Arkansas 2010

Just back from a week at Lake Ouachita State Park. We took the camper and camped there for eight nights. The weather was really hot but didn't stop us from doing much of what we wanted to do.

We drove down on the Saturday and then took it easy on the Sunday just doing a small hike and getting some food in for the week. No beer because you can't buy beer in Arkansas on a Sunday, which didn't make us too happy.

On Monday we went to Little Rock and visited the Clinton presidential museum, which was pretty interesting.

Tuesday we went to Hot Springs National Park where we did a small hike and a scenic drive. The park wasn't quite what we expected with a lot of built up areas but was nice anyway. The park was built up around natural hot springs that were believed to have healing powers.

On Wednesday we did Caddo Bend trail, a 4.5 mile trail in the park then relaxed until we went to Three Sisters Springs where a park ranger was doing an information session.

On Thursday we visited Petit-Jean state park for the day. It was a really scenic drive there and the park had some nice trails and a lodge that we had lunch at. Euan was getting lots of attention because he is so cute. We had wanted to stay the week here but couldn't get a reservation, turns out they don't take them for Saturday arrivals. Well know better next time. On the Thursday evening we went on a boat tour from the state park. The trip was for seeing purple martins and other birds but I went just for the views, which were good with the sun setting.

On Friday we went on a duck boat tour. This is the stuff of James Bond. The boat started on land and did some of the tour round Hot Springs then went into Lake Catherine for the second part of the tour before finishing off back on land again. Euan stayed awake for the whole tour and seemed to enjoy it.

Our last day on Saturday we went for a 4.5 mile hike in the Ouachita National forest. It was a nice trail but a little overgrown and was hard work with Euan on my back.

Sunday was my birthday and we spent most of it driving home before heading out for a birthday dinner.