old blogs

Last Saturday I visited the Farmers Market in Fayetteville, AR. I was shocked to see how many people were shopping, listening to the various musicians performing on the corners of the square, and the number of vendors displaying their wares. The last time I strolled through the market was in May of 2004. The buzz was just starting to form and small town farmer's markets were beginning to form around Arkansas. In 2004, I bought a few herb plants and fresh cut flowers as I visited with Allyson Twiggs with the Fayetteville CVB. As we toured the square she shared her hopes that the market would take off and become a draw for visitors and citizens of Northwest Arkansas.

I moved away from Arkansas in the Winter of 2005 and until last week, I have not been able to return to the market. On my way home from the Arkansas Press Association super convention, I took a slight detour and decided to see if the market was still around in hopes of purchasing herb plants for my new garden. To my surprise, the market wasn't only still around but was full of people. As I shopped, I couldn't help but overhear people's discussions. One lady was explaining on her cell phone that they would be a little late getting home. "You see, she said, we found this great farmers market in this town in Arkansas."

I dropped some serious coin in Fayetteville that day and as I drove out of town, I called my old friend Allyson to tell her how excited I was at how successful the market was.

Arkansas is full of small farmers markets just like the one in Fayetteville. Tomorrow, I'll be visiting the new market in Bryant.

Friday, June 12, 2009

I remember the months before my own wedding. It seemed like an endless task of appointments, showers, photography sessions, and dress fittings. What I wouldn’t have given for a day or two to explore, think, and do something just for myself! When planning a wedding, finding these opportunities are rare; but if you have chosen to travel to Low’s Bridal in Brinkley, I invite you to seize the opportunity to find more than that perfect dress in Arkansas. I took a trip through the lower delta region of Arkansas with Brinkley as my starting point. I wanted to find unique gifts, and explore great places to visit with my friends and family. I needed a few tools for my trip: my camera and a Delta Byways brochure. The brochure had a great map in the middle section and included great information on some of the towns and communities near Brinkley. With tools in hand and a full tank of gas, I set out on my treasure hunt through the delta.

The Delta region of Arkansas has an unusual allure to it. From first glance, it is a flat, undeveloped land of almost ghost town communities. It isn’t until you really take time to explore this area that you realize what a true treasure it is. I heard about this great restaurant in Humnoke, AR called Papa Joes and set out to find it. I left Brinkley taking Hwy 79 through Clarendon, passing Stuttgart and made a small jag over to Humnoke. Papa Joes is a family owned restaurant with fresh wood siding and a front porch that lures patrons in with its hometown feel. I was immediately greeted by a bright smile and seated promptly. The cheese dip, burgers and onion rings paired with a large sweet tea were fantastic, but the homemade desserts were out of this world! The chocolate fried pies and the coconut cream pie were definitely worth the calories. As I finished off the pies, I started to plan my short trip. Looking at the map, I decided to head to Lake Chicot and check out the fishing opportunities. I left Papa Joes and headed towards Stuttgart passing large farms and small communities.
The Arkansas delta is not only rich in soil but rich in heritage, history, and hospitality. Along my trip, I found several interesting stories. For example, the area of Slovak located in between Humnoke and Stuttgart sits a large, original Sears and Roebuck farmhouse. Like many of the large farmhouses in this area, the supplies were shipped from Pine Bluff, AR, across the Arkansas River, loaded on wagons, and driven by horse to the building site. In the late 1800s and early 1900s there were very few inns for travelers. As a result, this home became overnight lodging for four governors on their way to a meeting. Unfortunately, the house is not open to tours but I enjoyed learning about its history.

Approaching Stuttgart, I found an amazing hunting supply and outfitting store, named Mack’s. The giant duck in front of the store made this location a definite must stop. Almost anything an outdoors sports enthusiast could want -clothes, hunting supplies, furniture, duck calls, boats, and much more- could be found at this store. I couldn’t resist and purchased a pair of great waterproof boots for my fishing trip. After leaving Mack’s, I stopped at AgPro Companies.
Intrigued by the enormous tractors and combines, I stopped to snap a few photos but was drawn into the main building of the dealership by the smell of popcorn. I was surprised to see all of the great gift ideas in the show room. I purchased a couple of children’s books, a miniature tractor, and a hat to protect me from the sun during my fishing trip. Purchases in hand, I set off for Crocketts Bluff. I didn’t know what I would find, but the name sounded interesting so I thought I’d add it to my trip. I took a picture of a historical marker explaining how the town received its name and that Henry Prange was the first to plant rice in the county.

