A Sunday Drive to Blanchard Springs near Mtn. View , AR

It has been raining an awful lot around here ... especially for the month of August. Penny and I decided to take a Sunday drive down to the Sylamore Forest and see how the creeks and rivers were flowing . It was raining lightly when we left and started getting heavier by the time we got off the highway heading into the mountains. The first road I took , we drove about 2 miles down , and there was a washed out bridge that a truck had just gotten stuck trying to cross , so I reluctantly turned around ... We NEED a Jeep! 

 

 After backtracking to the highway , I got out my maps and plotted another attack at a forest road further down the highway . After missing the turnoff and doubling back , we turned down it to find a flooded creek crossing that Penny did NOT want to cross ....

We NEED a Jeep !

 

So .... I backed out of that hole and we cruised around the area on paved roads , and then I spotted the cutoff to Blanchard Springs State Park . Penny and I had been there once , a long time ago when we took one of our trips to Arkansas in our motorhome. They have a great cavern to tour , but the highlight of the park is the Spring , which on a normal day produces up to 100,000 gallons of water .... per minute . I do believe it was flowing at maximum today for our visit . It was a spectacular site to see and hear . We took photos , and of course I hiked upstream from the place you are supposed to STOP and view from .... I always have to see what is around the bend in a creek or river . Sure enough  .... as I made my way over some slippery rocks , a really beautiful waterfall came into view . It was only able to be seen from that area ..... You always get an extra treat in the wilderness , if you are willing to get up, get out and go to the mountains. I really love this area !

 

Later , after messing around a old CCC stone bridge at the parking area , we drove back out to the highway , and I found a road going back into the Forest area we originally had tried to come in that was washed out . We wound up getting to go to Gunner Pool area and Barkshed Camp , saw a lot of deer romping thru the woods , and took more great photos of the water flowing out of the mountain areas towards the White River basin . It was a great day to be outdoors , and Penny and I had a good time .

Enjoy the photos until y'all  can make the trip up to see us !

 

 

 

The second road we tried to get into the Forest ...I Know I know .... TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN ( wasn't THAT deep!)  We NEED a Jeep!

This is Penny's favorite kind of trail .... paved! No poison ivy !

The creek flowing out from the Spring outlet ... lots of water !

I'd say the humidity level was ......100% ..... at least !

Yee Haa! Break out the Kayak !

Amazing flow ... for August !

The mouth of the Spring as it exits the mountain , and the observation deck that you are supposed to STOP on .

Penny always abides by the law .... she stopped . She is so sweet .........

The sign .... posted by " The Man" .......

Just a few more feet .... PLEEEEZZZZZEEEE!!!!

As I sneak around the bend , a feeder stream is flowing down the mountain to join the water from Blanchard Spring.

As I follow the feeder stream up further, I round a bend and there it is .... a treat for my eyes . A great waterfall ..... I wanted to keep going , but Penny was waiting alone .... obeying the law ...because she is sweet .... :)

A video clip Penny shot of the water flowing .....WOW!

Messing around the old CCC bridge ..... GREEN isn't it ?

This was a small spring ... just flowing out of the side of the mountain . I just love this kind of stuff !

Daytrip to Buffalo River ... Boxley Valley , AR

Penny and I were restless today and decided to get out and take a road trip over to the Harrison area , about an hour west from our home in Lakeview. Penny loves to go prowling through the flea market called "The Junkshun" .... which is located at the junction of

Hwy 62 and Hwy 65 near Harrison. I suggested since we were going that far west , we should drive on down to the Buffalo River area , and tour through Boxley Valley and see how the river was flowing after the rain we have had. It has been exceptionally cool the last week or so , and we have had some nice rains to boot.

 

We packed a lunch and an ice chest, gathered maps cameras and stuff and were off . We made it over to the flea market and spent an hour or so finding some "bargains" , then I plotted a backcountry route on the map to get us down to the river area . It is really beautiful country over there . Penny and I were torn when we considered moving to Arkansas , trying to decide whether to move to Harrison or Mountain Home . Harrison is closer to the Buffalo River but is also much more heavily used by tourists in the area . Mountain Home is farther off the beaten path (the nearest interstate is 135 miles away) , but is right in between Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals , with the White River connecting them . Ultimately we chose the Mountain Home area , and although we miss our family being nearby to visit , we very much love our new home .... especially the wildlife. Just before I sat down to write this blog entry , Penny and I were quietly sitting on our front porch watching the bats come out for the evening to feed on bugs. Just then , a deer came wandering down the street , crossed over my neighbors driveway , then ambled over into a meadow to graze. Penny and I just sat and watched , and enjoyed our wildlife show and thought to ourselves how fortunate we are to live in this area .

 

I downloaded some pictures off the internet of the Boxley Valley area and also added a few pictures of my daughters Ashley and Candice from a camping trip we took to Lost Valley which is right in the same area . That was a good time . We look forward to seeing our children and grandchildren soon , as they can get a chance to come and visit our new home !

