We are ready to slow down and relax for a change. Erica and Damon are ready to try their Airstream on a road trip. So we decided on Arkansas. We had planned on leaving Tuesday, but the forecast was 100% chance of rain, so we delayed leaving for a day. We drove to Beaver's bend state park. With the national government on shutdown, we are limited to state parks and private camps. Apparently everyone else is too, because the park was almost full. The local kids are on fall break also. It is a beautiful area, but too crowded to suit us. It drizzled all evening, but the next morning was beautiful and sunny. We hiked along the river Thurdsay morning, and decided to head to Hot Springs. The government shutdown finally ended, and the national park was open again. 
After pulling the Airstreams on the scenic tour through downtown Hot Springs, we made it to the campground. There was some confusion, because of few signs, and no one to ask, we finally decided on sites 21 and 23. The electronic kiosk in the headquarters took cash only, and returned change in the form of dollar coins. Erica laughed when I jumped up and down and said "I won" when the coins came out! The temperatures dropped into the forties at night, and in the 70's in the day. I hiked up the trail to the top of the mountain before we went into town. It is about 1 mile to the top, and perfect weather for hiking. We drove to the bathhouse row, and walked around town for a couple of hours. 
Most of the time we were sightseeing and people watching. Back at camp, we ate supper and decided we needed exercise, so Erica suggested jogging on the trail I went on this morning. We jogged about half the way up, since it is a fairly steep trail. It was much easier jogging downhill, and felt good when we got done. We played cards in our camper until bedtime.
Saturday October 19
Erica had the great idea of jogging again this morning. At least it was a great idea until we actually started. Then it became what were we thinking kind of idea. But it is done, and once again it feels so good to stop. We drove to town again, so Damon could exchange the pants he bought yesterday. They were too big. I guess the jogging is working. We went to a few junk and antique stores, but just looked. Erica wanted taffy after seeing some at the fudge factory yesterday. Shelly said she could get it cheaper at the dollar store, so we went looking for a dollar store. Funny how they are everywhere, until you need one. We finally found the dollar stores, but no taffy. By this time, Erica decided we needed to go back to the fudge factory to get the taffy. So, back to town, which was really crowded on a Saturday. We dropped Erica off near the store, and we parked about a half a mile away. But she got the taffy. I'm not sure what lesson we learned today. Stop being cheap? Probably not going to happen. Erica is hardheaded? Yup. She must get that from Shelly.
Sunday, October20 We enjoyed a relaxing morning, before packing up and heading north. We planned to stop at Sylvia lake, before going to Petit Jean. It looked like a neat national forest campground, but it was closed when we got there. Apparently the shutdown has not completely ended. We drove to Petit Jean state park and arrived about 2 in the afternoon. Our spirits sank when the receptionist said they were full, and the guy in front of us just got the last campsite available. Now what? Apparently ask again, because now, if we don't need sewer hookups, there are a couple of sites available. She started marking the sites available for 3 nights, and showed about 15 sites. Cool. We found two sites in the pines, that are fairly secluded, and without sewer hookups, they are only $21 per night. It keeps getting better. We thought it was funny that there were no sites available, and after the 3 o'clock checkout time, there were only about 5 sites taken. After setting up camp, and eating bratwurst, we hiked the trail to the waterfall. Shelly's leg had been hurting, so we took our time on the trail. We got back to Mather lodge just about sunset, and took pictures.
Neat pool by the falls
On the trail
Erica and Damon on the footbridge
Neat pool by the fallsThere was not much water in the waterfall
Sunset at Mather lodge
The view framed by the log columns
A close up of us. Maybe too close up of me.
Erica and Damon
Back at camp, we built a fire, and Erica decided a margarita would be good. The first two were great, and the third was apparently stronger than the others. Maybe it was because I complained I couldn't taste the tequila. I don't remember the s'mores, but apparently I was entertaining.
Monday, October 21
Ouch! Ugh! Ow! Mmmmgh! What happened? My head hurts. What is wrong with me? Being funny is not easy. I finally felt good enough to get out of bed after noon, and we walked the trail to rock house cave. It is a beautiful hike through the canyon, and probably just over a mile to the cave. There are several pictographs on the ceiling of the cave, and we noticed they show up better in pictures. The clouds had rolled in, and started raining after we got back to camp.
Tuesday, October 22
I took some neat pictures of the sun's rays highlighting the morning mist.This is just down from our campsite.
The guy from nucold called and said our refrigerator cooling unit was ready. I guess I'll back up a bit. When we got back from buying a wrecked Airstream in St. Louis, we found out the refrigerator in the 2006 Airstream did not work. I checked online, and found a repair place in Morrilton, Ar. I knew we were going to Petit Jean State park, so I took the cooling unit with us. I called nucold yesterday, and he said he could come get the unit, repair it, and bring it back to us. He picked it up yesterday afternoon, and brought it back this morning. Wow, what service! I hope it works! We went to several antique stores, ate pizza, and washed clothes. Came back to camp, sat by the fire, and enjoyed the great weather.
Wednesday, October 23
We drove to bear cave and hiked in and on the rocks. I even managed not to kill myself. It is like a big kid's jungle gym, with climbing rocks everywhere. 
