Monday 4-18 Buffalo Point Campground & Hiking

Beautiful spring day

We have moved campgrounds and we have just a bit of a cell signal on our AT&T hotspot, hopefully I will be able to update my blog. The connection is very poor but for the moment we can access email and the weather which is the most important.

We had a beautiful spring day. It started out with clouds and the temperature in the low 40s. By 10:00 the clouds went away and the sun came out. It stayed in the 60s.

We started out the day by getting the Minnie ready to go. We're not leaving Buffalo National River, we're just moving down the road 35 miles to Buffalo Point Campground. We left around 9:30. The road we took went through a couple of small towns. The last 10 miles was a curving mountain road. 

We arrived at Buffalo Point around 10:15. There were five small loops A-E. Some were first come first serve, others were reservation only and there is a walk-in loop. We're in A Loop, which is first come first serve. There are 22 sites and RVs can't be over 23-26 feet because the sites aren't that deep. We got site #21, Larry had to use some blocks to level the front passenger side. The loop we're in is gorgeous and our site looks over the Buffalo River. There is a launch area where people can launch rafts, Kayaks and canoes. We're so happy that our hot spot is working, being able to check the weather report is so important for us.

Welcome sign 

Camping at Buffalo Point

Once the Minnie was setup we had lunch. Then we went on a 8.3 mile hike. We hiked all the trails in the campground. We started from B Loop and took the Campground trail (1.4 miles) to the parking lot by the cabins. The campground trail took us gradually up the hill and through the forest. We walked by a few of the cabins, they were built by the CCC. At the parking lot we rested at a picnic table. We decided to continue on by hiking the Indian Rockhouse trail, it was 3.5 miles round trip. This trail ended up being one of the best trails we have hiked in a long time. It took us up and down the hillside, along a beautiful creek and through the forest. The forest had some pine trees and we hadn't seen any in awhile. We had to hike around boulders and there were some loose rocks but the trails were great. While we hiked there were signs on different points of interest: Sinkhole Icebox, Waterfall, Old Zinc Mine, Natural Bathtub, Pebbles Springs, CCC Rock Quarry, Sculpted Bedrock and the Indian Rockhouse. The scenery was outstanding. The sun was shining so we saw a lot of butterflies and wildflowers. It was very peaceful hiking along the mountain creek. When we got to the Indian Rockhouse we were very surprised on how big it was. It was a huge cave in the rocks and had a creek running through it. We walked around inside the structure, it was amazing. We rested on a rock before starting our return. The trail back to the parking lot was mainly up the hill but not too steep. From the parking lot we took the Overlook Trail back and stopped at the Overlook. It was a pretty view of the Buffalo River. We hiked on rock slabs and some of it was wet so we had to be careful because the slabs were slippery. When we got back to where the trail Y'd off we took the Forest trail (1 mile) back to the Minnie. By the end we were tired but we had a super hike.

 

Standing at the falls

 

Old zinc mine

 

Natural Bathtub

 

Larry checking out the creek in the Indian Rockhouse

 

Buffalo River from the overlook

We spent the evening reading. By the end of the day I did 27,000 steps, which put me in 3rd place in my group.

We had a super day.

Saturday 4-16 More Rain / Hiking Spring Hollow & Buck Ridge

 

Playing in the rain

Our day started out with rain that hung around until about noon. The weather site had indicated it was going to stay around all day. We were excited when it went away because we could go hiking.

The rain was ok, Larry was entertained by watching folks in the campground, kids were playing in the rain, some folks were trying to cook while others were trying to light a fire to cook, these were all tent campers who didn't have other ways of preparing their meals. Some people gave up, they packed up their wet stuff and left, others didn't show up. I was glad that we had the Minnie, it keeps us dry and with our stove/oven I can make most anything.

After lunch we went on a 3.5 mile hike. Today we finished hiking the trails in the park. Today's trails were Spring Hollow and Buck Ridge. We started at the parking lot in the campground and hiked Spring Hollow trail, which was .9 miles. Then we picked up Buffalo River trail. We hiked this about a mile to Buck Ridge trail, which was .8 mile. Buck Ridge took us back to the parking lot. The trails were very nice and went through the trees, across a creek a couple of times and up and down the hills. When they went up the hill it was very gradual so you really didn't feel you climbed that much, however, your heart still beat a little faster. With all the rain we had it was amazing the trails weren't muddy,  I guess because of all the rock. As we hiked we met a couple with two dogs. We saw butterflies, a red-headed woodpecker and a snail going across the trail. In the last couple of weeks we have seen the trees' leaves coming back and the forest is really looking beautiful. We had a great hike.

The snail

 

Tyler bend amphitheater

Campfire circle at the amphitheater

Spring flowing by the trail

While we were hanging around the Minnie we read. For dinner I barbecued some Cajun style Andouille (smoked sausage made with pork). After dinner I finished 26,000 steps. This put me in 3rd place in my group.   

