Camping in the Ouachita Mountains

The Ouachita National Forest, located in the Ouachita Mountains, is the oldest National Forest in the Southern US of A. With almost 1.8 million acres with which 65,000 is designated as wilderness areas, this is a must travel-through forest if you ever found your way South. The views are unbelievable and it holds the highest mountain in Arkansas, Mount Magazine.  Ouachita is the French spelling of the Indian Tribe, Washita, meaning "good hunting grounds." Originally named Arkansas National Forest, it was later changed to Ouachita National Forest in 1926.  French explorers favored this area often using names like Fourche La Fave River. There are miles and miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.  Camping, canoeing, fishing, and hunting, although no lead shots are allowed here, are just a few of the activities this forest has to offer. They offer bald eagle tours and you can even go digging for quartz here in these mountains. 

After leaving Hot Springs, we took off to find our perfect camping spot for that evening.  We didn't have reservations so we drove the winding roads of the mountains until we decided on landing at Ouachita National Forest.  Because of the unusually warm weather, many of the campsites were booked but we found one area with a few open tent spaces.  And the view was amazing.  We unpacked, chopped our own firewood...well, the BF did that, and went for small hike before settling in for the evening.  Pork steak, Pad Thai, and S'mores were on the dinner menu.  There is nothing like cooking over an open fire to satisfy the taste buds.  The sunset was eye pleasing and the fire offered a warm place to settle in for a night of beer drinking, dominoes, and card playing.  I dare any of  you to challenge us! 

The next morning I was up early enjoying the many sounds of nature, sipping on hot tea, and began reading a new book.  For breakfast we had one of our favorites, Breakfast Scramble by Mountain House and cooked breakfast sausage over the fire...there is nothing like it either. Lola may have enjoyed a few pieces too.  A few more rounds of dominoes before packing up and heading on to our next camping adventure.  We had no idea where were going, we just drove and you will definitely want to read about our next night...owls, coyotes, and one really creepy stray cat. 

Oh and the photo of the bathroom with the sign that reads "please do not wash dishes in the sink"...that was only in the women's bathroom (insert eye-rolling emoji)...get with the times Arkansas...I did not do the dishes and if I was into spray painting, that signed would have been turned into a colorful art masterpiece.

 Fourche La Fave River

Happy Camping!
Shona

Roaming the Streets of Hot Springs

Recently we took a little venture South.  We loaded up the car and took off at 8 pm to start an extended Holiday Weekend in Arkansas.  A few normal stops along the way for coffee and gas station snacks and we arrived in Fayetteville around midnight on Thanksgiving night.  Up early the next morning for breakfast and back on the winding roads to our first destination, Hot Springs.

The weather was abnormally warm for the end of November and the quaint little town was bustling with people as we drove the drag toward our hotel.  We stayed at The Hotel Hot Springs, dog-friendly of course and located at the edge of town. Perfect location to be able to walk everywhere.  We set out to explore, admiring the history and architecture of the town before running into a little gem called the Aristocrat...where they may or may not have let us buy tall-boys with which we were able to dump into styrofoam cups and continue our journey around town.  This is gangster land folks, so it's fine.  We had an escape route if needed.  We did a bit of window shopping where I found the perfect patch for my denim vest, before making a stop at the Copper Penny Pub for a snack and cocktails, after-all it was happy hour.

We checked out the hotel bar, it's tradition, before continuing the evening which consisted of sparkling Christmas lights and filthy martinis at the infamous Arlington Hotel, where it was still nice enough to be on the patio before heading on to find live music.  We started at a place called the Ohio Club, the oldest and apparently most popular place in town, it was packed so we decided to move on finding a place called, Maxine's Live. Jackpot! Live music and informal, the perfect place to belly up to the bar before ending the evening.  Maxine's was named after Maxine Temple Jones, the once Brothel Queen of Hot Springs in the mid-1900's, which was located on the second floor and used to be named the Crystal Saloon.

The next morning I introduced the BF to The Pancake Shop.  A well-known breakfast spot in Hot Springs but worth the wait.  By the way, order the pancakes...along with eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, apple butter, coffee, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. I am being serious too.  You will want it all. One last stop to pick up a few holiday gifts before packing up our bags to head into nature for the next two nights.  Before leaving, we filled up our water canister for camping with the natural water from the springs, it's right in the center of town...Stay tuned for our experience's in the wild mountains of Arkansas!

There is so much history in Hot Springs and it's worth the drive.

Two gangsters just exploring the streets of Hot Springs...
Shona

White Cloud Winnings and Weston Wine

White Cloud and I don't mean the puffy poofs in the sky either.  If you haven't experienced this small, best-place-to-people-watch casino..make the drive North.  And if you aren't a regular, they know it...which just adds to the enjoyment of it all.  Saturday night of our weekend get-a-way meant a night of B-I-N-G-O and I am guessing you sang it just like I did when I was typing it.  Three hours of being a nervous wreck hoping to yell out the one word that everyone is anxiously waiting to say...and not one of us got too either.  And the people there, they take this sh*t serious too.  And did you know there are like 1,795 ways to play bingo...ya me neither. That and the fact I didn't want to yell BINGO when I didn't really have one just added to my anxiety!  But we did have a platter of fried food...winning!  

After bingo we headed to the slots to play the "free" money we received since it was our birthdays.  But you know the rule, you have to "play" that free money and can't just cash it out.  Come on people, I know how to work that system.  Insert a small amount, play a while, and since you usually win some along the way, once you get a head, cash out.  Repeat. I would only play like $5 at a time and always cashed out above that so thanks White Cloud for doubling the money you gave me!  

The next morning we headed down for breakfast before cruising to our next destination, Riverwood Winery.  I love this place! They have some of the best wine I have ever had and since it's getting to be close to the Holidays, their warm samples of wine and whiskey hit the spot!  I opted for Red Eminence and can't wait to heat that bottle up with a bit of mulling spices to make for the perfect Festive Cocktail! And the Havarti cheese was to die for...

We made a short stop in Weston to stroll downtown for a while before heading home.  Cigar shops, antiques, coffee houses...and I managed to pick up a few Christmas gifts while there.  I also found two pairs of Buckskin Indian Pants with antler buttons...Mom, about my Christmas list you asked for....I am going to need those! And I found a vintage glass syringe..I should probably add that to my medical bag too! 

I have to thank my Mom for planning this little get-a-way, she is super if you haven't already figured that out! See my previous two blog posts for more cool places we adventured to! 

Shona