Sunset Trail

Cool weather begged for us to go hike the first section of Sunset Trail across Music Mountain in Hot Springs National Park. First, a phone a friend opportunity.

The phone call directed us to look at the large outcropping of novaculite behind us. This was an extremely popular rock for the Indians to use to make arrowheads. It is the ultimate stone to use in whetstone making even today!

Typical of a trail walk is Leon waiting patiently while I take a few pictures.

We soon came across this "ancient" sitting area that has long been in need of repair.

The path was much steeper than I recalled but the north wind on a 60 degree day was inviting. Wild flowers bloomed all along the path. I don't know the names of most of them and don't know where my wilflower book is.

But I do recognize this healthy patch of poison ivy. Leaves of three, let it be!

The starflower is one of my favorites. I have one in my backyard. Perhaps I should gather some more, but NOT in the national park. The flowers were all blowing in the breeze and it was hard to get an infocus photo.

As we rounded the corner and headed north we came across these lovely little violets.

Soon a black snake crossed our path. What a coincidence! We were headed towards the car parked on Blacksnake Road.

Never do I recall seeing this little gem. It was just so dainty!

All along the trail we were reminded  of how the Indians must have gathered these rocks in years past as they traversed these same trails. Nature provided us with a natural gravel trail most of the way as the novaculite crumbled and washed onto the path if it weren't already there.

When we drove back down West Mountain Leon was reminded of how small town really is as we looked across to the old Army Navy Hospital.

Perhaps soon we will be hiking many of the trails on this mountain! If we hike both mountains in one day we can get an AVA stamp!! Maybe one day.

Lake Catherine State Park hike

The weather is fabulous so today we chose to hike Lake Catherine State Park. There just happens to be one geocache out there that I had not done. We wobbled across the hanging bridge and headed straight up the hill.

What a climb! But it was worth it to come across these deer. This deer never got up as we walked nearby.

This one was not too sure about us.

We went from the Horseshoe Trail (yellow) to the Falls Branch Trail (red) so I called it our orange hike.  The recent heavy rains provided for swollen streams and that provided us a nice rushing water sound for our hike. What a delight to come across these clusters of spicebush swallowtails.

This was one of my favorites until I saw all the new butterfly species in Phoenix at the Botannical Gardens.

I paused to appreciate the CCC workers who built these rock steps for us. Now that the water has rushed down the hillsides for so many years they could sure come add a couple of steps in a few places.

I think the Falls Branch Trail is my favorite of the three at the park. It is the shortest but it also meanders alongside the creek flowing towards Lake Catherine.

The waterfall was rushing downstream as we neared the lake. We passed a guy sitting on the bank fishing. That was the first time I have seen anyone fishing there but he said he had caught some.

That made us hungry and since it was noon it was hurry to the house for lunch!!

Hot Springs National Park quarter

April 20 was a day for Hot Springs to celebrate and many did! A crowd gathered in front of the Hot Springs National Park Administration Building to be a part of the festivities honoring the first quarter to be released in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

There will be five released each year in the order in which the location was established as a national site. Ten dollar rolls were sold at the site and the lines were long.

Andrew Jackson was president when Congress established the Hot Springs Reservation on April 20, 1832. I enjoyed a visit with his reenactor from Kansas City.

The coins in the fountain were in the one pictured on the quarter that stands in front of the entrance to the administration building.

Having the quarter rolls signed by the visiting dignitaries seemed to be the thing to do so I joined in the fun. Edmund Moy, director of the United States Mint has probably rarely felt so important.

And Josie Fernandez, Superintendent of Hot Springs National Park, must have signed her name thousands of times throughout the day.

Even Leon got caught up in the fun and got a signature from Ernie Quintana, National Park Service Midwest Regional Director. I must wonder if a ten dollar roll is selling for forty dollars on ebay did we destroy the value or make them more valuable?

Park rangers were busy providing hot water cups to the crowd.

The nearby post office offered a special stamp for the occasion so people even lined up to get envelopes and quarters stamped there. They would stamp anything that had a first class stamp attached. I went back later in the day and got a few. And there was Josie, still autographing. It is no wonder she feels so important!!

How fun it would be to be in Yellowstone on June 1 for their quarter celebration but previous plans prevent that. I could be selling quarters for $1 each on ebay but I remind myself I am retired.

A Walk through history

An older home built in Hot Springs about 1905 was the choice for the monthly Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. My mother went to parties there in the 1930s and I rode horses on the property in the 1950s so we went for the tour of the rustic 4,338 sq. ft. home built to resemble an Adirondack cabin.

The crowd grew until they had to turn people away so we stood out front for a 40 minute talk about the history of the house and the owners. Old people standing for that long is not necessarily good so when one keeled over and the ambulance came then we started our house tour. It was like old home week running into people I had not seen in fifty years!

My sister joined us and was excited to discover the old home foundation torn down when the "cabin" was built.

I keep telling Leon if he will build me an arbor like this then I will plant wisteria. Mine would not have to be large enough to drive through!

