opened to the public in 1973. There are two guided walking tours that are well lighted along concrete paths with handrails. And then, there’s the Wild Cave Tour of the undeveloped section of the middle level of the cave.
Not designed to meet the expectations of an experienced wild caver, it’s a whopping adventure for amateur explorers. I’ve taken the tour twice and am overdue to go again. On the tour, you’ll encounter the Grand Canyon, U-shaped terrain of clay and rock with a vertical challenge like a half-pipe that skateboarders ride from side to side. You’ll be scrambling down one side and crawling up the other.
The “Subway,” a natural tunnel through the rock with a high arching ceiling, is easy to walk through. I marvel at the time and force it took to carve it out.
You will use the knee pads they will give you. Be ready to crawl about the length of two bowling alley lanes in a space offering about two to four feet of clearance at various points.
The ultimate goal is a view of “The Titans.” The path to get there includes a rocky crag with a drop-off to water on the left. I found this to be the scariest part when I took the trip. The Titans are two towering stalagmites, reaching 80 to 100 feet from the bottom of the cave toward the top, like totem poles symbolizing a mysterious place. One almost touches the ceiling while the other falls short. In hues of white, amber and blue-gray their beauty is indescribable.
My other favorite part of the trip is eating lunch in the recesses of the earth. There are plenty of beautiful cave formations. On one trip I also saw delicate bat bones that were thinner than toothpicks.
No matter what time of year, this is a great way to get in touch with the underground realm of nature.
Hard hats, kneepads, gloves, lights, and belts are provided, along with a souvenir t-shirt. The Wild Cave Tour is limited to a minimum of three but no more than 12 people per tour. Participants must be at least 10 years old. A responsible adult must accompany children 10 to 12 years old. The Wild Cave Tour is available by reservation only and is open every day from April through October. From November through March, it is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Geocaching Friday: Rohwer and Jerome
February 12, 2010 9:44 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
This week’s blog actually features two locations, both of which, I’m willing to guess, very few people are familiar with the history surrounding them: Jerome and Rohwer.
When we started the 70th Anniversary Great River Road Geocaching Project in Arkansas almost two years ago, one of the first locations we planted a cache was in Jerome. Since the cache was first found, we’ve been receiving comments regarding how many people didn’t realize the history behind the locations. A cache was placed later at Rohwer in an effort to bring more people to the historic site.
After the United States entered World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt created the War Relocation Authority, creating 10 sites throughout the country to incarcerate Japanese-Americans. Rohwer and Jerome were established in March 1942 and served as the War Relocation Authority’s easternmost camp sites. The two camps would eventually house 16,000 people.
Jerome, located in Drew County, operated the shortest amount of time of any of the 10 camps, from Oct. 6, 1942, to June 30, 1944. All that remains of the camp is a smokestack from the camp’s laundry remains. A granite marker commemorates the camp’s location.
Rohwer is located in Desha County. The camp was opened Sept. 18, 1942, and did not close until Nov. 30, 1945, making it one of the last camps to cease operation. The location has several commemorative markers and a small cemetery. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
That’s the thing about caching, my friends. It’s a fun activity…but I can almost guarantee you’ll learn something you didn’t know! Happy caching and traveling throughout The Natural State!!
Friday Roundup: Coen Brothers To Remake "True Grit"
February 12, 2010 12:00 AM
This spring, the Coen Brothers are slated to start filming “True Grit,” a remake of the classic late 60s movie that starred John Wayne. The story is of two deputy marshals, one named Rooster Cogburn, who help a young girl find the man who murdered her father and avenge his death. The release date is Dec. 25.
This is a story with Arkansas roots. The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Charles Portis. Portis was from Hamburg, Arkansas, and his character Rooster Cogburn was patterned after a real deputy marshal from Fort Smith’s frontier days.
Fort Smith is full of Wild West stories that make its history and heritage lively and exciting. The keeper of some of that history for the past 100 years is the
Fort Smith Museum of History. It celebrates its centennial this year with special exhibits and events, the first of which kicks off today with a Mardi Gras fundraiser.
