We’d like to say a special thanks to our friend Debbie Marie Smith for the photo of the elk at Boxley. If you have any interest in outdoor photography (and who doesn’t?) you’ll want to keep an especially close eye on our website. We plan to begin featuring outdoor photographers like Debbie from time to time, so stay tuned!
The date was Saturday, October 21, 2017. You may wonder why, with so many dates and so many adventures on a permanent if random loop in my head I recall this one specifically. Well, I will tell you. I had resolved to head up to Newton County the preceding Friday evening. The plan was to camp at Ozark and do a little fall foliage hiking in the Buffalo River corridor.
Because I have a blog post up my sleeve I’ll stop there except to say there were many other adventurers in Newton County that weekend too, but they were there for something else – Color Fest. It’s this weekend, fellow adventurers.
If you can spare a long day I recommend driving up National Scenic Byway 7 to Jasper. Don’t eat breakfast before you leave, because Blue Mountain Cafe will serve you multi-grain waffles or pancakes (or both, we don’t judge) that will fuel you up in style for the day’s adventures.
After you’ve waddled back to your vehicle point the hood toward Highway 7 once more for the short jaunt to the junction of Highway 74. You’ll turn left there just across the Little Buffalo then make your way toward Highway 43, stopping to take in the emeralds, blues, reds, yellows, ochres and any other Autumn hues that present themselves at Steel Creek. After you ascend from Steel Creek back onto 74 you’ll be a stone’s throw from Ponca and Color Fest. I won’t tell you what to do there because, as I said, I’ve never been. I do know they have art for sale, elk stuff and grub. Come to think of it, one year we may make it. Who knows? You might even see us there!
When you leave Color Fest the shadows will be lengthening and you’ll be forced to choose between staying in God’s country or returning to reality. If reality is your destination (sigh) fear not! The Gram will tell you how to soften the blow.
From the Elk Education Center turn left onto 43 and amble down to the Ponca low water bridge. Drink in the view up river and down, then return to 43 and head toward Boxley where you’ll begin the return journey in earnest. If you’re able you might want to stop at Alum Cove on the way home, but if you find yourself short on time or initiative (or both) not to worry. There will be plenty of opportunities for gawking from the road, including in the fields along Highway 43 where the elk often strut their stuff.
Alternatively, if you’re not feeling the DIY adventure vibe you can let the US Forest Service squire you around instead. Don’t dawdle though, seats will go fast.
For the cliff and trail junkies among us the annual Hiking the Ozarks Rendezvous is coming up November 1st through 3rd at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. This is a signature event with a very welcoming and inclusive culture, so if you’d like to try your hand (or feet) at climbing or hiking it’s the place to be.
Can’t make it all the way to Newton County? No sweat! There’s plenty of adventure to be had all around The Natural State. Cases in point:
Friday, October 25th things will get a little spooky at Crowley’s Ridge State Park with Ghosts, Legends and the Unexplained, while over on the Big Muddy at Mississippi River State Park they’ll be sharing S’mores, Smoke and Stories.
Also on Friday the 25th Petit Jean State Park will host a hike into “Sleepy Hollow” complete with a rendition of Washington Irving’s classic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
On Saturday the 26th Wooly Hollow State Park will host its fifth annual Wooly Holloween complete with hot chocolate, hayrides and historic cabin tours. Village Creek, Cane Creek, White Oak Lake, Lake Catherine and Degray Lake State Parks will all host their own Halloween soirees that evening as well, so take your pick!
In November there are all sorts of opportunities for adventure. Our good friends at The Dome Life and Nature Conservancy have something truly special on tap at Rattlesnake Ridge. Fall Into Nature s a free event with activities for every interest and skill level. November 9th is the big day. Don’t miss it!
Still not enough? Okay, how about lake tours, fall foliage hikes, knots and navigation sessions, geocaching hikes……..the list goes on, but not here! For everything we’ve mentioned and a whole lot more check out the State Park’s events calendar.
It’s fall, folks. There’s all kinds of excellent Arkansas adventure to be had, from hiking to float camping to fall foliage tours to haunted, well, everything, and if the taskmasters that drive us all won’t grant you a reprieve this weekend don’t despair. The colors and weather that make Arkansas adventure in Autumn so special will abide with us until early November.
Don’t wait too long though, because before you know it we’ll have traded our Chacos for wool socks and dug our wetsuits and drysuits out of the paddling gear pile. We’ll be ready for those adventures when they’re ready for us, but there’s no sense in wishing our lives away. Go get you some Autumn in Arkansas while you can. Fall to it! Too much? Okay.
See you out there!
Deuce
