Exploring Arkansas

Resembling the Jetsons flying car… the 21st century gyroplane is a personal aircraft that's currently being sold in more than forty countries. We take a test "drive" in one, zooming through the Ozarks. Artist Point along Hwy 71 north of Mountainburg offers one of the most spectacular views in NW Arkansas. The trail leads hikers to Artist Point Falls. The Lower White River Museum State Park in Des Arc portrays the vital role of a river-based economy as pioneers and early settlers migrated west. Blue Spring Heritage Center near Eureka Springs is the second largest spring in the state. It's also the location of an Ozark Bluff Shelter, whose inhabitants occupied the site some 10,000 years ago. The spring and the shelter are along the path of the Trail of Tears.

An Ozark snowfall creates a glorious picture postcard scene near Anvil Rock, overlooking the Mulberry River northwest of Ozark. Winter's sub zero temperatures transform the trail leading to Glory Hole Falls into breathtaking views of ice and flowing water. The Grant County Museum in Sheridan contains ten galleries plus an outside Heritage Square, that traces the county's development from pre historic times to the present… and then some. Episode concludes with a "snow float" along Crooked Creek near Harrison, observing winter wildlife.

The art of falconry dates back about 3000 years, and is still common today. At DeGray Lake Resort State Park, public falconry hunts are incorporated with the eagle outings. Marble Falls -- once a part of Dogpatch USA—is a spring-fed waterfall, providing a year-round flow and is visible from Scenic Byway 7, along with the town of Marble Falls. Standing Rock is what's left of a massive rock formation in the Ouachita National Forest south of Mena. Driving along the Mississippi River levee at Lake Chicot State Park, provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the history, wildlife and culture of the area.

In a remote area of the Ozark National Forest between Cass and Oark, along Mulberry Valley and the Mulberry River…is Mulberry Valley Falls – a spectacular three-tier waterfall hidden in the wilderness, and can only be reached by way of bushwhacking. Every spring, folks from all over make their annual pilgrimage to Wye Mountain northwest of Little Rock to view seven acres of more than thirty varieties of daffodils. The Little Red River in Heber Springs is a world-class trout stream where fly-fishing for rainbow trout is therapy for the soul. The Natural Bridge of Arkansas north of Clinton is a rock arch wonder that spans 105 feet and is more than three million years old.

The Mossy Bluff National Nature Trail begins at the William Carl Garner Visitors Center in Heber Springs and meanders along a bluff, offering spectacular views of the Little Red River and Greers Ferry Dam. The lost art of handcrafting wooden canoes and kayaks is kept alive by a boat builder in Bentonville. DeSoto Bluff Trail Park in Arkadelphia overlooks the Ouachita River and serves as an outdoor classroom for area school students. Reed's Bridge Battlefield along Bayou Meto just south of Jacksonville, preserves the site of a forgotten Civil War skirmish in 1863. It also includes an 1860 era replica of a farmstead.

The deepest canyon in the Ozarks south of Jasper is nicknamed-"Arkansas' Grand Canyon." It's been visited by millions of travelers since 1955 - including Harry and Bess Truman and Bill Clinton, who used the beauty of Scenic Byway 7 to propose to Hillary. The Mulberry River in northwest Arkansas was officially designated in 1985 by the state legislature as a "Wild and Scenic River." -A float trip down it, is definitely that ! Earthquake Ridge Trail north of Mena is a great hiking and mountain biking trail that parallels the Talimena Scenic Byway. It's named as such, not because of an earthquake, but after all the rock crevices nearby the trail. Early railroad days come alive at the restored 1902 St. Joe Historic RR Depot/Museum.

88-year old Millie Calhoun's dream has always been to float the Buffalo National River. We made that dream come true by arranging her very first float trip down America's first national river. The Whitewater Recreation Park along the Illinois River south of Siloam Springs, provides kayaking adventure for both beginners and experts…not to mention tubing fun for everyone. A popular swimmin' hole is located at the Longpool Recreation Area along Big Piney Creek near Dover. Huge boulders provide natural diving platforms. Kayaking and canoeing can also be enjoyed on this creek.

One of the fastest growing water sports is standing up on a surf board and paddling upright –thus the name—Standup Paddleboarding. We join a group of standup paddleboarders on Beaver Lake near in northwest Arkansas. Miner's Rock Trail along Lake Leatherwood near Eureka Springs is one of the more popular mountain bike trails in the area. Miner's Rock itself is quite the sight ! What do you get when you team up with a river guide who calls himself "Mountain Man?" -- Well, you're in for quite an adventure with "tall tales" and plenty of fish! The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area north of Mountain View offers not one, but two fantastic swimmin' holes along North Sylamore Creek.

The Arkansas Air & Military Museum in Fayetteville brings back the golden age of aviation under two hangers – one of which itself is a part of American history. Every Labor Day weekend in Clinton, things get real wild and wooly to say the least, during the National Championship Chuckwagon Races.

The Trolley Museum in Fort Smith is not just a static display. One of the three streetcars operates through town on a daily basis. From the nearly 4000 B-29's that were built during WWII, the only one still flying made a tour stop in Fayetteville, with the pilot being a local resident. Named after an active seismic fault in the area, the Enders Fault Mountain Bike Trail is the newest addition at Woolly Hollow State Park near Greenbrier.

The fascination of caves is something that is never-ending. Humans have been exploring caves for more than 500,000 years. They were first used by early man for shelter, as a source of medicinal minerals, ceremonial rituals, revivals, hideouts for outlaws, and even to distill moonshine. In this day-and-age, caves are popular for their awesome beauty and wonder. During this special wild caving adventure, we'll take you through some of our most memorable and awe-inspiring caves in The Natural State.