On the way back to camp, we stopped at the cedar falls overlook, and walked down to the cliff. The rock formations are worth the short hike. I'm still puzzled how the rocks formed like they did. We loaded up, and headed to Blanchard springs caverns. It is a beautiful drive with lots of twists and turns, and ups and downs. The trees are starting to turn colors, and will be really beautiful next week. We were not sure if the campground was open or not, but knew we could stay at Gunner pool like Shelly and I did last year. It is about 5 miles from the caverns, and is a pretty campground, but the gravel road is long and steep. We were in luck, and the camp we wanted was open. There were only 4 other campers in the park when we showed up at 4:30, but several others showed up later. The camp is on Sylamore creek, and has trees everywhere. 
The office is decorated for fall
The old rock bridge
The overlook at cedar falls
Sylamore creek
That is good for scenery and privacy, but not good for the solar chargers. Erica and Damon said I tricked them into boondocking, but I thought I told them there was no electricity. They both agreed the quiet will be worth it. The price is great also, at $10 per night. We sat by the campfire, and talked until about 9. The bathhouse has showers and flush toilets. Not exactly roughing it. Thursday, October 24
I hiked up the trail by the creek and took several pictures, before building a campfire. We had a lazy morning, and went to the caverns about 1:30. The next tour was in 1 hour, so we drove to Gunner pool campground. It is nice, but the campground we are in now is better. We walked down to the swimming hole on the creek, and took pictures. The caverns are beautiful, and it is the first cavern that Damon has been in. The drip stone tour is only an hour long tour, but the cathedral room is amazing. They also offer the wild cave tour for $75, which allows you to go into the undeveloped part of the cave. I did that last spring, and was a neat experience, especially for someone who likes climbing on rocks. We drove into Mountain View and did some shopping. Back at camp, Shelly and Erica made supper while Damon and I gathered firewood. The fire felt great, and will be almost a necessity in the morning. It is supposed to be 30 degrees. Brr.
Friday, October 25
Another relaxing morning. Erica, Damon, and I hiked down Sylamore creek, to give the dogs and us some exercise. Blitz got to go swimming. He was reluctant at first because of the cold water, but the rocks I was skipping across the water were too tempting to not chase after. 
Finally, some fall color
The amphitheater.
The hike was about 4 miles, and the dogs were tired by the time we got back. The campground filled up today, and there are lots of kids enjoying the outside. We sat by the fire again discussing where to go tomorrow.
Saturday, October 26
We had planned on canoeing the Buffalo today, but I had a cold yesterday, and am not feeling up to a canoe trip. We decided to go to Devil's den state park, assuming they have spots available. We drove toward Devil's den, and tried to call all morning. They finally answered about 1 o'clock and told us they were full. We were in Harrison, and called Withrow Springs state park. They had one site available, and possibly one more, because someone had cancelled. We wouldn't know about the second site until three. We arrived at 2:30, and they said we could have both sites. They were full hookups, and were next to each other. What luck! The campground is nice, but the sites are a bit too close to each other, and the full hookup sites are $33 per night. There were lots of kids in this campground, and was nice to see them having freedom to run. The couple across from us had their outside tv on a football game, and assumed we wanted to hear the game. Erica and I walked the War Eagle trail. Shelly started walking with us, but her leg was hurting, so she decided to pick us at the other end of the trail. The trail is only a mile long, but overlooks the War Eagle valley at the top, and runs along the river at the bottom. 
The top of the trail
There is a cave at the bottom, but it is closed to prevent the spread of white nose syndrome in the bats in the cave. Back at camp, Shelly finally got her wish, and we played bean bag toss until dark. We made s'mores and talked s'more. The weather was quite a bit warmer than it has been the past few nights
Sunday October 27
This is Withrow Springs campground. Erica and Damon are planning on going to Tulsa today to visit with Gary and Grace before going home. Shelly and I will head south from here and see where we go. We decided on trying Devil's den again, and since it is a Sunday, we shouldn't have a problem getting a spot. We left around noon and decided on taking the back roads. They were very scenic, and the trees are starting to show their fall colors. Mapquest does not understand where state parks are, so we used Winslow as a destination. As we got closer, we realized the town of West Fork was closer to the turnoff to Devils Den. Mapquest then took us down several dusty gravel roads with steep hills. At least it was scenic. We set up at the state park, and I went for a hike up to the Devil's Den trail. It is about a mile and a half trail, but very pretty. And popular. The pictures don't do justice. At least mine don't. 
When I got back to camp, Shelly had slipped on a step going down to the picnic table, and hurt her good leg and arm. Now both of her legs are sore. The steps are 6" by 6" logs made from plastic, which I always thought was a good idea. Now I am starting to rethink that, at least for steps. 
A cave opening
Shelly at Campsite # 26
We ate hamburgers and sat by the fire until dark, and decided to watch a movie.
Monday, October 28
Shelly's left leg is now feeling better. I guess falling down was good therapy for it. Amazing how fast this trip has gone by. We are planning on heading toward home today, and getting home tomorrow sometime. 
We made it to Eisenhower state park just inside the Texas line, after driving until about 4 pm. It seems to be a great stopover place, but I probably wouldn't plan a vacation here. $23 for full hookups and drive through sites.
These last four pictures are where Ar. 220 crosses Lee creek south of Devil's Den
We decided to take a shortcut out of Devil's Den, and went south on Ar. 220. It is a gravel road, but the Airstream was already dusty from yesterday. We stopped where the road crosses Lee creek and took some pictures. It is very scenic here.
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