Petit Jean State Park (cont.)

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

After exploring along Red Bluff Drive we decided to head east on Hwy. 154 out of the State Park to see what else we could see.

When we got to the tip of Petit Jean Mountain, we stopped to check out Stout's Point on the Arkansas River.

 Wow!  What a dramatic scene to behold!  Extremely steep rock mountain on one side of the Arkansas River and flat, fertile farm land on the other side.

 We were in total awe to happen upon this incredible place!

                        So much history in this place!

 What a great way to end a fun day at Petit Jean State Park soaking up the views of the Arkansas River.

  We made our way back to our campsite.  We were the only one camped in Area D which is the farthest away from the Park Office, the Lake, and the Lodge.  However, just before dark on our second night camped in the park, wouldn't you know not only did someone else pull into Area D, but out of the 30+ campsites available in Area D, they pulled in right next to us!  They were driving a U-Haul Truck and pulling a small travel trailer.  It was comical watching/listening to the back and forth instructions between the couple as they attempted to get their trailer backed in straight.  (It gets better!)  Once parked, the guy then gets out an air compressor and uses an impact wrench to level their little travel trailer!  You know what an impact wrench sounds like at your local Tire Shop?  Well you can imagine how that sound reverberated thru the quiet forest where we were camped.  Pyro and I were stifling our laughter!

Wednesday, September 21, 2016
The following morning we were up early, excited to explore another trail in Petit Jean State Park, the Seven Hollows Trail.  We drove to the Trailhead and headed out in the cool of the morning hoping to complete the 4 1/2 mile trail before the heat of the day.

The Seven Hollows Trail is one of great diversity, carved by constant stream action, each hollow abounds in its own natural beauty.

Is the rock wall holding up the tree or is the tree holding up the rock wall?

                                Surprising late Summer wild flowers!

                   We were the only ones on this trail this morning.

 The Natural Bridge, one of the many sights along the way.

 We stopped for a snack break when we reached The Grotto.

                                     
                                         This rock resembles a flower.

                           What do you suppose happen to this poor tree?

  
{I forgot to mention that yesterday after our foray over to the Arkansas River we hiked the quarter mile Bear Cave Trail before we went back to our campsite.}  Fun trail!

                                            I told you it was Fun!

Our adventures at Haw Creek Falls and the Buffalo National River, next.......

Exploring Petit Jean State Park

Well I was wrong.  I DID take a photo of our tent set up at Petit Jean State Park!  (Tom found the photo for me!)

It was warm enough that we opted to not even put on our tent's rainfly, therefore enjoying more airflow thru the tent.

 

Rather than driving down to the Lodge to the Cedar Falls Trailhead, we decided to walk the paved bike/walk pathway, a decision we may later regret since it was further than we thought?

 

Along the way to the Lodge we came upon this CCC Memorial.

 

We pushed on thru the Lodge, to the Cedar Falls Trailhead.

We checked out the Cedar Falls Overlook Boardwalk yesterday so today we want to venture down into the canyon to view the Falls up close.

 As promised, the trail was a bit challenging!  But I have Pyro along to help and protect me.......see how he is holding up this huge fallen tree trunk so I can pass under.

                                                     What a guy!

This is a much used trail, well marked with orange blazes, a well manicured path, and this awesome bridge across this small flowing creek.  Small today because the weather has been warm and dry for awhile however we can see along the sides of the creek where the water level has reached during heavy rain and runoff.

Here is my awesome Pyro once again helping me by holding up this massive boulder while I pass thru!  As I said "What a guy!"

                              On and on we go toward Cedar Falls.

 Most of the trail was challenging but there was a nice flat stretch near the bottom of the canyon before the Falls.

 Due to the extended dry hot weather we have had the Falls are quite small today.

 But it was so cool and peaceful we sat on the rocks for some time just enjoying the tranquility and the solitude. 

Needles to say, the walk back to the top was tougher than the walk down.  What goes down, must go up!  AND, we still have the long walk on the paved bike/walk path to get back to our campsite.  What were we thinking?

But after taking a short break and grabbing something to eat at our campsite, we decide to do a little more exploring by car so we drove around to Red Bluff Drive for some incredible views of the valley below.

 We passed by a large University of Arkansas complex.

As always we admired the enduring work of the CCC as shown here at this overlook.

We then continued along Red Bluff Drive to the Rock House Cave.

 To reach the Rock House Cave, the path crosses over what looks like a turtle's back,

                                        aptly named "Turtle Rocks".

                          Rock House Cave!

                                                  Awesome!

 Then we began our ascent back to our car......

                        .......not really, my Pyro is just having fun!

On to the Arkansas River in my next post........

 

In Memory of Wendall

In loving memory of Wendall Trumps

With his two daughters on each side holding his hands, my brother Wendall passed away just before midnight Friday, December 9.

 This photo was taken in November 2014.  (Wendall, my sister Donna, Tom.  My Mom and I are seated.

                                        Wendall and me in June of this year.

     Wendall with his daughters, Jessica and Rachel, August 2, 2016.

                     My Mom with Wendall at Thanksgiving.               

Within two weeks after Thanksgiving, Wendall breathed his final breath......sad to see you go, Wendall..........your passing leaves a hole in our hearts......


I owe a debt of gratitude to our wonderful, loving, strong, always-there-for-us Mom.  My heart aches for you Mom, losing a fourth son.....only God can give us strength to move forward during such tragedy.  I am so thankful to my parents for teaching us, raising us to know God.

                       My Mom and me in happier times.