The museum offers permanent and traveling exhibits and programs, and an audio tour. Focusing on life on the frontier and the Civil War and reconstruction, it also houses an old-time working soda fountain, antique vehicles, home appliances, toys, furniture and hundreds of photos that detail life in Fort Smith in the 1900s. The facility touches on World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl. Special exhibits planned for the year include: “Bass Reeves and Fort Smith’s African-American History;” “American Indian Realism;” “The Fort in Flight: Bud Mars and the City’s Aviation History;” “Boom and Slash! Weapons from the Museum Collection;” and, “Return to the Commissary.”
If you haven’t been to the museum, you should check it out. Or if you have been, this is a good year to revisit because of the special exhibits and events. And, of course, the fact that there is a soda fountain is a good reason to go too.
The operates Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 6-15, and free for children under 6. Admission is free to the lobby, where visitors can access the gift shop, pharmacy and soda fountain. It is fully handicapped-accessible using an elevator and ramps for easy access to all the exhibits. An entrance ramp is located at the South 4th Street entrance. The facility is available for group tours and for after-hours events by special arrangement. Visit the museum at 320 Rogers Ave. or phone 479-783-7841 for more information.
Click here to read an article about Fort Smith and the museum.
Honor President’s Day by Visiting a Presidential Place
February 11, 2010 10:44 AM
Kerry Kraus
In recognition of President’s Day, the Clinton Presidential Library will have free admission and audio tours narrated by President Clinton on February 15. The day also marks the opening of the newest exhibit, “Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection.” The collection features more than 200 pins, many of which were worn by the former Secretary of State to communicate a special message during her tenure. The exhibit is organized by the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After taking in the different displays, stop in at Forty Two, the on-site restaurant, for lunch between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The library is located at 1200 President Clinton Avenue in the River Market District in downtown Little Rock. The phone number is 501-374-4242.
Heart Healthy: Find a Trail
February 11, 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
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
Most of my hiking and backpacking experiences in Arkansas have taken place in the Buffalo National River area or in our state parks. So, I will have hiked some of the trails that I write about in my Heart Healthy blogs. But, by all means, not every trail I suggest will be one that I’ve actually had the pleasure of exploring.
This week as I searched for Heart Healthy ideas, I realized that some of you might be interested in knowing how to find trails and paths close to you or to where you are going. Here are some Web sites and books to help you find urban and remote paths.
Arkansas.com is, of course, a great resource. You’ll find much more here than just information on trails. Go to the home page, then scroll you mouse over Things To Do. Here you’ll find a guide to all kinds of physical activities such as rock climbing, canoeing/rafting/kayaking, biking, geocaching, golfing, hiking, hunting, water sports, and other adventure sports.
ArkansasStateParks.com lets you search hiking trails by difficulty level. Click
Trails under the Things To Do heading. It also highlights Hearth Healthy programs offered at each state park in the Calendar of Events.
Arkansas.gov contains a Community Resources page that includes
Trails for Life, a program of the Arkansas Department of Health. Here you can search for trails by type, region of the state, difficulty and county. Type includes: community walking trails, backpacking trails, Game and Fish trails, National Park Service trails, State Park trails, U.S. Forest Service trails, U.S. Corps of Engineers trails, and wilderness areas.
There are many, many other resources out there from guidebooks in print to page after page on the World Wide Web. But this list is plenty enough to get you started.
2010 Riverfest Changes
February 10, 2010 12:00 AM
Kerry Kraus
Memorial Day Weekend is still quite some time away but it’s never too early to start planning for your holiday weekend. If attending Riverfest in Little Rock and North Little Rock is on your agenda, then you need to know of a few changes that will take place this year.
Ticket prices are going up, with advance tickets now $15 instead of $12.50. Gate prices will increase from $25 to $30.
