Wednesday 3-30 Rainy Day

 

Enjoying the rain

It started raining early in the morning and stayed around all day. At 2:00 PM the rain stopped so I went over and took a shower.

We didn't do too much. We have internet so I got caught up with my computer games. I did the Daily Challenges for Solitaire and Mahjong for the last four days. I can't go back and do the events I missed but I did today's Event: Tri Peaks Mini of 5 games. It took me 7 minutes and 55 seconds, which put me in 19th place. I also did some Sudoku games, which I haven't done in a long time.

When I was finished playing games I started the seventh book of Guido Brunetti. There is 31 books in the series, we have 20 of them. It's a detective series by Donna Leon that takes place in Venice, Italy. She's an American author, who lived in Venice for 30 years and now lives in Switzerland in the mountains..  

Larry wakes up early so He got caught up with internet stuff. He wrote reviews on three books he read and put them in Good Reads. He also posted my blog. When I was playing my games he read.

Relaxing with a good book

The park were staying at is a U.S. Corps of Engineers park called Aux Arc. The Arkansas River flows by the park. The corp dammed the river up and divided the area into two lakes; Lake Dardanelle and Ozark Lake. We're staying on the Ozark side. While hanging around the Minnie we watched a barge going through the lock. It was coming from Lake Dardanelle and going onto Ozark Lake. The lock is small but it's still neat to watch.

Barge coming out of the lock

 

Tugboat pushing the barge

 

Waiting in the lock

After dinner I walked around the campground for two hours. I ended up doing 22,000 steps, which put me in 4th place in my group. I didn't do my daily goal of 25,000 steps but I've done 77,000 so far this week.

   

 

Sunday 3-27 to Tuesday 3-29 Leaving Oklahoma & Hello Arkansas

 

No Internet

During our stay at Mount Magazine we had very little cell signal/internet. At times we could check our email and maybe the weather but that was about it. I didn't get to play my computer games.

 Sunday 3-27 Mount Magazine State Park Cameron Campground

After spending a week in Oklahoma visiting two magnificent state parks, Beavers Bend and Robbers Cave it was time to move on. While visiting Oklahoma we did eight hikes with a total of 33.5 miles. I walked around the camping areas for an hour to an hour and half, which was between 3 and 4.5 miles per walk. When we weren't hiking we read and I played computer games. We met some wonderful people and their dogs.  

Our next destination was Mount Magazine State Park, which was 140 miles away. The drive was mainly two and four lane highways through small cities. As we drove we saw a lot of ranches and farms. We stopped at a Walmart to pick up a few things we were getting low on. After shopping we ate lunch in the parking lot.

Mount Magazine State Park is at the top of a mountain requiring you to take a narrow and curvy mountain road.

We stopped at the Visitor Center to check in. Arkansas State Parks gives a 25% discount to seniors who camp during the week, very nice. While there we walked around the museum and store. The museum told the history of Mount Magazine. Mount Magazine use to be an actual town but in the 1930s the residents couldn't pay their taxes so they had to give up their homes. During the Great Depression the WPA built the park. In 1971 the lodge burned down and the National government didn't have money to rebuild the lodge so the state of Arkansas paid to have it rebuilt. The park is now a state park but the Federal government still owns the land. 

Mount Magazine Visitor Center

Cameron Campground is the only RV campground on the mountain. It only has 18 sites and they all have full hook-ups, picnic table, tent pad, fire ring and trees. There are restrooms with showers and a dump station. The hiking trails are walking distance from the campground. You can get internet at the lodge.

Once we set up the Minnie we went on an hour walk for 2.5 miles. We hiked the Signal Hill Trail to the lodge. The trail was very easy except you have to be careful of the rocks. It weaved up the mountain. Once at the lodge we walked around the grounds. It was gorgeous and looked over the valley and river. The lodge has a restaurant that looks over the mountain. The entrance to the lodge had a beautiful fountain. We hiked a short trail to where the lodge use to be until it burned down. The view there was beautiful. We walked the park road back to the campground. While walking the road we walked by some of the cabins. They looked over the mountain. When we got to Brown Springs picnic area we stopped and rested. It was only about a .25 mile away from the campground.