 

 

A map of the Boxley Valley area . My very first trip to the Ozarks when I was a teenager , was to Lost Valley Campground and the trail and cave at the end ... I was HOOKED !!

 

Early morning always finds fog along the Buffalo River area ....

 

Boxley Valley is known for the Elk herds that have multiplied in recent years ....

 

There are lots of old cabins and structures still standing from a bygone era ....

 

Candice & Ashley on the trail going up to Eden Falls Cave ... Lost Valley area

The mouth of the cave ... They were so excited to explore it !

Nothing like a wet muddy cave to bring on a smile ...

A view looking out of the mouth of the cave , down the valley which forms Clark Creek and flows thru Lost Valley Camp.

In the wet months the cave has a nice fall flowing from the mouth . Ashley was quite the explorer !

Summertime in the Ozarks ........

Summertime is in full swing here in North Arkansas , our home. My pastime of hiking on nearby trails has been put on hold as temps get into the 90's a lot now . I still long to get out and enjoy the area , so we spent a day last weekend riding around some of the back roads near the White River and also posing as tourists and visiting the Gaston visitor center located next to the dam of Bull Shoals lake , 2 miles from our house.

 

My work is going pretty well , and I continue to unwind the stress layers that had so tightly choked me from my last few jobs I had in Texas . Everywhere you go around here , the scenery is stunning and the wildlife is always nearby for the viewing .

 Y'all come see us !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A view of the White river a few miles downstream from the dam ... maybe 5 or 6 miles from home as the crow flies.

 

The river water is COLD .... there are many trout docks and guide services to cater to the tourists that visit the area for its excellent trout fishery.

 

I've got to GET OUT ....  it's to cold for my old feet !

Next time I come down here I'm going to bring a thermometer .

 

Another view upstream from the road that runs along the rivers edge.

 

I'm still thinking about getting a Jeep Wrangler ..... my Ranger has to do for now ....

 

It has been real dry up here lately ... trying to save the shrubbery below our back deck area .

 

I'm not a real good gardener ..... but I have been collecting enough tomatoes and peppers to meet my needs.

 

We still see deer almost daily in our yard or up and down the nearby roads . It makes my day to see them in the morning before I go to work .

 

This is who greets you as you walk into the Gaston Visitor center ... a black bear that was taken by a hunter in 2007 in this county . A lot of the black bears in this part of the country are actually brown in color or "cinnamon" bears . I haven't seen one in the wild .... YET  !

 

For those who are map challenged ... this is where we live !

A Decade .........



 



Decades ......

 

 

Decade ...... a word which describes a period of ten years . An average person is given by God six or seven of these periods of time on this earth to enjoy what to enjoy what he has made . Some are taken early , while some are given the gift of nine or ten decades of life.                                                                               

 

As I count down the days until the end of my fourth decade , I am fully aware of the place I am in the timeline of life . On May 31, 2013 Penny and I will celebrate our first decade of marriage together . I have received many blessings in my fourth decade , but by far my biggest , best blessing was meeting and then marrying Penny. She has been my constant companion , my best friend and a devoted wife , which I had been searching for in my life. Her strong faith in God watered my small seed of faith that was planted years earlier by my Grandmother , Jackie Cogburn . She encourages me when I am feeling sorry for myself , and rejoices with me during the good times. Her heart is pure , and a more devoted wife a man could not ask for .

 

Other blessings we have received in my fourth decade , where the birth of our five grandchildren , Daniel , Joseph , Keli , Landon and Alexis. Also during the last decade , we have become debt free through hard work and frugal living.

 

My hope and prayer going forward , is that Penny and I will get to enjoy 4 or 5 more happy "decades" of marriage , and that our children and grandchildren should prosper and live well .

 

Happy 10th anniversary to my wife ..... I Love You !

 

 

These are some pictures I recently discovered from our honeymoon trip in Eureka Springs , Arkansas that we had not ever scanned and put on the computer .

 

Enjoy !

 



 

 

 

Penny on a raised sidewalk in Eureka Springs , AR

Penny LOVES flea markets and trinket shops !

Clint tries to blend in with the locals ....

Penny .... CAUGHT! Leaving a BIKER BAR !

Clint .... waiting patiently :)

Penny ...with her latest  FIND ......

We rented this cabin near Jasper , AR .... Buffalo River area

Look .... no gray hair ....amazing what ten years does to you

My lovely wife

Clint demonstrates his brute strength ......

Deep thought .........

Penny poses for the camera ...

Penny ..... "Horsing around"  while waiting for the trolley bus ...

