10/14/2011 Lake DeQueen, Arkansas

Coming down out of Arkansas, we wandered thru Oklahoma for a bit, and crossed some pretty steep hills. Then we spent the night at a Corps of Engineers campsite on Lake DeQueen.










Climbing up & over Kiamichi Mountain in Oklahoma; the sunset on Lake DeQueen; and the sunrise the next morning.

10/13/2011 CCC Trail, Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

This afternoon we walked the CCC interpretive trail. This state park, like many others, was constructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The trail goes around CCC Camp #2 which was in existence from 1934-1942.










The picnic shelter at the Yellow Rock trail-head; and a statue dedicated to the CCC.










The information sign and the foundation of the mess hall; the rock dam on Lee Creek.










Two of the CCC-constructed cabins; and some residents of the campsite for the horsey set.

10/13/2011 Yellow Rock Trail, Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

This morning we hiked the Yellow Rock trail, which leads to a high bluff that is named for the yellow iron oxide stain on the bluff face. The bare surfaces on top contain trace fossils called zoophycos. They are the feeding patterns of small prehistoric animals that lived when the rock was mud at the bottom of the sea. They are about as big around as a baseball.










Starting our hike; checking a hollow tree to see if anyone is home; and the two of us sitting in front of a massive rock fall.










On top of the Yellow Rock; fossils.

10/12/2011 Devil's Den Trail, Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

Wednesday afternoon the predicted rain had not arrived, so we took off on the premier hiking trail of this park: Devil's Den Trail. It has lots of interesting features, including the Devil's Den theater, the Devil's Den cave (closed in an effort to avoid white-nose disease in bats), crevices, the Devil's Icebox, twin falls, and cold springs. Here are pictures of just a few of them.










Narrow entrance to Devil's Den cave; bars keeping it closed to people; and interesting erosion of limestone.










In front of the Devil's Icebox; peering into the gaping hold in the earth; and peering underneath a gigantic boulder.










Lee Creek; Limestone bluff with shallow caves that show signs of habitation and use by early Indians; and a bench made for a giant who might be named Chris.

10/12/2011 Scenic drive, Hwy. 71, Arkansas

Since rain is predicted today, we opted for a scenic drive down Ark. Hwy. 71 from West Fork to Chester. Beautiful scenes! Interesting places! New friends!










West Fork of the White River; lovely view from Artistic Point; me and my new friend Corky, in the gift shop at Artistic Point.










Downtown Chester, Arkansas (pop. 99), where we had delicious homemade burgers and a taste of the small town life; typical old barns & sheds; and one of the switchbacks on the main road into Devil's Den State Park. (campers over 16 ft. in length have to use a different road in.....)

10/11/2011 Lee Creek, Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

The first thing we did when we arrived at this beautiful state park was take a quick walk down to the creek, even though it was almost dusk. We found this suspension bridge that had been severely damaged by flooding back in April of this year. The creek must have been a roaring river to do this kind of damage!

10/10/2011 Henning Scenic overlook & tower

Monday afternoon we wandered in to the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, where there is a scenic overlook, plus a paved trail up to an observation tower on top of what's called Dewey Bald. Nice way to spend the afternoon!










My mountain man! The observation tower we climbed. The Shepherd of the Hills viewing tower which we visited last Friday.










Fall wildflower; the lovely paved trail; and in the last picture, you can just see the top of the observation tower peeking up above the trees.

10/10/2011 Roy Rogers Jr. show

Monday morning we went to the Roy Rogers Jr. show, with free tickets kindly donated to us by our friends Ann & Doug. So glad we went, it was a wonderful show. Small crowd, and the band came out & visited during the break & after the show. The star, of course, was Roy Rogers Jr. (Dusty) and also his son, Dustin. They sang all kinds of wonderful old songs, including the usual cowboy songs. I never knew it, but Roy Rogers Sr. was one of the original founders of the Sons of the Pioneers western group, which has endured, with members coming and going, since 1933. The pictures say it all.










Roy Jr.; his son Dustin; and Dustin with a backdrop of his grandfather, Roy Rogers.










Roy Jr. and Dustin; Roy Jr. with a background of the original Sons of the Pioneers; and Bubba with his new friends.