Waterfall at the lodge entrance

 

The back of the lodge

 

One of the cabins

 

 

 

A view of the area around the lodge

 

After dinner I walked around for an hour. I walked to the Cameron Bluff Overview and the WPA Amphitheater. The overview had beautiful views of the surrounding area. The original amphitheater was built by the WPA in the 1930s, it was rebuilt by the park in 1971. It was left abandon for many years and weeds were taking off. It looks over the area and is gorgeous. By the end of the day I had done 26,500 steps, which put me in 4th place in my group.

 

 

The steps at the overlook 

 

A view from the overlook

 

 

 

WPA Amphitheater

 

 

 

Camping at Cameron Bluff Campground

 

Monday 3-28 Camping & Hiking 

 

The day started out at 42 degrees with high winds out of the east, which made it feel colder. The wind died down a bit in the afternoon. It got to 67 degrees.

Larry made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. After breakfast we went on a 2.5 hour hike for 5 miles. We walked to Brown Springs picnic area and picked up the trail at the end of the parking lot. The trail isn't marked but it's on the park trail map called West End Trail. The trail is 1.8 miles one way along the rim of Mount Magazine. The terrain was flat and easy to hike. We hiked through trees and saw magnificent views of the surrounding area. The trees didn't have any leaves and the wind was wicked and cold. We had to put our hoods up to protect us from the wind. There were some wet areas so we had to walk around them. We didn't see any wildlife, I believe that is because they had a controlled burn recently. Once in awhile we had to cross over a creek. One area we used a small foot bridge and the other areas we used rocks. Occasionally we stopped and looked at the rock formations and the beautiful views of the area. There was an A-frame building at the end of the trail, which was part of a communications tower. We found a boulder to sit on and rest. It was a great place to rest because the view was outstanding and Larry had internet on his phone. There were two ways to go back, either the utility road or the way we came. We did the trail because it went through the trees. When we were almost at the picnic area we met two guys and their beagle. When we got back to the picnic area I went to the restroom and Larry rested at a table. After resting we went back to the Minnie. By the time we got back we were tired. We rested and then we had lunch.

 

 

A-frame building

 

 

A view from the trail

After lunch we went on an hour hike/walk. We walked across the road to Signal Hill trail, which is .4 mile trail to the highest point in Arkansas. There were a lot of rocks but an easy trail uphill. We started at 2600 ft and ended up at 2753 ft, which is the highest point in Arkansas. There was a great sign to tell you where you were. In front of the sign the ground had a magnificent rock slab in the shape of Arkansas. There was a board that had a map of the surrounding states and their highest point. The idea was for you to compare the shape on the ground the shape on the board. The shapes matched perfectly. We hiked back down the trail to where the trails Yd off towards the lodge and Highest Point. I was trying to read a trail sign and I tripped over a rock and fell. I was lucky I fell where I did because there were no sharp rocks I hit the packed ground. I hurt the palm of my hands, they ached for bit but they’re ok. Larry was happy I didn’t break or bruise anything. I just dirtied my pants. During our short hike we met a couple and their two dogs. We also saw a few other people. When we got to the campground we continued walking. We walked over to Cameron Bluff Overlook and the WPA Amphitheater. When we were at the amphitheater we met a couple with a dog. Afterwards we went back to the Minnie.

The rock slab in the shape of Arkansas

I made it to the highest point in Arkansas

In evening I walked around the campground for about an hour to finish my 27,500 steps. This put me in 2nd place in my group. Good start for the week. We spent the rest of the evening reading.

 

Tuesday 3-29 Hiking and Moving On

We woke up to temperature in the low 50s and wind.  After breakfast we went on a three hour hike for 6 miles. We started out by taking the North Rim trail from the campground to the visitor center, which was 2.7 miles one way. The trail was challenging because it weaved up and down the mountainside and through trees. At places you had to be careful because of the rocks. We stopped occasionally to look at beautiful views of the area. We were about a mile from the visitor center when a group of 12 ladies met up with us on the trail. We all said our hellos and continued our hike. When we got to the visitor center we rested for a bit before walking across the street to Greenfield picnic area where we picked up the Mossback Ridge trail. The trail took us up and down the mountainside. The first .5 mile was challenging because it went up 200 ft. By the time we got to the top we were sweaty and tired. We hiked Mossback Ridge for 2.2 miles and there was a Y, we weren't sure which way to go. We saw a gentleman hiking and Larry asked him about the trail. He said continue on the the trail we were on straight ahead. The other trail went back down the mountain and then back up and would take a long time. Larry thanked him and we continued our hike. We met up with the group of ladies right before the Y, they were headed back to the visitor center. They said hi to us again. About a mile later we passed where I fell yesterday. There were three signs; Lodge, Campground and Highest Point. We took the campground trail, which was about .5 mile. We had a super hike.

When we got home we rested and then had lunch. It's suppose to rain all day tomorrow and there was a high wind advisory, here at the top of the mountain the wind can really blow. We decided to leave and move on. We had already paid for the night but we decided it was better to move on. Larry knew there was some Corp of Engineer Parks not too far away. At the bottom of the mountain we stopped at Paris, Arkansas where we had a cell signal, Larry found a place for us to stay for a couple of nights or even longer if we want. It was Ozark Lake Corp of Engineers Campground. It was only 16 miles away from Paris. 

When we got to the office Larry asked how to check in. We are finding more and more campgrounds where the only way to get a site is to go online and that is what we had to do here. We found a beautiful site right by the river. I have the Senior America The Beautiful card so the site only cost $10.00 a night. We reserved the site for two nights and set up the Minnie. I barbecued sausages for dinner. After dinner I walked around for an hour and a half to get my steps. I ended up doing 27,000 steps, which put me in 4th place in my group. We had a wonderful day.

 

 

Camping at Ozark Lake Campground

 

 

 

The dam on the river

 

Lock on the river

 

Yesterday, when I fell I damaged my camera. The lens cover wouldn't open or close all the way. Larry looked at it. He cleaned the lens and the cover but it still wouldn't work. Upon further inspection he saw the cover had a very small bend, he was hesitant about trying to straighten it because he was afraid he could damage it worse. It took him a bit to decide how to repair it but he got it figured out and it works. Thank you Larry.   

Saturday 3-26 Belle Starr Trail & Multi-Use Trail

 

Springtime is here

We woke up with the temperature at 37 degrees. It ended up being a beautiful day, sunny, no wind and it got to 73 degrees. 

We had cinnamon french toast sticks for breakfast. Afterwards we went on a 5 mile hike for 3.5 hours. 

We started the hike on the Belle Starr trail (white for 2 miles) and moved on to the Multi-Use trail (orange/blue for 1.5 miles). Belle Starr was very challenging because we had to hike over and in between giant boulders. The boulders made gorgeous formations. The trail took us through the trees, up and down the mountainside and over coon creek via rocks. Coon creek was beautiful and made great waterfalls while going down the mountain. The CCC dammed it up at the bottom of the mountain and make Coon Creek Lake. We hiked Belle Starr until it Y's with a horse trail. We took the horse trail until we got Coon Creek. In order to get to the Multi-Use trail we had to cross the creek. Larry went first to see if we could get across. Then he helped me. I almost made it staying totally dry but my left foot got a little wet. The Multi-Use trail went through the trees and wasn't as rocky as Belle Starr. We had to cross Coon Creek again, this time it was better, I didn't get wet and Larry helped again. When we got to an old pipeline road we hiked it for about a half mile to a .8 mile loop trail. The trail wasn't on the hiking  map but Larry had it on his phone. The loop trail went through the trees. It was a nice trail and we walked on a lot of pine needles which gave your feet a lot of cushion. We walked by Coon Creek Lake, it's a small mountain lake. We had to climb uphill a bit. We again had to cross Coon Creek, Larry was helping me but once again my foot slipped into the creek. The water was cold but the shoe dried very fast. Then we continued climbing up the mountain. We hiked back to the first Coon Creek crossing where rested on a boulder. Afterwards we crossed the creek via boulders. It was easier this time but Larry still helped me. Then we got back on the Multi-Use trail/horse trail, which was an old CCC dirt road. We hiked for about a half mile and got back on Belle Starr Loop. As we walked the road we saw an old pump building by the dam at Coon Creek Lake. We hiked to the building and checked it out. Once back on Belle Starr Loop we were back climbing over and through boulders to get to the top of the mountain. We were climbing like mountain goats. We finished Belle Starr Loop at the lodge where we took the road back to Whispering Pines Campground. The hike was challenging and fun.

