November 19, 2021 Travel to Fort Smith Arkansas

We woke this morning to a hard frost and the steam coming off the Arkansas River:

After packing up and dumping the tanks, we headed west on the blue routes:

Our route took us thru many small towns, past many farms with horses and cows.  I even saw a herd of white cows – never saw that before.

Many towns had murals and I just love this one:

I did take quite a few more pictures but I am having some problems with them being blurry..  Will have to check it out.

We are now in another Army Corp of Engineer Park – Springhill – near Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Our site:

I just love these parks.  This one is also along the Arkansas River.  Behind us is the Massard Creek that feeds into the Arkansas.

After setting up, we decided to take a ride to check out Fort Smith and the area around us.  We came home to this beautiful sunset:

We will be here for a few days.  There is a National Park Historic Fort that we want to check out so stay tuned and enjoy today.

Miles Traveled:  124 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arkansas: SR-60; SR-113; SR-9; AR-10; SR-96; SR-22; SR-59

November 16-18, 2021–Toad Suck Park and Cadron Settlement

Tuesday and Wednesday were our hang out at the Park, get laundry and shopping done, and relax.  The weather was sunny/cloudy, warm and beautiful.

The kitties enjoying the view:

And here was our view of the Park, Arkansas River, and the Lock and Dam:

We talked with the camp hosts who told us that in 2019 this park was under 32 feet of water.  Oh My!  So I google it and WOW! – all those folks who lost homes here.  Sad.  As for the park, they have done an incredible job of getting it back together.

The full moon behind clouds on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, we decided to play tourist and visited Cadron Settlement Park by the Arkansas River.

Where the Park is now, there was an early Arkansas settlement near the confluence of Cadron Creek and the Arkansas River. It was also among the first permanent European settlements in central Arkansas. Eventually trading routes, trails, and ferries connected Cadron to Arkansas Post, St. Louis and Hot Springs. It was even being considered for the capital of Arkansas Territory, and it was a stop on the Butterfield Trail along the Butterfield Overland Mail Route.  Sadly the Trail of Tears went thru here.  It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

This is a replica of the Blockhouse that was built on this site in the late 1700’s.  It was originally constructed for defense purposes but over the course of its life, it was used as a trading post, a residence, a public gathering place and a place of refuge from attacks.

It is beautiful:

The ovens:

During the civil war:

We walked down to the docks by the Arkansas River:

Looking up at the fort:

One last look as we walked the grounds:

A stop at one of the lookouts:

It is a very pretty park.  There are lots of trails, picnic areas, and boating areas.

Tomorrow we head west so stay tuned and enjoy today.

November 15, 2021 Travel to Toad Suck Park in Arkansas

We left early this morning and headed southwest, mostly on I-40.

The western part of Tennessee reminds me of PA with the rolling hills:

Past cotton fields – sorry about the picture:

And thru Memphis.  Every time I see this building, I know the Mississippi River is coming up.

This is the bridge that had some structural issues and was shut down for a while.  I cannot imagine the traffic jams on the other roads.

Into Arkansas:

Crossing the Mississippi:

We are officially in the west –

We had a long day and my Andy brought us safely to Toad Suck Park (I just LOVE the name).  It is an Army Corp of Engineer Park on the Arkansas River.  Here is our view and site:

The cities offer some great things but being in nature really sooths the soul.  So we will be here for four nights to relax (and get laundry done – LOL).

Stay tuned and enjoy today.

Miles Traveled: 390 – Long Day!

Routes Traveled:

Tennessee: Music Valley Drive;, McGavock Pike; SR-155; I-40

Arkansas: I-40; SR-60/286; Park Road