Sep 17, 2016 - Winding roads and Fort Smith

The first Fort Smith was built in 1817 by troops of the 7th Infantry Regiment to keep peace in the Arkansas River Valley between the native Osage and newly arriving Cherokee. The Fort was built of logs and stone at a spot known as Belle Point by the French trappers. The Army abandoned the fort in 1824 and moved further west. In 1836 the Army returned to the fort to meet treaty obligations to supply the relocatin tribes during the Trail of Tears. The Trail of Tears was the U.S. government way taking over the existing Indian Tribes land to...

Sep 16, 2016 - A river and a new campground

We have spent 2 night at the Gulpha Campground at Hot Springs National Park. Sites were big enough for the 40' RV and still had room enough for our car in front. Quiet, well maintained park. Concrete pads, water, sewer, 50amp. Close to highway 7 but no road noise. In the trees so no satellite but we have figured out the On Air TV, so did have older shows to watch and local news. In fact we got flash flood warnings for Little Rock the first night there. We had a little rain but not enough to even wash the windshield. We are now headed North...

Sep 15, 2016 - Little Rock

IN 1954 the Supreme Court mandates desegregation with "all deliberate speed." In 1957, Sept 4, nine Negro students tried to attend the all while Little Rock Central High School. They were barred from entering. It was not until Sept 23rd that the Little rock Nine entered the school. Riots ensue and the students leave school by a side entrance. On Sept. 24th President Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard and sends 1,200 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock. On the 25th the nine students re-enter school. The...

Sep 14, 2016 - Hot Springs and A mountain drive

Water! That is what brought people to Hot Springs originally and still brings them today. The U.S. Government protected the springs in 1832, 40 years before Yellowstone became a National Park. We are currently camping in the Gulpha Campground run by the National Park. Large pads, water, 50 amp service and sewer. so first thing was dump the tanks and then start a load of clothes. Then we are off to the d Center. The VC is located in one of the old bath houses. The gift shop in another and 2 more are still working bathhouses. May need to go...

Sep 13, 2016 - Hope & Clinton

We are now in Hope, the birthplace of President Clinton. We are staying at the local city park/fairgrounds. We have 50 amp power and water for only $15.00 a night. Clinton lived in this home the first 4 years of his life. It is not the original furniture but furniture of that era.

Sep 12, 2016 - Arkansas Post

We are spending the night at an Army Corps of Engineering park, Pendleton Bend, water and 50 amp hook up for only $9.50. after we are set up it is off to Arkansas Post, a fort and trading area that has been in use since the early 1600's. The Quapaw Indians were already established here when the French explorers came in 1682. The Indians were friendly and the French were fur trappers. Due to a glut in fur the post was abandoned in 1699. In 1721 the post is reestablished with a French military garrison. Flooding and Chickasaw raids force the...

Aug 23, 2016 - Bull Shoals Lake (COE) (8/17 - 8/20/16)

I had never heard of Bull Shoals Lake, but it is a lake on the Bass Masters Tournament circuit. It is another Corps of Engineers lake. We love these lakes and parks because they are always very well maintained. It cost us $9.50 per night (with the senior pass). We were there 4 nights, but got there in the evening on the first night and weren't charged for it. The bathroom/showers were very nice. It was just a great park. The park is right on the lake. We were in site #4. I didn't get pictures of our site, but I did get some of the gorgeous...

Aug 23, 2016 - Prairie Grove (8/15 - 8/16/16)

After leaving Oologah, OK, we went over to Prairie Grove, AR to spend a couple of days with our wonderful friends, Randy and Robin. They have a beautiful historic home that they have completely remodeled. They are now in the process of selling it to move outside of town to the country! Way to go!! We parked our RV in their driveway and plugged into the garage. Now the neighbors have something to talk about! Robin and Randy have two adorable little Yorkie dogs, Dixie and Dooley. They are such sweet little babies. Dooley is a tiny little...

Aug 21, 2016 - And Toto, Too!

After the tire blowout, my top goal was to relax and unwind. Here at Devil’s Den State Park, that’s pretty easy. It’s snuggled in the middle of the Ozarks, the only mountain range between the Rockies in the west and the Appalachians in the east. The park was jam-packed with families: kids on bicycles, kids on skate boards, everyone walking their dogs. I’ve become accustomed to loud campfire chats on a Saturday night. I turned on the fan beside my bed, which effectively drowned out most of the sound. Sunday morning was the same. People...

Aug 17, 2016 - West Memphis, AR

Today we went from Sallisaw, OK to West Memphis, AR. There were a lot of semi's on I-40 today. They must have drove up from I-10 due to the flooding in Louisiana. The semi's out numbered the cars, 2 to 1. There was on and off rain, overcast conditions and lots of traffic. We stopped at Tom Saywer campground so we could experience the Mississippi one more time. Tomorrow we head to Birmingham, AL.

Aug 14, 2016 - Heading Back South

From Tom Sawyer’s RV Park – West Memphis, TN In the last week we have put 747 miles between us and Holmes County on our slow trek home. Made stops in Lebanon, OH, Cave City, KY & Parkers Crossroads, TN. First stop was just a one nighter then Cave City was for 2 nights. As it turned out glad we had planned on 2 because Rudy’s iPhone “bit the dust” Monday evening shortly after arriving. Located an AT&T store in Bowling Green and got a replacement. Also visited Target and WallyMart for some needed “stock” replenishing. Wednesday we moved into...

Aug 7, 2016 - Hot Springs

We decided to move toward Hot Springs a day early. It was an easy drive for Anne who was the driver in command for the whole day. We are camped in a very nice RV resort on the shores of Lake Catherine. We explored the area and decided Lake Catherine State Park is on our list of places to visit. We are reminiscing about our trip. Over 90 days on the road; over 6000 miles on the RV, and over 5000 miles on the Honda just exploring and seeing the sights. Memories from the trip. A lot of beautiful places. A lot of interesting people. And, new...