Belle Starr Loop Trail

 

The rocks used to cross Coon Creek

 

Camp site at Coon Creek

 

Coon Creek Lake dam

 

Crossing Coon Creek

 

Coon Creek waterfall

 

The old pump house

When we got home I made a salad for lunch. 

After lunch I did my Event: Klondike Mini of 10 games. It took me 34 minutes and 38 seconds to complete, which put me in 17th place in my group. I did my Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. 

For dinner we finished up our baked ziti. Then I walked around for a couple of hours to get my steps in. I ended up doing 28,000 steps , which put me in 3rd place in my group.

All around Robbers Cave State Park there are these wonderful metal signs. The signage was done by the CCC and the Oklahoma Parks and Recreation people keep them up. It's always amazes me the skill and talent some of the CCC workers had. The signage around the park was made from metal plates. Today they would use a machine to do this but in 1933 they had to do it by hand. The signage gave directions to drive, campground, trail names, restrooms and water. 

Robbers Cave

 

Direction to cabins and campground

 

Trail to the lake

 

Direction to drove through the campground

 

Restrooms and water location

 

Sign for the Artesian Well

     

 

     

Friday 3-25 Hiking Robbers Cave Trail & More

 

Entrance sign to the park

We woke up to another brisk 32 degrees. It got up to 65 degrees. It's perfect weather for hiking.

I made pancakes for breakfast. After breakfast we went on an 8 mile hike for four hours. We started our hike in the Old Circle Campground at the Lake trail. It was a half a mile to the lake and main office. From there we hiked the road for 3.5 miles to Robbers Cave day use area. While walking along the we saw a cut metal figure of Sasquatch. There was a path that ran along side much of the road. This was great because even though the road wasn't busy there was some traffic. There was a nice mountain creek that ran along the road. The creek had a couple of dams which made nice waterfalls. We walked by the Equestrian Campground, Redbud Campground and CCC Campground. The Equestrian Campground had small corrals at each site and the sites were very nice. Redbud Campground had a cool cabin that looked like a covered wagon. The CCC Campground was a group site with a big building. It was being used by a large group so we didn't walk through it. We were almost to Robbers Cave when a gentleman jogged by us and we said our hellos. The facility at Robbers Cave was very nice. It had a pavilion, restrooms with running water, parking lot and a huge sign on the history of the cave and the trails. The Robbers Cave trail (orange markings) was .75 mile, it weaved around the mountain. It was challenging because you had to climb over rocks, in between boulders and up a mountain. The sandstone was challenging, at places it was slick because the surface was worn smooth. We saw a few groups of people enjoying the trail. We had to take stone steps, which were built by the CCC. Larry had to help me up the rock at a few places by giving me his hand. It was a beautiful trail and the scenery was gorgeous. It was rumored that Belle Star and Jesse James had hid out in this cave but the sign did say there was no proof of that, however it said it was possible, she did live only 20 miles from here. When we got to the top of the mountain we got on a horse trail and followed it back. In fact we hiked pieces of three different horse trails, they were marked with a yellow disc. The trails were numbered. Parts of the horse trails were challenging because of the rocks and it went through creek beds. We walked by the highway and over a creek via rocks. Before crossing the creek Larry put a rock on top of another rock so we could stay dry. It worked great. He had to help me crossing it. All trails weaved around the forest. Before we left the Minnie Larry had downloaded the maps so occasionally he checked his GPS to see where we should be. A couple of times we were someplace else. About a mile from the campground we met the Coon Ridge Trail (red). A cute Yorkie came running to us. The masters called her back and put her on leash. When they passed by she did have a opportunity to say hi. We hiked part of the Multi-Use trail (orange/blue), horse trails (yellow) and Coon Ridge (red). It was a long hike but we had fun. 