In addition, the North Little Rock side of the annual kick-off-to-summer event will have all free events but no headliner entertainment. Among the new activities will be the launching of hot air balloons, a 5K race/walk, and an entertainment stage.
Also new this year are two “pre-Riverfest” events taking place: a chalk art competition and a wine tasting. Both will be held on April 18 at the River Market Pavilions in downtown Little Rock.
Dates for 2010 Riverfest are May 28-30 and, as usual, the festivities will take place in Little Rock’s Riverfront Park and North Little Rock’s North Shore Riverwalk.
Go to
the Riverfest Web page to sign-up as a Facebook Fan or for Twitter updates.
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!”
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.
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!!
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
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.
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.]
Friday Roundup: Preservation in Boxley and at Shiloh Museum
January 29, 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. Today I’m all about preservation.
Jill M. Rohrbach
Boxley Community Building
Moments ago I received an email about saving a landmark located in one of the prettiest places in The Natural State. The
Buffalo National River is beautiful in its entirety, but I must admit to having an extra soft spot for the Ponca and Boxley Valley portion. Residents of the
Boxley community are trying to preserve their 100-year-old community building, which they say is one of the most photographed buildings along the Buffalo National River. The building has served as a school, church and community meeting place and is in need of some repairs and restoration. It is currently owned by the Boxley Baptist Church. If you’re interested in helping preserve some history, call Bill Cochrane at 870-861-5835, or send your contribution to Boxley Baptist Church, HC 70 Box 12,
Ponca AR 72670 and mark it for the restoration of the community building.
If you’re not familiar with this area, you need to change that. You’ll find pastoral beauty along the river corridor, a roaming elk herd that draws wildlife watchers and photographers,
canoeing opportunities, and amazing
hiking trails. (photo courtesy of Mike MCarthy)
Shiloh Museum
Speaking of preservation, that’s the specialty of the
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in
Springdale. Located at the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale, the Shiloh Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 750-8165.Check out these upcoming special events:
New Exhibit on Fancy Clothing
All Dressed Up, an exhibit of men’s, women’s, and children’s fancy clothing, will open at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History on Monday, Feb. 1. “The exhibit includes clothing worn by folks in Northwest Arkansas on special occasions,” said Carolyn Reno, museum collections manager. “It’s a wonderful variety of finery, such as an elegant tailor-made tuxedo, a stunning homemade prom dress, and a child’s beautiful blue sailor suit.” The exhibit will be on view through Jan. 22, 2011.
Caring for Heirloom Textiles
Shiloh Museum collections manager Carolyn Reno will present “Precious Threads: Preserving Heirloom Textiles,” Wednesday, Feb. 17 at noon. “I’ll share tips on how to care from treasured family garments—everything from wedding gowns to football letter jackets,” said Reno. The program is presented in conjunction with the museum’s newest exhibit, All Dressed Up.
Film on Women’s Suffrage Movement
Iron-Jawed Angels, a 2004 HBO film about the American women's suffrage movement in the 1910s starring Hillary Swank and Golden Globe winner Anjelica Huston, will be shown at the museum on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Heart Healthy: Devil’s Den State Park
January 28, 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
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
Devil’s Den State Park in
West Fork is a beautiful green space to explore. There are numerous trails for you to hike or bike this weekend during your heart healthy quest. There are also some fun programs to take advantage of this weekend. Check the park calendar of events for all
programs and dates.
Try Fun with GPS and use your global positioning system to go on a scavenger hunt of the park. Staff will give your coordinates that take you to some of the most impressive areas of Devil’s Den. Many points require moderately strenuous hikes to reach. Stop by the visitor center to get going. When you return with your completed form, you will be rewarded with more than just bragging rights! The activity is free and can be done on your own time frame.
When you’re at the visitor center, you can also pick up the brochure for the Self-Guided Civilian Conservation Corps Interpretive Trail. The Civilian Conservation Corps is responsible for creating many of the facilities and impressive structures in Devil's Den State Park. Take a step back into the lives of the young men that built this park as you venture on a 1/4-mile mile hike through the remnants of their camp. There’s no cost for this either.