A Quick Outing

 

Hawksbill Crag in Boone County Arkansas

   Well , I have been working for the better part of a month now , and our bank account seems to be stabilizing , which is a good thing. My job is at a small equipment rental company , and we currently have only 3 employees. It is a big change of pace from the mind blowing pace I was working this time last year at the John Deere dealership in Texas . Of course , the pay is about 1/3 less , but I'd much rather earn less take home pay and be able to not be stressed out every day . I still have my moments when I long to be out on the trails , but I can still do some hiking on my days off.
    Penny has been suffering from a bad case of poison ivy , which apparently she got while walking around with me on the lower part of our property. She has been miserable with the itching and sores , and I pray she will soon be free from her misery . I may have ruined her from ever going trekking with me in the woods . I hope not , I do really enjoy her company .... it is a great place to talk .

  Penny could tell I was bored today , and gave me permission to leave her in misery , and go do something outside. We have been having a really cool spring this year (haven't hit 90 yet!) and I decided to try out some local trails , even though it is a holiday weekend. I started down the Dogwood trail , made it about 1/4 mile and the bugs were really bad , and I noticed that the poison ivy was everywhere along the sides of the trail . I didn't want to take a chance of bringing home a fresh batch of poison , so I aborted that trail and drove on over to the White river park about 2 miles from home. I donned my pack and hiking staff , and went up the Big Bluff trail , to the overlook , which is a stunning view of the Bull Shoals Dam tailwater area and the White River . There were quite a few river boats drift fishing for trout , and I saw a group of kayakers heading downstream at a slow pace , enjoying the day .

    I always feel better if I can spend some time in the woods , if only just an hour or two .... it's like resetting a clock or something .

 John Muir , the founder on the National Park systems once said

" In every walk with Nature , one receives far more than he seeks"

    That is the way it is with me .... I always see something that leaves me in awe , and makes me glad I took the time and spent the effort huffing up a hillside , to get to that wonderful vista , or just to see a deer romping through the woods. Life is short .... live well !

A visit from Family

 

  



   Last week we had a visit from my uncle Rod Cogburn . It was great to see him and my other uncle Denny , who lives nearby in Yellville , AR .  We all met up down at a resort near the White River and had a great meal and spent several hours catching up with each others lives.

  

   My uncle Rod brought me two large envelopes containing all kinds of family history of my Grandparents , Lee (Levi) and Jackie Cogburn . I really enjoy going through all of the old records and photos that my grandmother Jackie painstakingly put together in her later years of life . These are a few of the photos that were in the envelopes , and I scanned them into my collection of other old Cogburn photos that I received from my Dad , Charles , after he passed in 2009 . Here are some of the ones I received from Rod .

 

 

My Grandmother Jackie , with my Uncle Rod ... age 3 months in Arkansas .

My Grandfather Lee , age 33 , horsing around on a bicycle in Los Angeles , CA

Lee , Jackie and son Rodney , age 2 , Little Rock Arkansas

Jackie , Rod, my Dad Charles , Lee and Denny on a picnic in Little Rock . Where were all the child safety seats going to fit in that pickup truck ??

My uncle Denny (left) and Rod  . They must have been up to something .... look at those grins .

Denny & Rod play in snow at the farm near Round Mountain , Arkansas

 

Drink your Ovaltine boys ..........

 

Denny and Rod with trusty pet dogs , at Round Mountain , near Conway Arkansas .

Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks !!!

Employed Again ........

  Well , my free wheeling days of camping , hiking , and life of leisure have been temporarily halted by full time employment . I landed a job with a small equipment rental company located in Mountain Home , about 13 miles from our home in Lakeview. The pay is a lot less than I was making in Texas , but is on par with what is normal for around here , and it will stop the steady drain on our savings account that has been taking place since we moved up here in December . It is a small business with only 4 employees total , so I am lucky to find work , and the stress level should be much less than my previous job .
   I have had very mixed emotional feelings when returning to work . It is similar to when we used to come up here on vacations , and then have to head back to our jobs in Texas . It is hard to explain , but I think most of you know that feeling in your stomach . Penny and I have had a really GREAT time off for the past few months , and it is very hard to leave in the morning to go off to work . It isn't that I am jealous she isn't working yet , it is just that I am used to being with her all the time for the last few months , and for now that is over .  My mind wanders and thinks forward to the day when we are financially able to quit working , or retire , and we can enjoy our lives again like we have these past few months. I try to keep things in perspective , by noting all the many blessings that GOD has laid in our laps , that many other couples have not received. We are VERY blessed to have been able to move to this beautiful area and have several months off to settle in and explore and enjoy our new home. Still , though , I look forward to the day when I will no longer have to live my life beholden to the clock on the wall ...... telling me when to get up , eat , work and sleep . I hope that day comes while I am still physically able to enjoy some of the activities I have been doing lately. Penny and I drove down to the state park down the road , and hiked the Big Bluff trail (1.75 mi) this afternoon , and it was great . The weather is unusually cold (we had snow this week!) and we didn't see anyone on the trail as we were hiking , so that was great . I love having the woods to ourselves , and Penny and I can walk along and talk about all the things that are on our minds . I'm still in awe by the fantastic scenery we have located just 2 miles from our home . Even though I am now working , I'm
going to try and get out there and enjoy the countryside as much as I can ....... that is why we moved up here .