Exploring Arkansas

It's not every day you get to board not one, but two of Columbus' ships-the Nina and the Pinta. The replicas of the ships docked at Little Rock's Riverfront Park recently serving as traveling museums for school groups and visitors. One of the largest Civil War reenactments in Arkansas takes place every other year the first Saturday in November at Historic Washington State Park near Hope with more than 200 reenactors usually participating. In a combined effort involving the Army Corps of Engineers, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and the private sector, a man made habitat has been established for the endangered Least Terns and other waterfowl on the Arkansas River near Petit Jean Mountain .

It was a dream of Alice Walton (daughter of Sam Walton) to establish as a gift-a world class art museum in Arkansas-with the belief that American art belongs in the heartland. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is that dream come true. It tells the story of America from the Colonial era to the present through original masterpieces. The Lower Lake Waterfowl Refuge south of DeGray Lake near Arkadelphia is a 400 acre haven for all sorts of waterfowl plus bald eagles. The Wolf House a two story log building built in 1829 in Norfork happens to be the oldest public structure in Arkansas. Falls Creek Falls at Lake Catherine State Park near Hot Springs is an easy hike to a peaceful waterfall setting that's surrounded by huge boulders for plenty of sit down space to enjoy a pack lunch by the water.

A float trip down the Kings River in north Arkansas is especially rewarding during the winter months since the chances of spotting bald eagles is quite good. In the only museum of its kind in the nation, the Gangster Museum of America portrays not the deeds of gangsters, but their impact and lifestyle when they came to Hot Springs on so called "neutral" ground. Bluffton was once a thriving community near Clinton in the mid 1800's. The old post office, general store still stands. Panther Bluff Falls and Camp Creek Falls are two waterfalls that can easily be enjoyed immediately off the road north of Dierks.

The Caddo Bend Trail at Lake Ouachita State Park is a 4 mile hike around Point 50 Peninsula which includes many scenic vistas of the lake. The West Northwest Scenic Byway southeast of Fort Smith, is the newest addition to the Arkansas Scenic Byway system. Comprised of four state highways and traversing mainly through the Ouachita National Forest, this byway offers many scenic views, with one of them being the tallest peak in the state - Mt. Magazine. Sentinel Rock and Bingham Hollow Falls in northwest Arkansas are a couple of lesser known waterfalls that will simply take your breath away when they're at their optimal flow.

Car Wash Falls south of Deer along Big Piney Creek, is just what the name says-a drive through waterfall that'll give your vehicle a thorough wash to say the least. Onyx Cave near Eureka Springs may be small, but it makes up for it with magnificent cave formations. Blowing Springs in Bella Vista is a spectacular and scenic mountain bike trail that's ideal for the beginner to the more experienced rider Bayou DeView in the Dagmar Wildlife Management Area near Brinkley is the latest addition to the Arkansas Water Trail System.

A combination of the old and new-the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop is Highway 71 and Interstate 540 which connect Alma and Fayetteville traversing some of the highest plateaus in the Ozarks. Two species of woodland salamanders make their home in the Ouachita Mountain range of Arkansas and are found nowhere else on earth. The Jewel Moore Nature Reserve on the UCA campus in Conway provides a 19 acre outdoor classroom for thousands of students both on and off campus.

Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs is an internationally respected botanical garden It's also one of top five botanical gardens in the nation The Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff features bald eagles, a resident alligator, fish native to Arkansas and a trail system for viewing wildlife out in the wetland area. Fort Curtis in Helena is a re production of a Civil War earthen fort the only one of its kind in the region The Little Blakely Trail System is comprised of several loop trails in the Ouachita National Forest. Open to hikers and mountain bikers, if offers spectacular views of Lake Ouachita.

Fort Rock near Combs in the Ozark National Forest is a recreated 1800's style fort and old West town that gives families an opportunity to stay in a blockhouse and experience a slower pace of life when families spent time together "Shape Note Gatherings" or Sacred Harp Singings are held throughout the country to keep alive this early American art form. One such gathering is featured at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View. Rainbow Lorikeets and African penguins at the LR Zoo offer visitors a unique interactive experience.

If you always wanted to swing to higher heights, then the sky swing at the Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca is the mega swing that'll satisfy any thrill seeker's needs. River wade fishing for bass is a technique that can be used on just about any stream reeling in successful results. Kayak fishing on the Arkansas River near a Least Tern sanctuary makes for a pleasant outing in catching fish and viewing the endangered birds. Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville is not only a popular sunset location, but also served as a strategic spot during the Civil War .

You can re trace the longest stagecoach route in the history of the world-by driving a portion of it through northwest Arkansas by way of the Butterfield Heritage Trail A gem of a hiking trail that's hardly been publicized until now, is the one that loops around Lake Alma in the town of Alma. A unique mountain biking experience along Crowley's Ridge can be enjoyed at Village Creek State Park north of Forrest City. Hiking and blue ribbon smallmouth bass fishing are offered at the Conservation Education Center along Crooked Creek near Yellville.

The Museum of Native American Histoy in Bentonville is a collection, according to many visitors rivals that of the Smithsonian with artifacts from 14,000 years ago. The "White River Monster" hasn't been sighted since the early 1970's, but its legend continues in the Newport area. The Possum Kingdom Trail north of Lake Ouachita in the Ouachita National Forest offers mountain biking opportunities on gravel, paved and unsurfaced road types. The self proclaimed "Coolest Town in Arkansas" (coldest place on average) happens to be Gilbert near the banks of the Buffalo National River The town and the General Store haven't changed much since 1901.