Of course, if the weather in northwest Arkansas gets as bad as meteorologists are predicting you won’t want to drive the winding, hilly roads to the park, much less hike in that weather. Just file these heart healthy hike ideas away for warmer weather.
Back to Nature: Submit a Landscape Photo to Crystal Bridges at the Massey
January 26, 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
If you love the outdoors and you are a photographer, look through your photos for your best landscape shot.
Crystal Bridges at the Massey in
Bentonville is inviting residents and natives of Northwest Arkansas to submit photographs to “Looking at our Landscape,” a juried community photography exhibition to be held at the Massey from April 1 through May 31.
The deadline for submissions is Feb. 5. You can download an entry form from the Web site, www.crystalbridges.org, or email Lori.Johnson@crystalbridges.org for more information. I’m going through my photos this week to see what I have to enter – maybe one of my photos of the Buffalo National River or one of some Arkansas waterfalls.
If it’s too cold for you to get outdoors right now, get your nature fix by heading to the Massey to view the current exhibition, “Heroes of Horticulture,” which runs through March 21. Here’s the Massey’s description of what you’ll see: “Photographs of botanical survivors, from the gnarled, 50-foot-wide root system of an ancient fig tree to the dew-drenched petals of a rare tree peony, are featured in Heroes of Horticulture. Heritage sites from throughout the United States that are threatened by development, disease and the ravages of time have been documented by 12 renowned photographers and included in this traveling exhibition organized by the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in collaboration with The Cultural Landscape Foundation of Washington, D.C.” The Massey has a lot of great
exhibits and
programs for adults and children.
And just in case you aren’t familiar with this whole Crystal Bridges thing, let me explain. Crystal Bridges at the Massey allows visitors to follow the construction and development of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which is currently under construction. It features the latest architectural renderings, models and photographs detailing the progress of the project and showcases touring exhibitions. It is located just off the square in downtown Bentonville.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is envisioned as a premier art institution dedicated to American art and artists, learning and community gatherings. The museum will house a permanent collection of American art masterworks from the colonial era to modern day, and touring collections from national art institutions. A dynamic temporary exhibitions program will complement the holdings of the permanent collection. The museum takes its name from a natural spring on the museum’s 100-acre, wooded site. The building was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie.
It’s going to be incredible people. I can’t wait!
America's Boating Course Offered
January 25, 2010 4:00 PM
Kerry Kraus
It’s still winter but that doesn’t mean people aren’t already thinking about hitting the
water in Arkansas. To help prepare you for a safe and fun summer of water activities, the U.S. Coast Guard is holding an “America’s Boating Course” (ABC) class on Feb. 6 at Gander Mountain Sporting Store in North Little Rock.
The ABC class is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 6 and cost $25. The fee includes an instructional book, a CD and all class materials. Seven topics of boating “how-to” are covered and include:
Rules of the Road
Safe Boat Handling
Trailering
Legal Requirements
Aids to Navigation
Management of Vessel and Equipment
After the final exam, students earn a “certificate of completion” and an identification card. The certification is recognized by local, state and national enforcement organizations. It is also honored by most insurance companies when it comes to allowing a safety discount for individual boat owners.
Call 501-982-9207 to pre-register or you can register the day of the seminar. Contact Vice Commander Bob Donaldson with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for more details. Gander Mountain is located at 5450 Landers Road in North Little Rock.
Events Ahead: Navigation and Eagle Watching
January 25, 2010 12:00 AM
If you’re into navigation – a high tech or low tech version – or you like eagle watching,
Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area in
Rogers has some upcoming programs that fit those niches.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 30, a navigation course will be offered. The course will cover navigating the old-fashioned way with a map and compass, and using a hand held, global positioning system unit. Expert Mark Clippinger, the park superintendent, will tackle the low-tech map and compass portion of the class. Members of the award-winning Eureka Springs High School E.A.S.T. (Environmental and Spatial Technology) Lab will teach the high-tech GPS part of the day’s training. Bring your own GPS unit or borrow one of nine that the park has. Space is limited, and advanced booking is necessary. Call the Hobbs visitor center front desk at 479-789-5000 for reservations. The cost is $50, and includes handouts and lunch.
