“Exploring Arkansas” – Jan. 2017
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- Chuck Dovish
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Experiencing folklife in the Ozarks from long ago, enjoying a backyard railroad like none other, taking a drive along the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway, and teaming up with a mule team wagon train – it’s all coming up in a brand new episode of “Exploring Arkansas” Wednesday, Jan. 4!
The Ozark Folklife Festival, held at the Tyler Bend Visitor Center near the banks of the Buffalo National River, portrays just that: how life was in the Ozarks back when the pioneers settled the region. That includes what they made and the hard work they had to do to stay alive. But it also takes us back to how they played and how they entertained “Down In The Arkansas.”
There are model train layouts, and then there are those who take it to the extreme. James Mitchell, who lives along Greers Ferry Lake, decided to take his outside. But this isn’t your normal, everyday electric train set – oh, no! – this one is a full-blown steam train, scaled down to run the entire length of Mitchell’s backyard. (Including a train trestle, the likes of which and to the scale I have never seen!) Needless to say, my videographer and I were simply amazed. When Mitchell stated, “Boys, we’re gonna make steam, run some trains and have fun …” we knew we were in for quite a show!
The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway is one of several picturesque byways that Arkansas has to offer. This particular stretch is the 35-mile section of Highway 21 north of Clarksville, which extends from the southern boundary of the Ozark National Forest to its northern boundary.
Head ‘em up and move ‘em out on a nine-mule team wagon train near Cozahome, not too far from the Lower Buffalo River Wilderness Area. These folks are a serious, rough-and-tough bunch who barrels through the wilderness like there’s nothing to it! The part I enjoyed the most, though, was the awesome chuck wagon meal at the end! Boy, howdy!!
Join us for all of it – Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 6:30 p.m.!
TUNE IN:
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017
“Exploring Arkansas,” 6:30 p.m.
