Wednesday November 15th
Left Natural Falls state park and heading for Queen Wilhelmena state park in SE Arkansas. Backtracked 7 miles or so on 412 alternate (412 was pay turnipike) to scenic Hwy10 south. It followed the Illinois river. We stopped at the Peavine Hollow river access point which had camping and was where we presumed rafts are launched and picked up by river operators. Played a bit with dogs and some swimming then on south.
Stopped to stretch legs at a gas station near Tahlequah and alex got a BBQ sandwich which was good. On south on 82 by Tenkiller lake to Vian. Then on 64 to Salisaw where we got fuel and then headed south on 59 to 270 through the Ouachita National Forest. Nasty weather. A rain front had hit us at natural falls and we were following it so very foggy with drizzle…supposed to be scenic but not much view. Tried to takd HWY 1 in Ok/88 in ARK but so nasty we aborted and backtracked 4 miles to 270. Took 270 east into Ark then up to Queen Wilhelmina State park.
Solid fog and nasty. We checked out lodge (Ok not too grand and maybe no bar). We would have gotten one of their dog friendly rooms but they were booked. Checked out campground but decided to leave (later found out this was bad decision as alex was mad the rest of the day cause we left). Headed east on 270 thorough Mena then HWY 88 towards Hot Springs (61 miles). Rejoined with 270 at Pencil Bluff. Pulled off to check out a few spots ie Shirley creek but no camping. Were resigned to hotel or Treasure Isle RV park but then saw NF campground Charlton! Pulled in there and spent the night. Nice creek and even a waterfall (man made). Nice empty camp though. Half the campsites were closed near the water and this is due to potential flooding! They had signs all over park saying this is high water mark and it was about up to my neck. It was nice. Had weak cell service.
Thursday November 16th
Left around 9am. Drove to Hot Springs National Park and checked it out. Developed in late 1800 and preserved by US government before National parks were a thing. Went to”bath house Row” and checked out the visitor center which was in one called the Fordyce Bath House named after the colonel who built it. Nice museum and old architecture.
Then left there around 11am and drove to Chicot Lake State Park which is in very southeast Arkansas. East on 270 to Pine bluff then SE on 65 towards Lake Village. Before lake village headed east to the big 22 mile long 1 mile wide oxbow lake (natural from Mississippi river). Small state park. Had nice lake front spot with cypress. We were in site number 114. Marina where you can rent fishing boat or kayaks. Took a short walk to nature trail then early to bed (fish taco dinner). Still pretty lame due to knee injury but can do easy walks.