Also offered at the park are eagle watch cruises every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday through February. Call the park office for advanced reservations. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12.
According to park interpreters, there’s no need to shy away from the cruises if the weather isn’t sunny and warm. You see more Bald Eagles on overcast, rainy days because Bald Eagles don’t like to fly in that kind of weather. Instead they sit on their roosts, making it much easier for you to see and photograph them.
During last Saturday’s eagle watch cruise on the park’s new 28-foot pontoon boat 34 eagles were spotted on the 9 a.m. trip and 31 on the 3 p.m. trip. On the early trip a rare leucistic-feathered eagle was seen. This rare type looks like an albino. However, it isn’t really. Leucism is a condition characterized by pigment cell defects to skin, hair or feathers during development of animals and humans. So the eagle’s dark feathers ended up white. It is different from albinism in that it is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin.
Heart Healthy: Bentonville Half Marathon
January 21, 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. Start training for this half marathon now!
Jill M. Rohrbach
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
The Bentonville Half Marathon is set for March 13. Are you up for the challenge? You can also participate in the 5K or the Fun Run. The Fun Run is a one mile run for all ages.
The half marathon course starts just off the downtown square in
Bentonville and heads east on 2nd Street. Runners will turn north down J Street, east on Tiger Blvd., and head back southwest through Memorial Park. The route continues southward to SE 10th, then turns north snaking through Bentonville neighborhoods and continues north on Bella Vista Road, down Oakwood Road with a short jaunt on North Walton Blvd., eventually reaching the trailhead of the city’s urban trail system off North Walton. The course remains on the trail system passing by the
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art overlook and
Compton Gardens before finishing back on the square in front of the
Walmart Visitors Center.
You must be able to complete the 13.1 mile, half marathon course in four hours. If you need help training for the event, runners and walkers of all levels are encouraged to consult with Mike Rush and his staff on training regimens that are specifically tailored to their physical abilities. Rush Running is the official training headquarters for the Bentonville Half Marathon.
Walmart Stores, Inc. is the title sponsor for the half marathon. Other companies that have partnered with the event include Powerbar as the Half Marathon sponsor, and MGD 64 as the 5K sponsor. Tyson Foods is the Fun Run sponsor, and Timex is the official timing partner. As with most races, there is a charity component. Walmart Stores, Inc. designated the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank as its charity of choice and the Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the organization responsible for bringing this national racing series to the area, chose the Bentonville Public School Foundation as the second charity.
The day before the event, there will be a health and wellness expo at the
Clarion Hotel and Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m..
Heart Healthy: Battlefield Walking Tour
January 14, 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. Continuing to ease our way into health and wellness, here’s a light hike just to get you outside and moving. Enjoy the history bonus as well.
Jill M. Rohrbach
jillsjourneys@gmail.com
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in
Prairie Grove is recognized as one of America’s most intact Civil War battlefields. The park protects the battle site and interprets the Battle of Prairie Grove, where on Dec. 7, 1862, the Confederate Army of the Trans-Mississippi clashed with the Union Army of the Frontier in a day of fierce fighting resulting in about 2,700 casualties. The park also contains a museum, exhibits, picnic tables and playground, and provides tours and programs. Arkansas's largest battle reenactment takes place biennially on even-numbered years the first weekend of December.
Battlefield Walking Tour – Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
Take a walk along the Prairie Grove ridge from the visitor center to the Borden House where the heaviest local fighting occurred during the Civil War. A guide will offer details of the conflict, point out where significant events happened, and answer your questions along the way. Daily tours start from the Hindman Hall Museum at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours last about one hour. You can also take a self-guided walking tour of the one-mile Battlefield Trail, and travel the park’s five-mile driving tour.
