A Drive Down Daniel's Mountain Road
Admiring The Forest View On A Sunny Day
It was shortly before Christmas and we had had several days of cold weather, but today promised to be sunny and warm. One of my good friends lives deep in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, surrounded by national forest. We gave them a call and then headed out to take a walk on their property and then drive down Daniel's Mountain road. All in all a delightful way to spend a day.
We arrived about mid-morning and spent quite a bit of time sitting on their deck, catching up on each others lives. Just before noon we headed down their road. Of course they know all the little ins and outs of the area and guided us around on a very pleasant hike that went past some very interesting sites and also gave us a good look at the forest.
We arrived about mid-morning and spent quite a bit of time sitting on their deck, catching up on each others lives. Just before noon we headed down their road. Of course they know all the little ins and outs of the area and guided us around on a very pleasant hike that went past some very interesting sites and also gave us a good look at the forest.
It was nice and sunny as we made our way around. We went past a pond that was heavily evaporated by the current drought but my friends said it was spring fed and never went totally dry, and an old spring house. There was a field that at one time was a garden. It was across from the old spring house. As we walked my friend gave us a little history about his place. One thing I found very informative is that it has been inhabited since the Civil War. All of us enjoyed the chance to get out and walk in the sun. We looped back to their house and had a snack and then made our way down the mountain.
It has been perhaps 7 years since I have gone down the road from Swain to Murray. It is a seldom traveled road that, as I remember, can be quite tricky in bad weather. The road features old farmhouses, some cared for and some abandoned, and very interesting rock formations. Some of them are right on the road and some off on private property. As we made our way along and then down the road, I mentioned to David that it seemed much improved!
It has been perhaps 7 years since I have gone down the road from Swain to Murray. It is a seldom traveled road that, as I remember, can be quite tricky in bad weather. The road features old farmhouses, some cared for and some abandoned, and very interesting rock formations. Some of them are right on the road and some off on private property. As we made our way along and then down the road, I mentioned to David that it seemed much improved!
We passed an old log cabin and barn which looked unoccupied but well tended and looked after. You could still see the marks of the hand tools on the joints. At several points along the road we stopped and got out to look at some old abandoned homesteads and of course large rocks. I am always impressed at the size of rocks that seem to just "pop up" out of the ground.
Once we got to the bottom and crossed the Little Buffalo River at the Murray Slab we pulled over at the community building and walked back. There was no water in the river, and we ambled a bit upriver to see what we could see. Dust and dirt was all there was. The horse camp at Murray was in fine form. We got back in the truck and headed into Parthenon and Jasper. Before we hit the highway we passed the "Kissing Tree" which is on the Murray road.
Once we got to the bottom and crossed the Little Buffalo River at the Murray Slab we pulled over at the community building and walked back. There was no water in the river, and we ambled a bit upriver to see what we could see. Dust and dirt was all there was. The horse camp at Murray was in fine form. We got back in the truck and headed into Parthenon and Jasper. Before we hit the highway we passed the "Kissing Tree" which is on the Murray road.
Winter is one of our favorite times to go hiking. Often the days are sunny and pleasant and with the leaves down, you get some awesome views. Of course, with my new knee I have been eager to get out and give it a workout. I hope you will get up out of your chair, grab the family and go for a walk in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas.