Chuck’s Blog – “Exploring Arkansas: March 2019”
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Being chased by dinosaurs, trying to keep a balance on a popular wobbling rock, descending into Blowing Cave, learning the art of banjo building and observing the white pelicans on Lake Conway – it’s all coming up in a brand new edition of “Exploring Arkansas,” Wednesday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m.
Arkansas’s version of “Jurassic Park” is called DinoTrek at Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs. This is the first permanent dinosaur display at the museum and is also the only outdoor exhibit of its kind in the state. Visitors can be up close with 18 dinosaurs throughout 21 acres. The trail is paved, so it is wheelchair accessible.
“Tilting” or “Wobbling Rock” overlooking Big Creek Valley near Cozahome has been a favorite attraction with the locals ever since the area was settled during the 1800s. This huge, eight-foot-square slab of rock only wobbles about an inch or so but, when you’re standing on it, it seems a whole lot more than that! “Rockin’ the rock” is quite the experience!
Unlike other caves in Arkansas, Blowing Cave in Cushman, northwest of Batesville, has a science fiction twist to it. During the 1940s, sci-fi writer Richard Shaver wrote some bizarre articles for Amazing Stories magazine. He described a subterranean culture beneath Blowing Cave consisting of blue-tinged human-like beings, which became known as the “Blue People.” Apparently, a secret passageway exists somewhere in the cave that leads to this subterranean domain. We decided to go in and do our own expedition in hopes of finding that hidden passageway.
Randall Wyatt of Searcy is the “banjo man.” But not only can he play ‘em, he can build ‘em as well. In fact, he’s built quite a few for musicians in Nashville. We paid a visit to his shop where we learned a little about the art of banjo building, along with of course, doing a little pickin’.
If you’ve never seen the white pelicans on Lake Conway, you’re missing out on nature’s wonderful display. They usually hang around the Highway 89 bridge at the southern tip of the lake during the fall and spring migratory periods. But it is possible to spot them year-round, as well. So join us for another exciting adventure on “Exploring Arkansas” – March 6 at 6:30 p.m.!
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Wednesday, March 6, 2019
"Exploring Arkansas," 6:30 p.m.