Friday 4-15 Rain & Hiking

 

Rainy Morning

Yesterday Larry setup our Wave3 heater. It was suppose to get to about 50 degrees overnight so about an hour before I went to bed I got the heater going.  There is a process that you need to follow for it to work correctly, it had been a long time since we last used it so Larry and I discussed it. After lighting it you have to turn the valve to high and after 10 minutes you can set it to low. When I turned it to low I forgot to make sure it clicked into place so when Larry woke up this morning the heater was off. It was 50 degrees inside the Minnie. He turned it back on and ran it on high and the temperature was up to 60 when I woke up. I used the oven to make breakfast and that helped warm up the Minnie. 

It started to rain at 7:00 am and stopped at 11:00 am. We were excited because if the trails weren't too wet we could hike. We had lunch and then we went on a hike. The trails were perfect, we hiked about 5 miles. We started by hiking to the visitor center. We then hiked the Riverview Trail about 1.5 miles to the Overlook of the river. Then we continued to the Sod Collier Homestead. As we hiked to the homestead we went up and down the mountainside gradually, when we got near the overlook the trail got very steep. The view was excellent. 

We were surprised to find the Sod Collier Homestead still had the original house and a couple of sheds. The house was very basic and rustic. Walking through the house it was hard to believe how different and difficult living there must have been. Looking at the interior walls you could still see remnants of the magazines and advertisements they had used for wallpaper. The rooms were quite small with very low ceilings, there was no insulation, keeping the rooms warm in the winter had to be terribly difficult.  The family lived there from 1928 to 1962. They never had electricity or indoor plumbing. They survived by farming, they had some livestock, grew crops for feed and their own consumption. Sod also hunted, fished and worked as a guide.

A couple of butterflies on the trail

 

Hiking trail

 

Buffalo River from the Overlook

 

The Sod Collier Homestead

A rock ledge

After resting we started our hike back to the campground. We didn't take the same trail back instead we took the Buffalo River Trail to Rockwall Trail. The Rockwall trail had a beautiful rockwall, that ran along side much of the trail. We crossed a creek using rocks. Rockwall took us back to the campground. 

The trails back to the campground were very challenging because there were a lot of rocks. The trails took us through trees and up and down the mountainside. We crossed the creek a few times by using rocks. The creek wasn't that deep so it was easy to cross. At places the creek made small waterfalls. Our hike was very pretty and peaceful.

We spent the morning and the rest of day after our hike reading. I did my steps, which were 27,000 steps. This put me in 2nd place in my group. We had a wonderful day. 

Thursday 4-14 Buffalo National River

 

Welcome sign

After two nights at Berryville City Park the rain was gone and it was time to move on. Our next campground was Tyler Bend at Buffalo National River.

After breakfast Larry dumped the tanks and we got the Minnie ready to go. We had about 70 miles to go, not too far but we also wanted to stop by Walmart to do some grocery shopping. After shopping at Walmart and putting the groceries away we walked over to Dollar Tree to pick up some Lances cookies. Then we were on the road again.

Tyler Bend doesn't have power at their sites. We had half a tank of propane but we would need to use propane for heat so Larry looked for a place that sold propane. We stopped by a company that deliveries propane but they didn't fill RV tanks. They suggested Worley's Rentals. We found the place. The gentleman who helped us was very nice and knew what he was doing. Our tank can be difficult to fill but they had an extension that made it very easy. Once it was full Larry walked back to the shop and paid the gentleman. We were back on the road. 

When Larry was turning right he noticed that the turn signal wasn't working correctly. We found a place where he could work on it, he found out the bulb in the back was burnt out. He did not have another one with us but he knew there was another Walmart coming up where he could buy a bulb. There was a Daylight Donuts in the parking lot so Larry went in and bought a couple of donuts.

When we got to Harrison we stopped at Walmart and bought a bulb, they come with two in pack so now we have an extra one. It was lunchtime so we had a ham sandwich for lunch.

About 45 minutes later we were at Tyler Bend. The internet site had indicated the sites were first come first serve until next week and then some of the sites would be reservable. We found one by the river but it had a sign showing it was reserved. No problem there were a lot of empty sites. We found another one that was even better. We set the Minnie up, which was just parking it. Then we walked to pay for the site. Afterwards we walked to Tyler Bend Visitor Center. Larry bought a Senior Pass for himself. He has been meaning to for a bit that way we both have one. The gentleman was very friendly. After getting the pass we walked around the museum at the visitor center. Then we went back to the Minnie.

Camping at Tyler Bend

 

Beautiful campground

 

Tyler Bend Visitor Center

 

Part of the garden at the visitor center

We spent the rest of the day reading. I finished the book I was reading and started reading the 12th book in the series. 

