Ozark Mountain Region, Lakes Rivers, Fun

Great work by the National Forest Service

omr_admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:24:27 -0600

Hats off to the folks at the NFS for clearing 50 miles of mountain bike trail here in the Ozarks after a CRAZY ice storm and then a very wet summer. As a cyclist, I get the chance to ride the Sylamo mtb system fairly often. The International Mountain Bike Association has named the trails as one of 48 ' epic ' rides in the world.

However, after trying to ride it a few times this summer, and putting a couple days of work in on the trail myself, I was not sure that our beloved Syllamo would be back to it's previous condition ever. Fortunately, turns out I was very wrong. The trails are in excellent shape with all tread repaired, trees cleared, and most brush is trimmed back.

Some of this video, which is of the top portion of Jack's Branch - the Yellow trail, shows a little of the tree work done. Our ice storm in January of 09 was so severe that not only did branches and tree tops fall across the trail, but many trees simply were uprooted when falling over. The root wads would rip big holes in the trail. Some of the holes were nearly as tall as people. All of this damage is repaired and we are back to normal.

Forest Service personnel: We are very pleased with the attention to our mountain bike trail... however, I still have a bone to pick with you over some of the scheduled trail closures for Jeeps... more on this later.

Here's a link to get a map of the Sylamo bicycle trails

Great Places for Great Times

omr_admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:11:15 -0600

Cabin Fever as defined in Wikipedia - Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in, in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period (as in a simple country vacation cottage during a long rain or snow). Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, forgetfulness, laughter, and excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the (less miserable) rain, snow or dark.

I especially like the last line about an urge to go outside. If I use only this part of the definition, then I have cabin fever most all the time of my life. But to be fair to cabins everywhere, I live in the Ozarks. The Ozarks just really make people want to be outside and doing things.

I can say that I have been on water skis in Norfork Lake in almost every month - including January. I have been on the Buffalo River during every calendar month. I have hiked in snow, hiked in poisen ivy. Fishing for White River trout never gets slow because of cold weather. They love it.

Just a few days ago, here in mid February, my buddy and I were making our way around the Bull Shoals State Park mountain bike trail in the snow. Our feet were caked with so much snow and ice that they were frozen.

Really, the Ozark Mountain outdoors is a great place to be even when the weather has been miserably cold this year - and when you are frozen and tired, that great little secluded rental cabin will feel GREAT.

Ski Resort in the Ozarks ?

omr_admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:48:25 -0600

Well, not hardly. Although I do get quite a few phone calls each year from folks wondering if snow skiing is available here in Arkansas Ozark Mountains. We just don't get that much snow on a yearly basis. Back in the early 70's an investment group bought some snow making equipment and gave the business a try on a pseudo slope in Marble Falls near Jasper. Unfortunately for them, their first two years of business were two of the warmest Winters that we had in several decades. The gas prices of 1973 also went through the roof, and the business venture died.

The reason for my idea to post this is to let everyone know that we have had record snow falls here in north AR. At least records since we started keeping track 100 years or so ago. Here is a link to the story featuring our very own town of Gilbert (population around 35 people)which is located on the banks of the Buffalo National River.

Picture here is the Gilbert General Store as it appears today - Built in 1901

Snow record set in January at Gilbert on the Buffalo River in Arkansas Ozarks

Even though you may not be hitting the slopes here in our little hills, we do hope that you will keep in mind the water skiing we have on Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes - a little later in the year.

Hikers can read even more about Buffalo River

omr_admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:58:24 -0600

I saw this article about hiking on upper Buffalo River in Scouting Magazine. Hemmed in Hollow and Ponca are highlighted. CLICK over to it HERE

VFR - Another TLA (Three Letter Acronym)

omr_admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:29:51 -0600

But unlike most 3 letter acronyms, we really like those people that are Visiting Friends & Relatives. North Arkansas, like many great places to visit, is also a great place to retire. So, especially around the holiday time of year, we get to see a lot of people Visiting their Friends and Relatives.

Often, VFRs end up fishing on the White or North Fork Rivers for trout during the holdays. But, even if they are not brave enough to do this in the cold, they nearly always come back in a warmer season to either canoe on the Buffalo River, take a houseboat on Norfork or Bull Shoals, or just hike through some of the Ozarks. Those of us in the tourism industry consider VFRs as scouting trips for things to do later.

For those that may be a VFR, take a trip outside the house while you are here. Enjoy a driving tour and scout your next vacation here in the Arkansas Ozark Mountains

Black Friday = Ozark Jeepin' Friday

omr_admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:27:23 -0600

My wife and I have spent many "Black Fridays" out in the woods of the Ozarks in our Jeep(s). This year the only exception was that we were alone. When we Jeep alone, we tend to get very conservative in what we try with our machine. Can't imagine how expensive and difficult it would be to get a tow the day after Thanksgiving in the middle of nowhere.

What was the results of us staying near the roads more travelled? Pretty darned good !