Wonders of Winter Wildlife
January 12, 2010 12:00 AM
My Tuesday blogs are dedicated to experiencing nature. I’ll feature everything from park events to Natural State destinations worth seeing. Join me each week to get back to nature.
Jill M. Rohrbach
jillsjourneys@gmail.comWhatever you’re plans are for this weekend, make sure they include a visit to
Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area in
Rogers for the Wonders of Winter Wildlife program. Park staff members, Friends of Hobbs, and guest program presenters have scheduled a weekend of wildlife-oriented activities that begin Friday, Jan. 15 and run through Sunday, Jan. 17.
Here’s a detailed schedule from the park:
Friday, Jan. 152 p.m. Winter Wildlife Hike (Pigeon Roost Trail head)Bring some gorp (Good old raisons and peanuts) with you to the Pigeon Roost Trail head, and join Docent Diane on a 3-mile hike to an idyllic spot of the Van Winkle arm of beautiful Beaver Lake. Surely the bald eagles will be waiting to show all their majesty. Free of charge
3 p.m. Eagle Watch Cruise (Rocky Branch Marina)
For those who wish to explore more of Beaver Lake while looking for the wonderful bald eagles, join Hal and Dennis at Rocky Branch Marina on Highway 303N. In addition to eagles; herons, geese, ducks, kingfishers, deer, turtles, and other winter wildlife are often seen on this cruise. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the park office at 479-789-5000. Adults - $10.00: Children 6-12 -$5.00 Cruise length – approximately 1 ½ hours.
7 p.m. Raptor Rescue (Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area Visitor Center)
Family fun! Bring everybody to the new Hobbs visitor center, and join Lynn Sciumbato, owner of Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Lynn, accompanied by several of her rehabilitated raptors, will provide an hour of great entertainment while sharing interesting facts about these stately birds. (Lynn’s critters love to get their pictures taken) Free of charge
Saturday, Jan. 16
9 a.m. Eagle Watch Cruise (Rocky Branch Marina)
For those who wish to be on Beaver Lake while looking for the grand bald eagles, embark on the park’s new 28’ pontoon boat at Rocky Branch Marina on Highway 303N. In addition to eagles; herons, geese, ducks, kingfishers, deer, turtles, and other winter wildlife are often seen on this cruise. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the park office at 479-789-5000. Adults - $10.00: Children 6-12 - $5.00 Cruise length - approximately 1 ½ hours.
9 a.m. Winter Bird Walk (Meet at the Hobbs visitor center front desk, and then carpool to the birding site)Northwest Arkansas bird expert Joe Neal leads “Birders” on a leisurely quest to see some our feathered friends who spend the winter in this area as well as those who stay here year ‘round. Bring your binoculars. Telescopes will be provided. This is a very informative program. Free of charge
10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Winter Fur Coats (Hobbs visitor center)Stop in at the Hobbs visitor center any time between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to learn more about Northwest Arkansas mammals. Staff members and docents show pelts and explain interesting things about critters we see every day and night. It’s a “Hands on” experience, and free of charge.
10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. How Do You Measure Up? (Hobbs visitor center)Bring the kids! Stop in at the Hobbs visitor center any time between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. We measure your arm and arm span, and then explain what Northwest Arkansas birds have a wing span that big. It’s a fun way to learn. Free of charge.
