With more and more COVID-19 restrictions being lifted in Arkansas, it seems we’re back to normal (well, almost).

For the first time in over a year, we were able to entertain one of the kids and her family for the weekend in an almost regular fashion. To say it was a busy few days would be a gross understatement. Immediately after arriving Saturday morning, Karyn and Ridge headed to the crawl space to retrieve fishing rods, reels, and tackle. Regrettably, I had let the supply of tackle dwindle to almost nothing; Karyn and Matt drove to the nearest bait shop and purchased hooks, sinkers, floats, worms, and minnows. Of course, Aker had to be in on the fun and joined brother, mom, and dad on a crowded dock. Wind was heavy, blowing directly into their faces, resulting in slow fishing, though a few small bream and bass fell victim to the live bait. 

Though fishing was the first event, it certainly was not the last. Next was kayaking on the lake. Ridge brought a new kayak, and took to kayaking like a duck to water; he was a natural, and maneuvered the kayak like a pro despite the windy conditions. His mom, sister, and dad joined in the family fun.

After kayaking, it was beach time. They hustled off to Balboa beach and discovered friends were there and had rented a covered pavilion. The kids played in the water until late afternoon. For dinner dry Memphis-style smoked ribs with corn on the cob, salad, potato salad, etc. were served, and then bedtime came early.

Sunday morning saw us gathered at Diamante County Club for their really good brunch buffet.

Finally open after having to close for the pandemic, the buffet has always been one of our favorites. Seemingly, the food was better Sunday than we previously remembered. After brunch, it was back to the dock for fishing, and then Ridge had to kayak again, being even more comfortable behind the double-bladed paddle. Kayaking was followed by pool time at Diamante Country Club where granddaughter Aker met new friends and had a super time. 

From the pool, it was back to the house driveway to pickup sandwiches, chips, etc. before heading to Balboa beach. There, they joined friends, returning just before dark. Kay fed the grandkids, and parents met their friends for a night out. Kay, the grandkids, and I were in bed by 9 PM. 

“Sleeping in” was the order of the morning on Monday, Memorial Day. After a quick breakfast, Karyn and her family returned home for a busy afternoon; I slept and Kay went shopping.

Life for us has pretty much returned to normal, whatever that is. Kay continues with board duties for PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization) and the Lady Duffers (HSV womens’ 9-hole social golf league) while playing with another golf group, and playing pickleball a couple times a week. I played golf two times this week as well as playing pickleball a couple of times.

Butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies are slowing appearing at our place in Hot Springs Village, later than in the past few years. Sunday, after church, three different species of butterflies were observed at our place. With camera, lens, and tripod in hand, a Question Mark and a Hackberry Emperor were photographed at the base of the same tree, and a Red-spotted Purple was photographed nectaring on a freshly hung basket of Vinca.

I was so desperate to make pictures that I “captured” this Carolina Chickadee waiting on a space at the feeder.

No new butterflies were spotted at our place on Monday, but a couple of dragonflies and a damselfly were; and, of course, they were photographed.

This unusual bloom was spotted on an aquatic plant adjacent to our dock.

I got in a round of golf on Tuesday with our church group, but pickleball was canceled because of the threat of rain.

Kay got in a golf game Wednesday morning before the rain, but our HSV Paddlewheelers pickleball game was canceled. Since pickleball was canceled, I drove the few minutes to Middle Fork Barrens Nature Area and found an array of new wildflowers.

Indian Pink finally began blooming (one of my favorites).

A dragonfly and a damselfly were also seen.

Butterflies, mostly skippers, were plentiful as the sun warmed the area, and I was rewarded with these photos.

More rain and a mix-up by the HSV Pickleball Club thwarted my playing pickleball this week though Kay did get in a few games on Thursday evening. Additionally, she played a round of golf on Friday afternoon before dinner at Diamante with the Hartmans.

Not much has changed from that last reported. However, the loosening of Covid-19 restrictions has meant that we are now able to share time with close family and friends in settings other than our houses. In that regard, Kay attended her first The Book Club meeting Thursday afternoon, May 13, in over a year; The Book Club had suspended meetings last April 2020. It has been in existence for 41 years!

I returned to Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area on Friday morning, May 14, to photograph wildflowers.

Even a few butterflies made an appearance and remained still long enough for a decent picture.

One dragonfly and one damselfly presented themselves for photos.

Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16, grandson Ridge played soccer in the state tournament in North Little Rock, state championship. His team, the Rangers (class of 2011 because all players were born in 2011), won all four games, allowing only one goal, to claim the state championship. It was a thrilling couple of days, and Kay and I were able to watch him play.

Kay and I met our new doctor, Dr. Seth Barns, on Monday, May 17. We really liked our former doctor, Dr. Xu, but he left the CHI group for private practice and we felt it in our best interest to remain in the CHI group for consolidated information and medical histories.

For the first time in well over a year, granddaughter Aker spent the first solo night (Friday, May 21) away from home, and we were the recipients of her visit. Kay and Aker met Aker’s other family members on Saturday, May 22, at the Hot Springs Alligator & Petting Zoo.

It’s been a while since a blog entry was last posted!

Though we’re quite active with full schedules, on looking back it seems we lead a pretty dull life, constantly repeating the same activities, day in day out. I did manage to trip to Camp Robinson SUA (AGFC Pepper’s Pond) and William Kirsch Preserve to make photos on Tuesday, May 4. Retriever training was in full blast mode with shotgun sounds booming, etc. so we departed after a couple of hours for  William Kirsch Preserve in Little Rock. There, wind was whipping through the vegetation, minimizing photo opportunities. Photos of wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and birds follow. A click on each photo will enlarge it.

I got a good report from the cardiologist on Thursday, May 6, and the slight heart valve leakage has not intensified.

Kay had a great lunch with her two kids on Saturday, May 8, to celebrate Mother’s Day. It was particularly special and intimate for her as it was only her kids and her.

Kay and I had to take a break from this busy retirement lifestyle; consequently, we traveled to  Crystal Bridges for the long weekend. The trails and grounds, in addition to the art galleries, had been beckoning for some time.

After departing home mid-morning on Friday, our first major stop was Devil Den’s State Park near Winslow, Arkansas. Though not sure why, the old age of the infrastructure and park setting was a surprise; we had expected a state park like Petit Jean or Lake Ouachita. We walked a short trail looking for wildflowers and butterflies, but not they were far and few between—a big disappointment after having read so many positive stories about the park. In fact, not a single photo was made. Perhaps we did not venture far and wide enough to be impressed.

Our next stop was Crystal Bridges. We walked the Tulip Tree and North Forest trails, both exhibiting an abundant number of native wildflowers. The aesthetics were great as we could see and hear the rushing water of natural creeks and streams adjacent to the trails.

Before turning in for the night, we had dinner was at Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, and it was good.

After grabbing a sack breakfast from the hotel lobby, we drove the short distance to the Saturday Bentonville Farmer’s Market on the square—OMG. Fresh vegetable and flowerstands, a variety food trucks, artists, crafters, coffee stands, etc. covered about 3 blocks with people seemingly everywhere. I had a coffee while Kay had tacos.

A live band was playing in one area, and a “Square to Square” bicycle ride was terminating in another. Vendors covered the square and surrounding streets and parking lots. The bicycle ride limited the number of riders to 3,000, with a loooong waiting list. The ride was from the Fayetteville square to the Bentonville square. Cyclists of all ages, ethnicity, sizes, and shapes participated.

Among my favorite street performers is the balloon artist.

The number of young families was surprising, and most of the market goers were masked. It was an incredibly fun experience, and one we will not miss on future trips to northwest Arkansas.

Kay obtained 12:30 PM tickets to the Crustal Bridges Museum of American Art, a world-class art museum (admission is free). We continue to be impressed with each visit, and this visit was no exception. If you haven’t been, it is a “must see” stop, worth traveling several hours out of the way.

A late lunch was at AQ Chicken House, a northwest stalwart. I try to eat there anytime we’re in northwest Arkansas, remembering the good meals eaten there (usually on someone else’s dime) during college at the University of Arkansas. The food was great.

We returned to the hotel, spent a quiet evening before an early bedtime.

Having met our objectives, we returned home Sunday to spend an unusual quiet day.

The exuberance found in the abundance of yesterday’s wildflower blooms and butterflies was short-lived; the quality of photos made was disappointing, at least to me. This constituted another visit to the Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area Thursday. Armed with different equipment and camera settings, yesterday’s path was retraced and more photos made—this time with a tripod and faster shutter speeds to partially mitigate for undesirable winds. Actually, the results were only just a bit better than yesterday; I am my own worst critic. 

These are some of my favorites.

Beauty is found by looking closely at things around you—high and low. Western Daisies are such stand-out flowers (third and fourth photos). Blackberries should be plentiful this year as blackberry blooms are everywhere (next to last photo).

