{Dates of Visit: Apr 9-14, 2014}
We had been advised by a lot of people, including Jason Snow (one half of the Snowmads) who used to live in the area, that North Western Arkansas was a must-see. We made it as far as Fort Smith (with a side trip to Fayetteville for a concert) and could see why. The area is beautiful…full of trees and mountains and lakes and wildlife…nothing like I was expecting when I think of a Mid-Western state.
Fort Smith, believe it or not, is actually a Wild West town and was voted the #1 Top True West Town in 2013 by True West Magazine. It was the location for some very well-known western books and films including Lonesome Dove, True Grit and Hang ‘Em High. There’s even a True Grit tour that stops at places like Hanging Judge Parker’s Courthouse and the gallows at the Fort Smith National Historic Site.
 |
| The old jail cells were pretty high tech for their time…three stories tall and housed inside the courthouse. |
 |
| If you thought Judge Parker was harsh you should meet Judge Bonelli! |
 |
| The gallows…the park staff will hang the appropriate number of nooses on the anniversary of hangings. The day we visited no one had been hanged. |
The Visitors Center, aka Miss Laura’s Social Club, is located in what was once a bordello (the only brothel on the National Register of Historic Places) and should be the first place you stop at when you come to this history filled town. The staff is {strangely} very knowledgeable about the goings-on inside this house of ill-repute and will happily take you on a tour (including the upstairs, what???) for a small “donation”…heehee. You can also find a plethora of information on what-to-do in the area.
 |
| The “racy” stained glass window in the Brothel/Visitors Center. |
We camped at Springhill Corp of Engineers campground which is technically in Barling, Arkansas. They offer 50 amp (with water) sites for $20 per night ($9 for Senior Park pass holders). Some sites have river views and most are fairly spacious (aside from the tree that wouldn’t allow our awning to extend fully). One word of warning for most of Arkansas…TICKS. Last spring there was practically an infestation and we pretty much found ticks on our pants almost every time we hiked or biked…check yourself, each other and your pets daily.
 |
| Large site but a close tree,… |
The campground offers fishing, swimming (lake), boating and 10 miles of mountain biking trails which we were more than happy to check out…
 |
| The bridge was little too narrow and long to attempt on the bikes. |
 |
| The entrance to the Janet Huckabee Nature Center. This is the perfect place to bring your kids (of all ages). |
 |
| If you close one eye and squint out of the other you can see Bullwinkle, right? |
 |
| Small stage, small venue…the best way to see live music. George’s Majestic Lounge. |
2 Comments
Such a good point about how preconceived notions can get in the way! Like the pic of Judge Bonelli 🙂
Cheers – Ellen
We've learned to try to keep an open mind now.. Conversely, places we thought would be amazing have fallen short of expectation but we've learned from that as well…mostly to find the silver lining and look for the small positives (even if it means more time in the RV reading or purging or cleaning). Haha.