Dam 

 

Sasquatch

 

Cabin for rent

 

Artesian Well

 

Larry at the entrance of Robbers Cave

Part of the trail over the sandstone slabs

 

Some steps built by the CCC

After resting a bit I made a salad for lunch. After lunch I played my computer games. I did the Event: Two Game Tango of 20 games (10 Spider and 10 Tri Peaks). It took me 3 hours, 2 minutes and 28 seconds, which put me in 20th place in my group. I also did my Solitaire and Mahjong Daily Challenges.

For dinner we had leftovers, which was baked ziti. After dinner I went on an hour walk around the cabin area, Old Circle Campground and Whispering Pines Campground to get my steps. I ended up doing 27,000 steps, which put me in 3rd place in my group.          

Thursday 3-24 Broken Bow Lake & New State Park

Camping in Whispering Pines Campground

We woke up to a chilly 32 degrees but the sun was shining.  I made mini waffles for breakfast and then I started putting things away because we were moving on. We're not leaving Oklahoma we're just going 120 miles to Robbers Cave State Park. We were on the road around 9:30.

As we were leaving the camping area we stopped at the dump station. The tanks really didn't need to be dumped but it was convenient. The dump station was brand new, it had two dumps and you can pull in from either direction. Before leaving Beavers Bend Recreation Area we stopped at the dam to look at Broken Bow Lake. We had been hearing the siren about opening gates since the rain but we didn't see any gates open. The lake was built by the U.S. Corps of Engineers between 1961 and 1970. It a beautiful lake.

Plaque for Broken Bow Lake

 

Broken Bow Lake

The route was two lane highways through small towns. We saw a lot of cattle with calves and horses. We drove through a mountain pass, at places there were switchbacks and Larry had to slow down to 15mph. As we drove we saw logging trucks and areas that were logged and replanted. We stopped in Talihina, OK to fill the Minnie with gas. Then we parked the Minnie in a lot and had lunch. After lunch we continued on. 

We arrived at Robbers Cave State Park at 2:00. We didn't have to check in but Larry stopped at the park sign and picked up a map of the park and hiking trails. This is the first time we have been here, the park is huge and is on both sides of the highway making it a bit challenging to find Whispering Pines campground. There are two campgrounds in our area, Whispering Pines and Old Circle. The signs of the Oklahoma state parks are gorgeous and big so we had no problem finding our site. The site has power and water, picnic table and fire ring and a lot of trees. 

Once we set up the Minnie I played my Event: Medium Mayhem Mini of 5 games. It took me 14 minutes and 58 seconds, which put me in 13th place in my group. Then we went on 2.5 mile hike. We hiked the Coon Ridge Trail, which is a 2 mile loop. The terrain was challenging because of all the big rocks but we didn't have to climb any hills. The trail weaved through the trees and was very pretty. As we hiked we saw beautiful rock formations. The trail was very well marked with red hiking figures. At this park the trails are color coded, which is great because we know what trail we're on. Part of the Coon Ridge trail is shared by Belle Starr Loop, which has white hiking figures. We had a great hike.

When we got back to the Minnie I finished playing my computer games, which were the Solitaire and Mahjong Daily Challenges. For dinner I heated up the leftover tamale pie. After dinner I walked around for an hour and a half so I could get my steps. I walked to the lodge but didn't take any pictures because it was undergoing a major rebuild. Then I walked around the cabin area, they have a lot of pretty cabins that were built by the CCC. The cabin section had a playground and it took me about 10 minutes to walk around. Most of the cabins look over the mountainside. I walked around the cabin section three times. Then I walked around the Old Circle Campground three times. As I walked I said hi to the other campers. I had a great walk. When I got back I made cookies for dessert.

One of the cabins

 

A couple more cabins

 

The restroom in the Old Circle Campground

After dessert I went outside and finished my steps. I ended up doing 26,500, which put me in 3rd place in my group. We had a super day.