Garvan Gardens

The weather is close to perfect! I have missed the daffodils and tulips at Garvan Gardens but I hear the azaleas are blooming! Leon, Kay, Lola and I went to see after lunch at The Filling Station and they are gorgeous.

I forget what this is but it puts on quite a show!

Even though it was Derby Day at Oaklawn Park (race track) there was a good crowd and the koi were getting plenty of food.

I always seem to go past the waterfall first.

It was Lola's first visit to the park. She was quite exhuberant. "No, Lola, you can't play with that dog."

As we topped the hill we saw that the tulips were not completely finished blooming.

There is a new lake overlook being built at the end of the wildflower walk. I look forward to seeing what they do with this area.

 Some dogwoods are still in bloom but not many. However there are lots of budding azaleas so they should last a while.

We will save the new children's garden for our next visit. Our tongues were hanging out...well some of us who aren't so use to such a long walk!

Antiquing

It was a beautiful spring day for an outing so Golden, Chris, Darla and I went to Malvern to a couple of antique shops. From there we traveled on to Benton to check the Blue Suede Shoes antique mall. Here we saw a circus display made with miniatures in the 1950s. It was quite amazing and for $25,000 I could have brought it home.

Golden, Darla, and Chris all found some treasures. I have no more room for anything; treasure or not!

Jiggety Jog

We just got back from our 5,025 mile round trip through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to Las Vegas. It was a great time but it is good to be back home. We were welcomed with Easter dinner leftovers on Chris' deck in Crystal Springs.

Our trip blogs are posted in the right lane.

The daffodils bloomed without us but the dogwoods and redbuds are putting on a show. The pollen is so thick that at times it looked like we were driving into yellow clouds. Well that is an exageration, but not much of one.

Looking for spring

Here it is the end of February and our temperatures are a good ten degrees below average. And the last nine days I have spent sitting in my chair blowing my nose! But no more! We are going looking for spring. You will soon find us in the right lane in search of sunshine and warmer temperatures. We are loaded and ready to roll out on Sunday. We think Arizona is the place to begin our search! You can ride along with us on our other blog listed in the right column:  Susan and Leon's travels. Just click on it or the "in the right lane" link above.
Cheers, m'dears!

Come on, Spring

The temperatures rose to 50 and we were rarin' to get outside. So why not go back to Cedar Glades Park and hike the green trail again so that I could set out another geocache. I had already picked my spot, or so I thought. But I decided to take a container with toys and had to locate something suitable for a little box 4x6".
Leon found a disc for the frisbee disc course while he was searching down by the creek. No, Leon, not a discus.

We were in the middle of the 18 hole disc golf course so Leon proceeded to play while I did my "work."  The woods are so beautiful this time of year. I found a nice empty stump in which to hide my cache.

He finally caught on but did not quite make par!! Not bad for his first game I guess.

Let the Good Times Roll!

I just could not let Fat Tuesday go by without a little celebration so I put together an impromptu celebration and friends gathered. Cissy, Darla and Chris gathered in the kitchen where Darla was cooking crab legs while the red beans and rice simmered on the stove. They just happen to be standing beside the platter of boudain!

I put on my Martha Stewart cap, or was it apron, and made an ice bowl decorated with beads in the traditional green, gold, and purple of Mardi Gras! I filled it with frozen shrimp and the feast began!

Kay and Lola also came as well as Kay Ekey. Leon decided that was too many women at one time and went over to the Elks' Lodge to see what was happening. Smart fellow!

Cissy got the piece of king cake with the baby in it. I guess we will be having the next party at her place! This is the proof.

Oyster Bar

Wooooeeeeeeeeeee!!! This new restaurant in Hot Springs is rising to the top of my list as a place to go for oysters.  One visit let me know the oysters were delicious and the ice cold beer complimented them nicely!  Then I tried a cup of gumbo and found it to be very good. The fried oysters and shrimp that followed were yes, fried, but in a delicate batter. I did not feel like I was eating heavy fried food. I look forward to the day they offer grilled and vegetarian fare.                             

During the 70's and 80's, Russ, the owner, had the S.O.B. (shrimp oyster and beerhause) in Little Rock. From 4 to 6 we can get Pitchers and Pounds that includes half price peel and eat shrimp. I will save that for when I am tired of oysters!

I have longed for Franke's cafeteria that once occupied this building across from the Buckstaff Bath House but for now, this will do!

Tuesday is Fat Tuesday so this will be my Mardi Gras celebration for this year! Laissez les bon temps rouler!!

 

February snow

We have had a couple of small snows in February. The first time we just got a dusting as we were on the lower edge of the line. I am sure the birds are wondering where to get a drink.

This snow was a little heavier but not much. We were at the top edge of the line. Even Tyler, Texas had 5 1/2 inches. There will be no picnic on the patio for a while.

No bar-b-q either, even though it is veggies we barbecue!

This was a really light powdery snow that was beautiful on the trees and shrubs. By noon it was all gone and I was off for Cafe 1217 to meet friends for lunch.
Four years ago Leon and I met in the desert of southern California so we had a divine dinner at J&S Italian Villa to celebrate the occasion. And then we fought to stay awake for the opening ceremony of the Oympics.