And of course, delicate butterflies such as the Little Wood-Satyrs (first and third), Horace’s Duskywing (second), and Gemmed Satyr (last) .

Even a Variegated Meadowhawk dragonfly made an appearance.

Tuesday was filled with commitments—golf, medical appointments, pickleball, and summer trip planning—so, it seems like we’re back to normal with a busy lifestyle; it was great having Kay back home again.

An even busier day ensued on Wednesday—dentist for Kay, pickleball with the Hot Springs Village Paddle Wheelers, and a Pilot maintenance visit to the Honda dealership. I did make time to visit the Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area where a number of flowers were blooming and a few butterflies flitting about. A small area of blooming Bee Balm was found—a bit early in the year—a sign that the appearance of the majestic Diana Fritillary butterfly was not many weeks away.

A few fungi were found growing in the damp, shadowy areas.

And, of course, butterflies.

“Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda.”  That’s the phrase to describe Thursday morning. After awaking from a good night’s sleep, I debated whether or not to ride the remaining completed portion of the Delta Heritage Trail, the 9.4 mile section from Watson south to Rohwer. It would constitute a long drive, making a decision on whether or not to break camp or spend a third night, and put my spent body through almost 19 more miles of pedaling. A decision was made to break camp, return home, and bid farewell to Kay before her girls’ trip to Biloxi; giving me an excuse to return to this great rail trail.

Kay departed shortly after my return home, excited to spend some girl time with “gambling” friends. I unpacked, sorted equipment, and performed a post-trip review—what worked, what didn’t; equipment needed, equipment not needed, etc. During the camping portion of the trip, it became obvious that most of the 20-40 year old camping equipment didn’t make the cut.

As thru-hikers, backpackers who travel a complete trail without interruptions, would say, Friday was a “zero” day, a day in which they rested, did laundry, restocked, etc. I did, however, edit photos of the camping/cycling trip and post on Facebook.

On Saturday, I phoned a dear friend for a lunch date, and he said he was a bit under the weather. An hour or so later, he texted a request for me to come over. Sensing that something was wrong, I made the 15-minute drive in 10 minutes. He had forethought to leave the front door unlocked, and upon entering, I found him sitting in his chair; he was unable to stand, and was coughing every other breath. A mutual decision was made to call for an ambulance, WITHOUT SIREN. An ambulance and two EMTs arrived within a few minutes, and after checking basic vital signs, he was transported to CHI ER in Hot Springs. In short, he was diagnosed with a viral condition, medicated, and assigned a hospital room. Upon returning Sunday morning, I found him doing MUCH better and having regained some strength. He was released in the late afternoon; a catastrophe was averted! I was very impressed with his doctoral care and the nursing care at CHI. It’s refreshing to know that good medical facilities are within reach of us at Hot Springs Village. A call on Monday found his condition much better. Kay returned home from Biloxi Monday afternoon, a bit poorer from time AND MONEY spent at the casino, and happy to be back home.

The wind blew, and blew hard, most of the night. And the temperature dropped into the high 30s. Snuggled in a mummy sleeping bag wearing a hooded down puffy jacket kept me warm as toast, though I did not sleep well—the first night camping is always the most difficult in which to get a good night’s sleep.

The wind had abated considerably, and the fire pit beckoned a campfire. The wind last night blew down several small limbs and twigs, and the “pickins’ were easy”. Water was heated for the French press, and with coffee in hand, I sat by the campfire and contemplated world problems. By the time the first cup of coffee was drunk, most of the problems were solved.

Breakfast was comprised of reconstituted instant oatmeal and a skillet-toasted English muffin, washed down with a second cup of French press coffee.

After washing dishes and tidying up the “kitchen”, cycling clothes were put on and I began riding, with a goal of round-tripping to the Lake View trailhead and return, a total distance of 23 miles. It proved to be a good day for cycling. The first stop was at the Lick Creek trailhead at Mile 4.9. 

After the Jan. 11, 1863, battle at Arkansas Post, Gen. Willis Gorman led troops from Helena on a raid up the White River. Col. Powell Clayton and 1,200 cavalrymen went to Big Creek west of Helena when a patrol of 25 men of the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry was sent back with messages. On arriving at Lick Creek, they found the bridge burned. As they forded the creek, around 200 Confederate horsemen attacked the patrol. The Wisconsin men, armed only with pistols, shot five or six attackers, but were quickly overrun. Only 5 of the 25 men made it to Helena. (Source: Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission)

The tree canopy enclosing parts of the trail added to the already great aesthetics, and provided for a tranquil ride though two dogs gave chase at Mile 8.0 (6.0 miles into the ride).