I barbecued pork patties for dinner. I walked around the campground for an hour to get some of my steps. I ended up doing 27,000 steps, which put me in 3rd place in my group. We have internet here but without electricity our power is limited so I won't be doing my computer games. We do have our solar panel that will help with the power situation. Last fall when we were in Colorado it worked terrific but it seemed we always had sunshine. On this trip we have had quite a bit of rain and once again it is supposed to rain.             

Wednesday 4-13 Rain and Sunshine

 

Rainy day

We woke up with the temperature in the mid 60s. By 7:00 the rain came in. It stayed around until 2:30 and the sun came out at 4:00. It became a beautiful day. Supposed to get down to almost freezing tonight.

With all the rain and wind we were happy to be at Berryville City Park, having electricity is a big plus. We spent most of the day reading. Larry finished one book and started another one. I started reading the 13th book of Guido Brunetti. I skipped the 12th book because we didn't have it. I found it on Amazon and it was only $1.99 so we bought it. I did my Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. Then I did the Event: World Tour Mini of 10 games. It took me 57 minutes and 49 seconds, which put me in 15th place in my group.

Berryville bathhouse and visitor center

As soon as the rain went away I walked around the park for a half hour to get some of my steps. After dinner I walked around for another hour. I finished doing my steps in place on and off all night. Larry thought I was crazy because it was cold. But I bundled up and put gloves on and ended up doing 27,000 steps, which gave me the total of 75,000 steps for the week so far. This put me in 3rd place in my group.

For dessert I baked cookies. Even though it rained it was still had a great day.

    

Tuesday 4-12 Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

 

Overcast Day

We had an overcast day with strong wind. It started out with the temperature of 60 degrees and got to 75. 

Larry made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We starting getting ready to move on at about 9:30, we were heading to Berryville City Park which wasn't very far. 

On the way to Berryville we did something special. We stopped at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. It specializes in rescuing exotic cats. It has been doing this for 30 years and has rescued 450 cats and bears from across the country. They are a no contact shelter and survive mainly with volunteers and donations. Most of their animals have been rescued from either other animal parks that were trying to make money on the cats or from individuals who were trying to raise them on their own. The majority of them have been mistreated in some way and many of them have physical issues due to their past living conditions. Every hour on the hour they have a tour by a tour guide. For adults it's $25.00 and Seniors 65 and up are $15.00. When we arrived we had just missed the 10:00 tour so we paid and walked around the facility.

During the riding tour we learned about individual cats and how and why they were in the facility. They try to keep cats that are familiar with each other together. If the cats don't get along they separate them with a fence. They will also rotate who gets to be out in the grassy areas. They do this to prevent them from hurting each other. They are not a breeding facility so some of the cats are on a form of birth control. We also picked up a brochure about the cats and how they were rescued. They rescued a tigress, Priscilla last May and she was pregnant. She had three cubs and they all were born with club feet. At four weeks old they started the cubs on treatment. Now they're fine. The tour guide did an excellent job and the brochure was very interesting. We had a great time.

One of the lions

One of the white tigers

 

Priscilla

 

Entrance

After the tour we had lunch. Then we drove to Berryville, which was 20 miles away. Berryville City Park is a small park with restrooms and showers. We don't normally stay in RV parks but it is suppose to rain most of tomorrow and we wanted somewhere with power. You need a code to use the showers. The sites are full hookups. There are full time residents in the RV park. There a creek that runs by the park. They have a gazebo. Since the park is small there is not much area to walk but I did a bunch of laps around the park and also stepped in place, I ended up with 26,000 steps. This put me in 5th place in my group. While I was walking around I met a lady and she walked with me a little bit. 

 

Berryville City Park

I finished reading Willful Behavior. I played my computer games. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. Then I did the Event: Medium Mayhem of 27 games. It took me 1 hour, 13 minutes and 33 seconds, which put me in 9th place in my group.

We had an awesome day.

 

Monday 4-11 Rainy Day

 

 

Camping

We had rain most of the day. We were so glad we didn't have any severe weather. It started raining early in the morning while we slept and stopped about 3:30 pm. It was hard at times but it didn't keep us from having a good night sleep. We knew that the rain was coming, that's why we decided to stay at Dam Site River Campground for at least two nights. 

Today was mostly a stay inside day. I played my computer games. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. Then I moved onto the Event: Free Cell Mini of 10 games. It took me 1 hour, 8 minutes and 51 seconds, which put me in 22nd place in my group. Our internet is slow but I'm glad we have it so I can play my games and blog. We read most of the day.

After dinner I went on an hour and a half walk to the dam and around the campground I ended up doing 22,000 steps, which put me in 5th place. This is pretty good considering all the rain. 

We have been on the road for 23 days. We spent the first week in Oklahoma and the last two weeks we have been in Arkansas.

We have had an outstanding trip so far with just a little rain.