11 a.m. Winter Wildlife Hike (War Eagle Loop to Lookout)Hike part of the War Eagle loop, the newest loop of the Hobbs Hidden Diversity Multi-Use Trail. This 2-mile walk originates at the main parking lot of the Multi-Use Trail on Townsend Ridge Road, two miles south of Highway 12. The destination of the hike will be the new overlook of the lovely War Eagle valley. Free of charge
Noon Wildlife Tracking (Hobbs visitor center)What are the signs that there is wildlife in an area? Tracks – nests – bones – scat – scrapes – rubs – trails – dens – holes - etc. Join our wildlife detectives Bob and Al and find the signs left by our Northwest Arkansas winter wildlife. What fun! Free of charge
2 p.m. Birds of Northwest Arkansas (Hobbs visitor center)Take a break and enjoy a beautiful and informative PowerPoint presentation by Northwest Arkansas bird expert Joe Neal. If you have a bird question, Joe has the answer. (This program is part of the Friends of Hobbs Speaker Series) Free of charge.
3 p.m. Eagle Watch Cruise (Rocky Branch Marina)
For those who wish to be on Beaver Lake while looking for the grand bald eagles, embark on the park’s new 28’ pontoon boat at Rocky Branch Marina on Highway 303N. In addition to eagles; herons, geese, ducks, kingfishers, deer, turtles, and other winter wildlife are often seen on this cruise. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the park office at 479-789-5000. Adults - $10.00: Children 6-12 $5.00 Cruise length - approximately 1 ½ hours.
Sunday, Jan. 17
9 a.m. Eagle Watch Cruise (Rocky Branch Marina)
For those who wish to be on Beaver Lake while looking for the grand bald eagles, embark on the park’s new 28’ pontoon boat at Rocky Branch Marina on Highway 303N. In addition to eagles; herons, geese, ducks, kingfishers, deer, turtles, and other winter wildlife are often seen on this cruise. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the park office at 479-789-5000. Adults - $10.00: Children 6-12 - $5.00 Cruise length - approximately 1 ½ hours.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. How Do You Measure Up? (Hobbs visitor center)Bring the kids! Stop in at the Hobbs visitor center any time between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. We measure your arm and arm span, and then explain what Northwest Arkansas birds have a wing span that big. It’s a fun way to learn. Free of charge.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Winter Fur Coats (Hobbs visitor center)
Stop in at the Hobbs visitor center any time between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to learn more about Northwest Arkansas mammals. Staff members and docents show pelts and explain interesting things about critters we see every day and night. It’s an enjoyable “Hands on” experience, and free of charge.
Noon Wildlife Tracking (Hobbs visitor center)What are the signs that there is wildlife in an area? Tracks – nests – bones – scat – scrapes – rubs – trails – dens – holes - etc. Join our wildlife detectives Bob and Al and find the signs left by our Northwest Arkansas winter wildlife. What fun! Free of charge
1 p.m. Wild Kayak Eagle Watch Tour (Meet at the Hobbs visitor center front desk to carpool to the launch site)Only experienced kayakers please. There is a limited number of available slots for this tour. Call the Hobbs visitor center for reservations. 479-789-5000 Bring your own kayak, or the park has a limited number of kayaks to loan.
2:00 p.m. Winter Wildlife Hike (Pigeon Roost Trail head)
Bring some gorp (Good old raisons and peanuts) with you to the Pigeon Roost Trail head, and join Docent Diane on a 3-mile hike to an idyllic spot of the Van Winkle arm of beautiful Beaver Lake. Surely the bald eagles will be waiting to show all their majesty. Free of charge
3 p.m. Eagle Watch Cruise (Rocky Branch Marina)For those who wish to enjoy Beaver Lake while looking for the grand bald eagles, embark on the park’s new 28’ pontoon boat at Rocky Branch Marina on Highway 303N. In addition to eagles; herons, geese, ducks, kingfishers, deer, turtles, and other winter wildlife are often seen on this cruise. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the park office at 479-789-5000.
Adults - $10.00: Children 6-12 $5.00 Cruise length - approximately 1 ½ hours
Concert in the Caverns
January 11, 2010 12:00 AM
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to Caroling in the Caverns at
Blanchard Springs Caverns in
Mountain View. Okay, so I can’t really see how many of you have been, but I know it’s a whole bunch because that program sells out every single year during the Holidays.
