The Parker-Hickman Homestead is located in the Buffalo River Wilderness Area. It is 1 mile west of Erbie Campground. It is very excessible, but is a dirt road. There are some low-water "bridges" to cross, so during high water, it would be hard to get to from the Erbie Campground site. This is a fascinating place to visit and gives a real slice of what life was like back in the homesteading time. The buildings are all open to walk through. The shot here is of the barn. If you want to get deep in to Arkansas, go here...

Fall at Petit Jean State Park

I've been to Petit Jean State Park so many times, I can't even remember, but you always find something new and beautiful to see. I started out in the early morning at Petit Jean's grave overlook area and then went to Bailey Lake and finally down the Pioneer Cabin trail to Cedar Creek. Cedar Creek has a life all its own and is an ever changing cycle of wonder. Fall brings great beauty to the creek, with breath taking reflections and the scatter of leaves in that water and along it's edge...If you love fall, you should visit this trail.

Fall in Arkansas

It's been a while since I last posted, but I have a good reason...I've been out exploring! Arkansas truly has one of the most spectacular falls of anyplace and this year was no exception. I started my journey in early October and haven't stopped until now to catch my breath, look at the many images and choose a few to share...I took around 2000 (give or take) shots and culled it down to my top 100 (actually 105, but who's counting). I hope you enjoy the few I'm posting here. The first location is Maplewood Cemetery in Harrison, Arkansas. The maple trees in downtown Harrison are spectacular and if you haven't seen Maplewood Cemetery in all it's splendor, you should go out of your way to do so. Make plans next year to see them..you won't be sorry. These shots where taken in early October, but this particular year, the peak was more toward mid-October.

Always Remember

It's been seven years since life changed. God knows we try to put it out of our minds, trudging through every day life. I've decided it's an impossible feat. I've decided that God does not want it put out of mind. We are to remember. We are always to have suttle or maybe not so suttle reminders everyday that our life is not our own. Sure, we all seem to think it is ours to do with as we please, but God knows better. Today, 9-11, is a day that will forever be a day for us to reconcile ourselves.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. Psalm 138:7

Petit Jean State Park Boy Scout Trail

Petit Jean State Park, centrally located in Arkansas, offers an abundance of things to do. My favorite is exploring the trails. The Boy Scout Trail starts at the Davies Stone Bridge by the group camping ground. This is a trail that is very easy at the beginning and has some spectacular scenery. It you are a novice and only go a little ways, you most certainly can. Or, you can take the whole trail...12miles. I like this trail when I don't have a lot of time, but still want to enjoy some nature time. During April, the water was running fast and furious down Cedar Creek. It was so loud, you couldn't hear anything but the rush of the water. There is a spot down the trail, after a wooden foot bridge where some boulders make for a great place for the water to flow. We stayed at that one location for at least an hour just listening to the water and taking pictures. One boulder in particular has a flat top...It lays right next to the creek and made for a great place to just lay down and enjoy. My sister taught me a little trick one time when we were in Washington state . Go to the edge of a cliff, or in this case the boulder and lay down and look over the side. It sounds crazy, but it does offer a totally different perspective and seems like you become one with the water. For those of you who are Tim Ernst fans, the geometric rock formation is the same rock formation he used for one of his new shots for his upcoming book. I took this way before I saw his picture of the same locale...It was neat to see though. Sometimes we photographers question why we shoot things sometimes. It is nice to have a sense of justification...I'm not the only soul out there that finds wonder in this scene! http://www.cloudland.net http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com