Chuck’s Blog – “Exploring Arkansas: May 2019”
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A pristine lake; snakes and more snakes; a historic lookout; waterfalls and off-roading – it’s all coming up in a brand new edition of “Exploring Arkansas” Wednesday, May 1!
Lake Atalanta in Rogers goes way back to the 1930s when it was constructed by the Works Progress Administration under President Roosevelt. The entire area has now been redone into a fishing, paddling, mountain biking and walking-jogging recreation mecca. My favorite part of all of it happens to be a tree house that’s been built by the playground area. Reminds me of the tree house I had as a kid in our backyard apple tree.
Snakes alive! “Snake World,” near Berryville, is the result of one man actively collecting snakes since he was a teenager. Dale Ertel has snakes that could put you in the hospital and docile, non-venomous kind that are harmless. Harmless, that is, until they start putting the squeeze on you, if you know what I mean. In fact, with about eighty snakes, Ertel has more snakes than the Little Rock Zoo! He also has reptiles, tortoises and — get this – vegetarian piranha, so if you want to stick your hand in with them, go right ahead!
The Dardanelle Rock Natural Area along the Arkansas River has quite the history. This famous landmark, was first a tribal meeting place for Native Americans; then, during the Civil War, Confederate soldiers used it as a lookout to spy on Federal activities in the area.
Farther down from the Rock is an area known as “Council Oaks.” During the early 1820s when Arkansas was still a territory, it’s believed that a treaty was signed with the Cherokees under two towering oak trees in which they gave up all their lands south of the Arkansas River. Only one tree remains, and the site is now a city park.
When Fairfield Bay was built during the 1960s, it was intended to be a retirement village; it’s amazing what a difference a few decades make! If you happen to own what is known as a utility off-road vehicle (UTV), then this, my friends, is your new playground! Fairfield Bay is not your grandpa’s retirement village anymore. Ninety miles worth of off-road trails makes this a hot-spot for some wild and crazy off-road adventure! Also, a well-kept secret until now is an area known as “Indian Hills Falls.” Get this – not one, not two, not three, not four but FIVE waterfalls in a relatively small area. And, they’re only about a 150 yards or so from the road!
So, join us for all the fun and adventure – May 1 at 6:30 p.m.!
TUNE IN:
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
“Exploring Arkansas,” 6:30 p.m.
