Smokehouses And The Buffalo River
Solitary Sentinel Watching Over Rural Arkansas
Hot, humid and dry. That is our normal Ozark summer but this year it seems to have started early. May has been unusually hot and very dry. Although we are not currently in a drought situation, some days it sure feels like it. As June moves forward it is bacon lettuce & tomato sandwich season, and to start off the summer I like to get some fine smoked bacon. One of the best places to find that is Saint Joe, Arkansas where several smokehouses operate. The plan was to stop at Hasty, Baker's Ford and Gilbert access points along the Buffalo River, then turn around at Gilbert and head back to Saint Joe, which is only a few miles from Gilbert.
We arrived at the Hasty access, having driven over the new bridge, the old low water bridge no longer part of the highway. There were a few parked vehicles and one from Kansas with a group getting ready to float the river. They had moved all their boats but one down to the river. They told us this was their first visit to the Buffalo River and had floated this section yesterday. They were going to have a bite to eat, make the shuttle and then have a nice day trip. We wished them well. Down on the river there was a huge tree down on the gravel bar. I was amazed at how long it was. It seemed to have been there for a while. Some beautiful wildflowers peppered the area with white.
Leaving Hasty we continued east towards Baker's Ford, but decided to swing down to Yardelle and see how the spring was running. It still had a good flow but not nearly as strong as it was the last time we were here. Backtracking we got to Baker's Ford access. Again we saw no people floating but there was a couple getting ready to launch their kayaks and do some fishing. They would paddle upriver then float back down to their vehicle. This was a nice part of the morning, shady but bright.
We stayed for a bit then drove over to the Gilbert access. This is a large gravel area and can hold a big crowd. Unfortunately there is very little shade, so the wise family brings their own! We saw several families enjoying the area. They were having a very good time. After walking the entire beach area we headed back to Saint Joe for our lunch.
Last year we stopped at the Big Springs Trading Company so this time we pulled over at Coursey's Smoked Meats. One of the must stop places if you are in the Saint. Joe area. We had sandwiches made at the back counter (you have to remember this is not a restaurant, but their sandwiches are great), and then bought the smoked bacon we came for. I was so busy stuffing my face with the huge smoked ham and cheese sandwich I forgot to take pictures of Coursey's. We returned home shortly after noon.
Of course the Buffalo National River is a big attraction for our area, but there are many other places to visit when you travel to the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. Great food, terrific cultural activities, and plenty of weekend events in the area. And great smoked bacon!!
We stayed for a bit then drove over to the Gilbert access. This is a large gravel area and can hold a big crowd. Unfortunately there is very little shade, so the wise family brings their own! We saw several families enjoying the area. They were having a very good time. After walking the entire beach area we headed back to Saint Joe for our lunch.
Last year we stopped at the Big Springs Trading Company so this time we pulled over at Coursey's Smoked Meats. One of the must stop places if you are in the Saint. Joe area. We had sandwiches made at the back counter (you have to remember this is not a restaurant, but their sandwiches are great), and then bought the smoked bacon we came for. I was so busy stuffing my face with the huge smoked ham and cheese sandwich I forgot to take pictures of Coursey's. We returned home shortly after noon.
Of course the Buffalo National River is a big attraction for our area, but there are many other places to visit when you travel to the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. Great food, terrific cultural activities, and plenty of weekend events in the area. And great smoked bacon!!