Exploring Arkansas

The Talimena National Scenic Byway offers some of the most breathtaking sights of the Ouachitas near Mena. War Eagle Mill near Rogers is a storybook setting that takes you back in time - "…down by the old mill stream." It's been referred to as "The Land That Time Forgot"-an extremely remote area deep in the Ozark National Forest that's called the Devil's Eyebrow.

The Stack Rock Special Interest Area in the Ozark National Forest near Witts Spring is known for its geologic and scenic qualities. Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge situated along the Mississippi Flyway in east Arkansas has been referred to as a "wetland paradise in a sea of agriculture." The Historic Van Winkle Trail is featured at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, which is actually Arkansas' largest state park near Rogers.

After being closed for quite a number of years, Lake Fort Smith State Park has reopened bigger and better than ever near Mountainburg in northwest Arkansas. We'll take you on a kayak tour of this 1490 acre reservoiRiver Mystic Caverns south of Harrison offers two caverns only 400 feet apart from one another-the other is Crystal Dome Cavern The only Federally protected ghost town in the country is Rush, in the lower portion of the Buffalo National River region.

It's been called the most spectacular bluff line in all of the Ozarks-Home Valley Bluff near Nail-you'll see why in this episode. The cradle of Arkansas history is also explored at Arkansas Post near Gillette. Trumpeter Swans and snow geese at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge near Russellville display their grace and beauty in the third segment.

The Sweden Creek Falls Natural Area is one of many that's protected by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission Hole In The Rock Falls and Azalea Falls are also featured. Boxley Valley Scenic Drive offers a wonderful experience with elk, plus Arkansas heritage and history. A kayaking excursion at Lake Ouachita State Park provides a unique up close look at bald eagles.

This episode begins by exploring the heavens with the Arkansas Oklahoma Astronomical Society at the Coleman Observatory northwest of Van Buren Then it's off to the east fork of the Little Buffalo for some whitewater kayaking adventure. Episode closes out with a wild cave venture into Uno Cave west of Fayetteville.

Sustained flight without an engine is what the art of soaring is all about. We'll take you for a flight in a glider or "sailplane" near Wynne. One of the state's largest natural bridges is at the Alum Cove Recreation Area south of Jasper-where you can also find eerie cave like rooms. The Buffalo Gap Auto Tour offers a unique back roads look at the Ouachita National Forest.

It's one of the most rugged and treacherous terrains of all the Ozarks-Indian Creek Canyon just south of the upper portion of the Buffalo National RiveRiver Hiking the canyon is recommended for experienced hikers only. We'll take you through it and show you all the spectacular sights. Then it's off on the Ouachita to re live the Hunter, Dunbar expedition with a group of Ouachita Baptist University students. Episode closes out with mountain biking atop Mt. Nebo near Dardanelle.

The Longpool Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest northwest of Dover is well known for its camping and swimming opportunities-but not too many folks are aware of the falls behind the camping area. It's not quite the Caribbean coral reef, but the rock reefs in one of the clearest lakes in the country-Lake Ouachita make for quite a snorkeling outing at Crawdad Island. The "Nars" and Skull Bluff along the middle portion of the Buffalo National River are two very unusual rock formations which are explored in the closing segment.

The oldest structure along the Buffalo National River Park system is the Parker Hickman log home, built in 1840. The site is actually an entire farmstead that's been preserved. The Pilot Rock area near Clarksville in the Ozark National Forest, is quite a success story dealing with woodland ecosystem restoration The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area north of Mountain View offers a wide array of outdoor adventure - hiking, mountain biking, trout fishing, camping, swimming, a bluff shelter and a historic mill site.

Special interest areas within our national forests are just that-special. We'll explore the Blue Hole Special Interest Area north of Jerusalem in the Ozark National Forest and show you why this area has received that "special" designation Then it's off on an excursion through the Rex Hancock, Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area south of Augusta. Episode closes out with a hike to the storybook setting of Hideout Hollow in the upper portion of the Buffalo National River near Compton

Host Chuck Dovish reveals his ten favorite places in Arkansas. Based on either the spectacular scenery, their uniqueness or the adventure that's available, these ten locations cover all four seasons. From a drive through safari, to a working grist mill, to a dinner train excursion, a snowy mountaintop, to a wild cave journey-Chuck takes us through each special place all the way up to his number one pick.