This year Blanchard Springs is offering two special Concert in the Caverns events for those that have missed the Caroling event either because they couldn’t make it that time of year or weren’t able to get a ticket. This is the first year for this offering.
The first special concerts are for St. Valentine’s Day with performances at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 14. The St. Patrick’s Day special event is set for 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on March 13 and 14. Only 400 tickets are available for each weekend, so don’t wait to get yours. Contact the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce at 870-269-8068 or visit
www.ozarkgetaways.com to order tickets online.
If you’ve been to Caroling in the Caverns, feel free to comment to this blog and let people know what the experience is like.
Friday Roundup
January 8, 2010 12:00 AM
Jill M. Rohrbach
jillsjourneys@gmail.comFriday blogs are a mix of things instead of fitting a theme like my other blog days. Here’s something for the weekend, a little bed and breakfast inn news, and something for photographers.
The Miss Arkansas USA & Miss Arkansas Teen USA pageant will return to
Bentonville this weekend, Jan. 9 and 10, at the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville. Contestants will first compete in the Presentation Show on Saturday the 9th at 7 p.m. Judges will get their first look at each contestant in the Evening Gown and Swimsuit competitions. Personal Interviews are done the following morning, and these three categories are scored equally to narrow the field down to 10-15 semifinalists in the two age divisions. The Coronation Show is Sunday the 10th at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets for these events, call 479-254-5161. The winners in the "Miss" and "Teen" competitions will advance to the NBC-televised Miss USA Pageant in the spring and the Miss Teen USA Pageant in the summer, respectively.
For photo buffs, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in
Bentonville is inviting people to capture landscapes - especially those threatened by development, disease and the ravages of age. Photos of treasured sites in Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties may be submitted for inclusion in “Looking at Our Landscape,” a juried community photography exhibition planned for spring 2010. Special consideration will be given to landscapes with historic or cultural significance that are accessible to the public and at risk of being lost. Selected entries will be presented in an online gallery, and 40 works will be displayed April 1 - May 31, 2010 in an exhibition at the Massey, Crystal Bridges' temporary gallery in downtown Bentonville. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 5, 2010. For more information visit
www.crystalbridges.org.
Heart Healthy: Meadow Brook Self-Guided Trail
January 7, 2010 12:00 AM
Jill M. Rohrbach
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. In that spirit, I’d like to encourage you to hike a trail. I’ll start with a trail that has a difficulty level of “easy” since we’re just getting started with our workouts.
Meadow Brook Self-Guided Trail
Length: 3/4 mile
Time: 1/2 hour
Difficulty: Easy
The theme of the Meadow Brook Self-Guided Trail is change: the succession of plants, man's influence on the environment, and the variety of flowers, plants, and trees in the Arkansas River Valley. The trail begins and ends near the park amphitheater.
Location: Exit No. 81 off I-40 at Russellville to Hwy. 7 South, an immediate right on Hwy. 326 after crossing south over I-40, then 5 miles west to park
For Information: Park Superintendent, 100 State Park Drive, Russellville, AR, 72801, (479) 967-5516
lakedardanelle@arkansas.com
While you’re there, be sure to stop in the park’s 10,527-square-foot visitors center. The $2.4 million visitor center features classrooms, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, a lab, catering kitchen, and interpretive exhibits including a major aquatic exhibit with four aquariums focusing on the local waterways including Lake Dardanelle, the Arkansas River and their tributaries. Another interpretive element in the visitor center is touch screen kiosks that feature information on the park, the area’s water resources and history. The center also houses the park's administrative offices, information services, exhibition and educational programs, and retail sales.
Since its establishment in 1967, Lake Dardanelle State Park has been a peaceful camping and fishing destination because of its location on the shores of Lake Dardanelle, a 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River. This area is now renowned as one of Arkansas's hottest bass fishing tournament sites. The park’s facilities include a $161,587 fishing tournament weigh-in pavilion, which opened July 2002. The 1,861-square-foot, weigh-in pavilion serves as the staging area to host tournaments.