The next stop was at Lake View, Mile 13.9. 

The Lake View Resettlement Project Historic District encompasses a significant portion of a Depression-era agricultural resettlement project of the United States federal government in and around Lake View, Arkansas, in Phillips County. Covering nearly 4,400 acres on either side of Arkansas Highway 84 north of Old Town Lake, the area was developed in the 1930s by the  Resettlement Administration as a rural community specifically developed for African-Americans. (Note: The Resettlement Administration was a US Federal agency created May 1, 1935, as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.) It relocated struggling urban and rural families to communities planned by the federal government. Roads and houses were built through the area, and a successful farming community eventually arose. The original settlement name was “Turkey Scratch” from the 1850s to the official declaration of the town’s namesake in the 1920s. When the town was re-established in 1937, Lake View became one of three communities in Arkansas to be reserved for black farm families by the Resettlement Administration. It is one of the few communities in the U.S. with an African-American percentage at over 90 percent of the populations.

With only 6.7 miles remaining, I decided to complete this entire portion of the trail today, forgetting that I had to pedal all the way back to camp. It was a fairly easy pedal to Elaine, the trail terminus. A hole-in-the-wall cafe was on the opposite side of the street, and I ordered and ate a fantastic jumbo cheeseburger, fries, and diet Coke.

With a full belly, I began the long ride back to camp. The prevailing winds had increased in velocity to about 15 mph, and were directly in my face. And, much of this part of the trail is void of any trailside vegetation to serve as a windbreak; and with cleared agricultural land as far as one could see giving the wind an unobstructed path, it made for very difficult paddling—my average speed dropped about 35 percent. Finally, back at the Lake View trailhead, some tree canopy served to diffuse the wind to make pedaling a bit easier. And yes, the dogs again took chase again at Mile 8.0. After arriving back in camp, I was too tired to do much of anything. A pot of hot tea and a camp chair served as a resting place until bedtime.

Those of you who follow this blog might recall how much I enjoy riding Rails-to-Trails bicycle trails. In fact, a goal of mine had been to ride all of the Rails to Trails Hall of Fame trails before I died. It has become obvious that this won’t happen; too old too fast! However, I have ridden the KATY Trail, Razorback Greenway, Arkansas River Trail, Great Allegheny Passage, George S. Mickelson Trail, Virginia Creeper National RecreationTrail, High Bridge Trail, and the New River Trail, all combined to comprise several hundred miles! 

Arkansas’ Rail Trail, the Delta Heritage Trail, however, never appeared on the radar; it’s not publicized, nor is it a Hall of Fame trail. But, it has been beckoning as of late. Since Kay was busy prepping for a girls’ trip to the Gulf coast and the weather expected to be relatively cool, the next few days provided a great opportunity to camp, cycle, make a few photographs, and enjoy some “alone” time.

Before leaving on Tuesday morning, camping and cycling equipment had to be inventoried before being packed. Gosh, that’s a lot of stuff for a 2-3 day camping trip—too much stuff, in fact. However, it was all packed into the car, the bicycle carrier installed, and the TREK DS4 bicycle loaded. I was off for the Delta Heritage Trail Visitors Center at about 11 AM.

The easy drive followed a route through Little Rock, towards Memphis, and then to Brinkley, where it followed US Highway 49 to the Delta Heritage Trail State Park Visitors Center, just off the highway. After checking in, camping equipment and paraphernalia were transported, by hand, to the walk-in primitive campground (reminder: take Kay’s little blue wagon next trip) at Mile 2.0 of the trail.

The tent was pitched, and because of the forecast of exceeding high winds, the rainfly was tied as well as staked. Sleeping pads, sleeping bag, and clothes and toiletries were stowed inside, and cooking equipment and supplies were spread out on and around the campsite picnic table.

With daylight “left to burn”, bicycle tires were aired up and I rode from the campground at Mile 2.0 to the beginning of the Trail at Mile 0.0 and back.

By then, around 6 PM, the wind had increased to the point that I had to move the cooking setup inside the tent. Dinner was turkey spaghetti with fresh spinach incorporated. After adding a bit too much boiling water, the spaghetti was moved to a homemade COZY and left to rehydrate. It was surprisingly very tasty. The rest of the short evening was spent watching YouTube videos.