This is not to say that your average sedan could make it over the roads we traversed, but we certainly did not strain the 4WD capabilities of our well equipped TJ. The view below is our jeep parked above a remote waterfall that any stock 4wd vehicle could drive to.

This final photo is great. It is Twin Falls on Richland Creek. Any car can be driven to this very same spot with no problem - although, like most everything else, it was a lot more fun in a Jeep !

We had a great time on Black Friday. We spent 9 hours and a tank of gas in our Jeep. We ate lunch in the middle of nowhere and saw very few other people - only saw some deer hunters. A great day 4-Wheeling in the Arkansas Ozark Mountains.

Earlier Ozark Tourism Days

omr_admin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:11:55 -0600

Glad to know Bill Jennings as a friend for the past 18 years or so. Deb Peterson wrote this article appearing in Mountain Home's newspaper - The Baxter Bulletin. I hope that everyone involved in promoting travel to north central Arkansas now, can get a glimpse of what it was like then.

Here's the Link

Temporary Cave Closure(s) to help Bats

omr_admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:22:40 -0600

From the office of the Buffalo National River - January 23, 2009

To help stop the spread of the Geomyces sp. fungus suspected to be the
causative agent of White Nose Syndrome which is fatal to bats, all Buffalo
National River caves are closed to recreational caving until further notice
with the exception of the following:

The caves in Lost Valley from Eden Falls Cave to the Lost Valley
     Campground parking area are open to unrestricted recreational caving.
     This list of open caves consists of Eden Falls Cave, Lost Valley
     Natural Bridge, Cob Cave, and Natural Bridge Cave.

The caves along the trail system at Buffalo Point are open to
     unrestricted recreational caving except for Bat Cave which is closed.
     This list of open caves consists of the Indian Rockhouse Cave, Indian
     Rockhouse Sink, Panther Cave, Twenty-Nine and a Half Cave, Forest
     Trail Pit, Overlook(ed) Cave, Bullet Cave, and Sinkhole Icebox.

Back O’ Beyond Cave and Silver Hill Cave are open only for NPS guided
     interpretive tours.

All cave research in the park requires a permit. This permit will
stipulate protocols to prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome to or
between park caves. Researchers must carry a copy of the permit with them
while in the cave(s) and travelling through the park to and from the
cave(s).

According to park Geologist Chuck Bitting, Buffalo National River is one of
the most cave-rich units of the National Park System with over 360
documented caves. The caves of Buffalo National River contain three
species of bat on the Federal Endangered Species List, as well as four bat
species which are not listed. In addition to the bat species, the caves
are home to a complex ecosystem containing wood rats, salamanders, frogs,
insects, spiders, and other arthropods. Bat guano is often considered the
base of the food chain for these ecosystems, and the loss of bats to White
Nose Syndrome could cause the extinction of several species only found in
the Buffalo River area.

If you have further questions, you may contact:
BUFF_Superintendent [at] nps [dot] gov or call 870-365-2700

Ozark Pie Auctions

omr_admin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:53:58 -0600

It came to my attention the other day that many people have never attended a pie acution, or even know what a pie supper and auction is. In the rural Ozarks, the pie supper has been a staple of fund raising for as long as settlers have inhabited the woods.

Just last night, I was in the community of Oxley (near Leslie, AR) at the volunteer fire department. A local family had come across a hardship due to illness and were in need of some money. The people of the area baked pies, cakes, cookies, and even some homemade jams and crafts. In the very dim lit room, about 40 of us gathered with a local auctioneer and proceeded to bid on and buy back these donations. Much good natured ribbing and joking went on for the two hours it took to raise nearly $3000 for the folks in need.

I have attended many of these auctions. The earliest I remember was in the early 70's when we were raising money at the Bruno school. I forget the exact need, but I believe it had to do with the baseball team.

The people of the Ozarks are fine independent people. When we see a person that has been a good neighbor in need, we are quick to help. This tradition goes back to when there was no other help here in north central Arkansas. I am proud to be part of such a culture. Please don't bid up the pecan pie too high - that's the one I plan to buy.

The 4th Season

omr_admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:48:31 -0600

Here in the Ozarks, we brag about having all 4 seasons - Spring, Summer, Fall, and .... and ..... WINTER. During the first three seasons, it is easy and fun to say that we have all 4 seasons - but during the actual winter season, it is not so fun for me.

Yesterday marked the first day that I would consider cold/miserable. For the folks that live up north, yesterday was a typical fall season day for them. But for me, it marked the beginning of that cold weather that is to begin soon. This morning we are in the mid 30's with some light rain and snow flurries in the forecast. I guess this is why I spent several weekends cutting wood for the fireplace.

"WHERE'S THE MATCHES HONEY?"

There - that's not so bad. Fireplace crackling. Warm inside, cold outside. Time to enjoy another beautiful Ozark Mountain Winter .... It just takes me a little while to get past that first cold snap and enjoy.