Outdoor Adventures: The Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas

Before the days of the Internet and phones, a very beautiful thing happened in our country: people actually talked to each other. But they didn't just talk about politics or weather. They talked about the land and they talked about things necessary to exist like where the nearest spring was, or salt. I have a cockamamie theory about all this talking, but I think it might be true. The Internet, as a whole, is used to promote things be it ideas or products. I still believe that the most special things - those free of promotion and commercialism - might be the hardest to find. And thus you only know about them if someone tells you about them. They won't be listed on some chamber of commerce website or tourist promotional. I spent one of the best days of my life at a secluded cenote deep in the jungles of a the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico because of this exact idea. A local person, Cynthia Castle, told us about this secret spot, mostly void of the taint of tourism and we stayed there the whole day swimming, getting a tan, and relishing in the sanctity of that magical place. One of these days I will post a blog about that whole experience. In the meantime here is a video teaser.

I do my best to learn life's lessons as they present themselves, and my Day at the Cenote was a great lesson to learn. That lesson, as I said earlier, is that usually the best places are the ones someone tells you about. They are not advertised. I believe if a place is cool enough that it compels them to mention it, then it's probably worth checking out.

Now, I do recognize the irony of this blog post. I'm using the internet to tell you that the best places are mentioned through stories told in personal interaction. I hope you will forgive me! However, I consider blog a more modern version of storytelling. Were I to cross paths with you on the street or at a party, I would tell you the same thing I am writing here. Blogs, after all, are just modern versions of a printed letter.

Now for just a moment imagine we cross paths. We are both on horseback and I am headed west. You are headed east. Knowing you are headed where I just came from I would say, "Friend, let me tell you about a place you simply must go. I want to tell you all about it." Then I would proceed to tell you the following story:

That place is the Ouachita (Pronounced "Wash-eh-tah") Mountains of west central Arkansas. Nestled away like a naturalist's enclave, these mountains are so remote and rugged they couldn't be developed even if someone wanted to. There are no paved roads and no outside communication. We barely even received a radio station! Amazingly, were you to drive pass the southern edge of the Ouachita Mountains on Interstate 30, you would never even know they were there. But once you head north from Hope, Arkansas, it isn't long before you see them in the distance.

Donna and I discovered the Ouachita Mountains when one of her friends (ta-da!) told her about them. About four years ago I took Donna on her first camping trip there and we vowed to return, which we did just a few weeks ago. I am always pleasantly shocked by the beauty of these rugged mountains. They are about a three and half hour drive north of Shreveport, but amazingly most people in Shreveport that I have talked to have never heard of them!

Our original plan was to camp near Little Missouri Falls. Unfortunately, a momma dog with her four pups discovered us when we were about to set up camp and so we felt the need to relocate to avoid any conflict. We searched in vain for a Forest Service worker to tell about the abandoned dogs but couldn't find any. We ended up leaving them some dog food hoping someone of authority would find them, and then proceeded onward looking for an alternate camping site before we lost daylight.

Although we were sad about the abandoned dogs, our change of plans actually led to an amazing discovery: Bard Springs.

Bard Springs is a mineral spring deep in the mountains. It was originally homesteaded by Mr. Bard, and the springs were famous for their cool, supposedly healing mineral waters. They even built a bathhouse there in the 1950's. Once the land became part of the National Forest Service, the springs were converted to a campsite. We were excited to find lean-to's, which meant we wouldn't have to fiddle with our tent.

As always, this trip was too short. We passed three days hiking, enjoying the scenery and relishing in the disconnect from society. Cell phones have zero chance of working up in the Ouachita Mountains. It's refreshing, but potentially dangerous. A few years ago, a flash flood killed 12 people at the Albert Pike campground in this same area. Many of them were in RV's and did not know there was a flood until they were floating away. The lack of phones and radio communication prevented early warnings as well as hampering recovery efforts. Today, Albert Pike is closed except for day use and everywhere you go are a bevy of "Flash flood Area" warning signs.

Here is a link to that story:

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Media/campers-killed-arkansas-flash-flood-albert-pike-campground/story?id=10889327#.UKE4Es1wcwQ

I've said it before and I'll say it again: in our modern society, people forget that most of the advancements we have made are because we have figured out genius ways to insulate ourselves from the reality of nature - and when that falseness collides with reality - sometimes the result are tragic. It only reiterates the importance of knowing your surroundings, watching the weather, and having a plan and a backup plan for all situations.

One of the major highlights of the trip was the incredible fall foliage. Who needs New England when you have the Ouachita Mountains? We were constantly awed by the colors around every corner and if you love fall colors these mountains should be your next stop.

Aside from one flat tire on an excursion over to Shady Lake, the Ouachita Mountains were once again a great trip. The weather was nice, and because most of the area is hight then 2,000 feet in altitude, it tends to be six to nine degrees cooler than Shreveport. You throw in a cool breeze and it's perfect camping weather!

As always I've talked too much, so I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking!