From hiking a picturesque trail overlooking the Little Red River in Heber Springs, to visiting with a wooden boat builder in Bentonville, to spending time with students at DeSoto Bluff overlooking the Ouachita River in Arkadelphia, to learning about a Civil War skirmish at Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park in Jacksonville – you won’t want to miss the next brand new edition of “Exploring Arkansas” airing Monday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m.

The Mossy Bluff National Nature Trail begins at the William Carl Garner Visitor Center near Greers Ferry Lake and meanders along a bluff, offering spectacular views of the Little Red River and Greers Ferry Dam. An observation deck is located at the end of the trail, with the return trip at 1.6 miles total. There’s also the much shorter Buckeye National Nature Trail that is paved and wheelchair accessible. 

 

Tony Eliasen of Bentonville is doing his part in keeping the lost art of wooden boat building alive. Handcrafting his kayaks and canoes from wood strips, the end result is much more than just a boat, but actually a work of art.  Infact after completion, his boats are hung up on the wall like works of art. Eliasen didn’t mind taking them down though, to show ‘em off in the water for us. 

The DeSoto Bluff Trail in Arkadelphia leads hikers to a fantastic overlook of the Ouachita River and serves as an outdoor classroom for area students. It also happens to be along the route of the Hunter-Dunbar Expedition of 1804.

Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park in south Jacksonville along Bayou Meto, portrays the forgotten Civil War skirmish of 1863, which thwarted an attempt by the Union army in capturing  Little Rock. It also includes an 1860 era replica of a farmstead.

TUNE IN:

Monday, June 2, 2014

“Exploring Arkansas,” 6:30 p.m.