I took 65 towards DeWitt with an intention of making a quick trip over to Lake Chicot. However, when I reached Hwy 1, otherwise known as The Great River Road, I saw an arrow pointing to St. Charles and an arrow pointing to DeWitt. I had a decision to make. St. Charles it was. I stopped at the St. Charles Museum and learned about the rich history of the town and its importance to the Civil War. I took a few pictures of the monument in front of the museum and headed off to the welcome center located at the National Wildlife Refuge. I noticed several duck hunting lodges and camps along my drive. After a stop for gas and a cold cherry Dr Pepper at the Community Store, I traveled the short distance to the Wildlife Refuge. Once there, I walked along a trail to try to catch a few shots of the local wildlife. Afterwards, I headed toward the exhibits in the welcome center. I was drawn to the night exhibit. A dark space came to life after I entered the room. First stars materialized in the ceiling. Next, a full moon appeared as the night sounds of area wildlife surrounded me. It was all so realistic that I imagined myself lying outside on a cool evening looking at the stars and listening to the sound of the great outdoors. Reluctantly, I decided that I better hit the road if I were going to make it to Lake Village by the end of the day. Back on the Great River Road, I headed towards DeWitt.
I quickly found great shopping opportunities in downtown DeWitt. Located on the town square was the Sisters’ Treasures Florist. There I found great bridal gift ideas. Everything from cozies, stationery, picture frames, candles, gourmet coffee, and stuffed animals were to be had! Also located on the square I found a great fifties-style diner, Lizzie’s. Sadly, I wasn’t able to stop in and try their menu because they didn’t open until 5 P.M. I made a note to make sure and visit DeWitt again to shop and try out Lizzie’s. I again hit the road.

Soybeans, rice and wheat had become my friends, and of course, you can’t forget the green tractors working the dirt in the barren fields; or, blocking me from driving very fast along the highway. Thankfully the courteous farmers moved over, whenever possible, and let me pass as they waved or tipped their hats.

In the distance I could see a large structure. It appeared to be protruding out of the landscape, peaking through the trees and touching the sky. As I approached, I realized that it was part of the road and I became apprehensive. It finally occurred to me that it was a bridge…a large bridge. The relief quickly melted away and was replaced with excitement and anticipation. Now I had to go over that big bridge! It wasn’t as scary as I thought. The view was beautiful. Once I crossed the bridge, I was in the town of Pendleton. Riceland has a facility there and I could see rice being loaded onto barges. Small, quaint houses were dotted along the shoreline of the river. I thought, “wow”; where else would I have seen something like this just appear out of what seemed like an endless landscape of farms.

In Dumas, I found Miller’s Mud Mill Pottery. I arrived as they were wrapping up projects for the day. The artists were adding the finishing touches on a series of unique wine toppers. I toured the studio and purchased a serving plate with a unique cross design. I asked if they ever took special orders for gifts. They assured me that they do take special orders for people all over the country. In fact, they couldn’t name a state that they haven’t shipped to—even Hawaii! They have even shipped pottery to Japan. Leaving the studio, I was overwhelmed by the wonderful smell of BBQ coming from Vickie’s BBQ and Tunes but I saved my appetite for the Lakeshore Café in Lake Village.

Along the drive to Lake Chicot State Park, beautiful houses face the water. I noticed several people fishing and suddenly realized that I didn’t have a fishing pole, bait, or tackle. The boots and hat were great, but I doubted they were going to help me catch a fish! I drove on to the park and stopped to talk to the park staff. They assured me that I could rent or purchase everything I needed at the park store and it wasn’t going to cost me very much. It was getting late in the evening so I decided to spend the night in one of the cabins located in the park. Luckily, they had a cabin available at a very reasonable price. I dropped my bag in the room and set out for the Lakeshore Café. I dinned on fried catfish, fried corn nuggets, okra, and sweet tea and topped it off with southern bread pudding…delicious, and very reasonable!

The next morning I awoke bright and early hoping to catch a fish I could write home about. A guide took me out to what he called, “a secret bass hole” in a shallow part of the lake. Unfortunately, I wasn’t having much luck with the fish so I put the pole down and began catching area wildlife with my camera. Everything was so beautiful. I took several pictures of beavers, Great Egrets, a large woodpecker, a few bullfrogs and a big water snake! I made one more attempt to catch a fish and to my surprise, I caught a black crappie! Mission complete, I returned to the open road.

