“Exploring Arkansas From Above: Winter”
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- Chuck Dovish
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Winter is the third season which will be presented in our program, “Exploring Arkansas From Above,” premiering Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
Normally, an Arkansas winter is rather mild with rain and freezing rain more so than snow. EXCEPT for last winter, when practically the entire state experienced Old Man Winter’s brutal blast and sub-freezing, piercing cold. All of that made for quite the winter wonderland display throughout The Natural State, which made our aerial, cinematic, perspective breathtaking to say the least!
Eureka Springs turned into Arkansas’s version of the snow-covered Swiss Alps – in fact, Eureka’s nickname is “Little Switzerland of the Ozarks.” The snow-packed Crescent Hotel (“America’s most haunted hotel”) turned into something that very much resembled a scene from the horror movie “The Shining.” Eureka’s narrow and winding streets are unique enough but, when you add tons of snow on top of that, it also reminds one of a village scene from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
An act of nature that happens rarely in Arkansas – maybe once every 20 years or so – is frozen waterfalls during winter. For that to occur, it takes days of constant, sub-freezing temperatures — and that’s exactly what happened last winter. The result was a crystalized wonder, frozen in time by Mother Nature. Bridal Veil Falls in Heber Springs became that frozen marvel to behold!
Mount Magazine in West Arkansas is also quite the experience and adventure during winter. At 2,753 feet, it’s the highest peak in the state. So, it’s usually the first location in Arkansas to get snow at the onset of winter. Being at the elevation that it is, the temperature – on an average – stays about ten degrees cooler at the top year-round, compared to the valley below.
War Eagle Mill near Rogers, Arkansas, is usually bustling with people but, after ice and snow take over and there’s not a soul around, the entire setting turns into a nostalgic “Currier and Ives” winter scene from the 1800s.
“Little Sugarloaf” – found along the Little Red River near Heber Springs, Arkansas – after a snowfall really does look like it’s sugar-coated. Little Sugarloaf was so named because of its resemblance to the bigger Sugarloaf Mountain on nearby Greers Ferry Lake.
Trumpeter Swans are the largest waterfowl in North America. They’re usually found in Alaska, Wyoming and other Western states. But, since 1992, after being blown of course during a severe storm, a handful wound up on Magness Lake east of Heber Springs, Arkansas. Now, every winter there are usually about 100 or so that make Magness Lake and a couple of surrounding lakes, their winter homes.
Winter in The Natural State also means experiencing the “Trail of Holiday Lights.” Many municipalities across the state have wonderful light displays but, in Batesville, the “White River Wonderland” display along 35-acre Riverside Park contains millions upon millions of lights and has rightfully earned Batesville the name the “Christmas Capital of Arkansas.”
Join us for the premiere of “Exploring Arkansas From Above” Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. on Arkansas PBS! And, if you’re in the neighborhood of Marshall, Arkansas, this Thursday, Nov. 4, stop by the Kenda Drive-In for a fun preview screening event! I’ll be there to visit starting when the gates open at 6 p.m., and you can see a sneak-preview of “Exploring Arkansas From Above” after sunset at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021
“Exploring Arkansas From Above” Preview Screening
107 Westwood Drive, Marshall, AR
Gates open at 6 p.m.; screening begins at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 29, 2021
“Exploring Arkansas From Above,” 7 p.m.
