We enjoyed a nice wade in the Ouachita River at Oden. Nearby was a geocache but somehow my GPS had the wrong coordinates so we left without a first to find.
Not much business at the old Oden Bank these days.
At Pine Ridge we could not resist a stop at the old Lum and Abner Jot'Em Down Store. I made sure to jot down my name on the geocaching log that was on the porch.
On along the back roads and we eventually ascended the hill at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The views are amazing on both sides of the road and the scenic drive that extends into Oklahoma is a favorite in the fall. We were disappointed that the lodge is closed for remodeling this year. There must be no shortage of funds in the state park's money bag.
About thirty miles south we traveled 4.5 miles up a rocky unpaved road to reach the Cossatot River Falls area for another state park cache. We were the only ones in the area on this day as it is also the first day of school. Yahoo!!! I have always wondered what this river looked like because I knew I would never float a class 4 or 5 river. The water is so low from the drought that it is easy to imagine how treacherous it would be in swift water with all the large boulders. Cossatot means skull crusher!
I have always said that when I got old I would explore Arkansas more and I am off to a good start!