Park personnel had told me about an impressive museum I had to check out before I left the delta. It is named the Lakeport Plantation. I drove out of the park on a different road that took me through downtown Lake Village. The old buildings were really unique and the lake view was beautiful. As I approached the plantation, I could see the house across the cotton fields. I imagined what this might have looked like back in the years before the Civil War. It must have been a truly magnificent estate!

The paved road turned into gravel and winded around the field to the museum office. I entered the office and paid $5 for the tour and browsed through the restoration exhibits while I waited for the tour to begin. I couldn’t believe the intact floor cloth that had once been in the plantation. Arkansas State University really went to great lengths to restore and save the home. The tour began in the office where the guide explained the various stages of the restoration process. Next, we walked over to the home. As I entered the large front door, I was struck by a sense of awe. What an amazing showplace this must have been in the days of Scarlett O’Hara! My footsteps echoed as I walked from room to room across restored wooded floors. We ascended the massive wooden staircase that led to a gathering room. From there, I could see into four large bedrooms where some of the original furniture sat. Returning downstairs, we went around the back porch to the outside kitchen, the plantation office, and the commissary. The original iron oven that was brought in from Kentucky still rests along the back wall. I imagined having to cook on such an oven as my eyes wondered over to the large wooden chopping block in the middle of the room. I could almost smell fresh bread, apple pie, and fried chicken as I left the kitchen. Next door to the kitchen was the old commissary. There is still writing on the walls made by the storekeeper with prices and descriptions of wares. This really brought home the fact that this was a living, operating plantation business in the 1800s. Leaving to head back to the front of the house, I noticed a little crypt off in the distance. This is the resting place of one of the Johnson children that died after the Civil War. It reminded me that this wasn’t only a plantation business, but a home. Still in amazement over this museum, I said goodbye to my tour guide and headed for town.

A friend had mentioned that a great home décor store was located in Lake Village. It is called Paul Michaels. All I can say is “WOW!” What a store. I left with two accent lamps I found at a great price. Another Lake Village treasure that can’t be overlooked is Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales. This little restaurant has received national media attention in recent years. Tourists and tamale connoisseurs travel from all over the country to try Rhoda’s fare. Rhoda’s didn’t disappoint, they were probably the best tamales I’ve ever had. Deciding that it was time to return from my adventure, I set my sights towards home.

We have become a society of hurriedness. We speed along the road trying to get from one place to another. The days of the Sunday drive are long gone. Gas prices, busy lives, and careers have changed the way Americans travel. Many brides visit the delta region of Arkansas in search of the perfect wedding dress but if they would take just a little bit of time, they can find so much more..

My first Geocaching experience

Went on my first Geocaching trip last week. Geocaching is a relatively new "game" that involves the use of a GPS to find hidden "treasure". Sometimes it is just a little key magnet that holds a tiny piece of paper where you record your find. Other times, it is a plastic container filled with items left by others. Kim Williams, a travel writer with the Arkansas Department of Tourism is an avid geocacher; in fact, she is responsible for planing most of the caches found along stretches of the Great River Road in Arkansas. She was determined to teach me how to geocache.

We set out to Village Creek State Park located on Crowley's Ridge just outside of Wynne, AR. There isn't much, if any, Internet and phone signal in the park so geocaching was a bit tricky. I found out that you have to download the coordinates (or write them down) for the caches you are planning on finding before you go into an area with no Internet signal. The caches we were in search of had hints which really helped. We entered in the coordinated to the GPS, selected "off-road", and away I went.

The first cache was easy to find and was a level one which means it was handicap accessible. The case on the cache was clamped tight and I wasn't able to write anything on the log. It was OK, though, because I know I found it. The second cache was a little more difficult. There was a lot of tree cover, and, again, not a great signal. I found it, but the GPS kept telling me it was 25 feet away.

If you haven't geocached, you really need to try it. Caches are planted all over the world; however I'd like to invite you to Arkansas. Arkansas has plenty of caches to keep you busy for a long time! I have a lot more to find and I hope to get my kids involved in the hunt. It is a great way to spend time together and introduces you to areas that you might otherwise not visit.