Lake Fort Smith State Park

 June 5, 2023

For several years now when Hannah and Brayden get out of school for summer break we take a trip to Lake Fort Smith State Park. This year we reserved our favorite spot well in advance. Site #20 is secluded at the end of the lower loop which means that there are no neighbors on the awning side of the trailer and neighbors on the other side are separated by a good distance with lots of trees. John and Lynda joined us on this trip and stayed just down the road in site #11. 

We setup the tent on the lower terrace pad for Hannah and Brayden. Hannah came prepared to make the tent her own complete with bedspread and throw pillows. When night came around she lit the inside with her awesome LED lights. Brayden was relegated to sleep on the futon in the trailer with Nana and Pops the first night so she could enjoy her palace alone. This year the nighttime temperatures were pleasant in the mid 60's so we didn't take the window air conditioner. The box fan was all she need to stay comfortable.

The visitor's center is just a short bike ride away. My 25 year old Gary Fisher Tassajara still looks pretty good parked at the visitor center (you cant see the scrapes and dings I've put on it through the years at this distance). 

Brayden enjoys a heated game of Ono with Nana, but for him a camping trip wouldn't be complete without s'mores made with campfire roasted marshmallow even if it is 80 degrees outside.

For this trip I was able to secure a recreational drone permit from the state park. Tuesday morning I flew my drone over the day use area and at the visitor center overlook.  I love the perspective from the air. Click this link Lake Fort Smith State Park to open a YouTube video compilation of drone footage and still photos from around the park.

Wednesday we rented peddle boats from the marina. One for Brayden and I, one for Donna and Hannah and a third for John and Lynda. The boats had Bimini tops to keep the sun off while we peddled around the marina cove. Although no swimming is allowed Donna got in a little refreshing dip at the dock after doing the boat to dock splits.

Several days we got in the pool at the park to cool off. This usually lasted until the summer camp teens showed up by the van loads.

As always we ate good. We combined efforts with John and Lynda to feed the hungry hoard. One night we made our required pilgrimage to Mountainburg Pizza Den for pizza and wings.

John's Turkey Spaghetti

Hannah Sporting Her Swim Goggles

Coco and Chewy made the trip to the lake also.

The weather cooperated with mild temperatures for June and only a few light sprinkles of rain. Hannah had to be taken back to Mulberry to meet her mom and dad a day early for wisdom teeth extraction.

Waveland Park

It was time again for our annual trip to Waveland Park on Blue Mountain Lake. We had site #26 reserved for four weeknights. However, we made changes at the last minute due to the passing of a friend's son with funeral service planned for Tuesday. Donna remained in Russellville Monday and I took the trailer to Waveland to setup camp. I joined her back in Russellville early Tuesday morning and after the services we drove back to Waveland Park via Paris and Mount Magazine State Park. Saddened by the events of the week the trip made for a welcome distraction for us both.

Weather for the week was beautiful with sunny days and some windy conditions. Late on Thursday with reports of severe storms we packed up everything outside for a storm that never materialized.  We did get some light rain overnight that just made for good sleeping.

Blue Mountain Lake was as high as we had ever seen it. As tends to be the case, the Corp of Engineers failed to release enough water to prevent the flooding of roads and facilities in the lower part of the park. The normal spring pool level is stated by the COE to be around elevation 386'. When we arrived the level was at about 406'. The water had been so high just days before that the camp host said that the main road into the park had been shutdown. It appeared that water had been flowing over the spillway at some point. So the park will once again have to undergo significant repair.

We were high and dry at our campsite and didn't let the water levels run us off. Future trips may not include Waveland in the spring.

We have been enjoying the little remodel we did to our trailer. The U-dinette was removed and replaced with a table and chairs, then the worn out jackknife sofa was replaced with a longer (adult length) futon. The problem with replacing either was finding furniture that actually fit through the 26" wide trailer door.

I spent a good part of the morning on Thursday trying to find the Blue Mountain Lake Vista. I drove Petit Jean Mountain Road (this mountain is different from the state park miles to the east). The road was narrow gravel that went over Petit Jean Mountain at an elevation above 2400'. The road is the southern boundary of the Dry Creek Wilderness Area. Never found the Lake Vista, but I think I figured out that I needed to take Lovell Road from the east end as the west end is gated at private property.

Knowing that storms were forecast for Thursday night we made plans to go up to the Mount Magazine State Park lodge for dinner. When we left Waveland Park we looked up at Mount Magazine and could not see the top. Having been caught in the clouds on top before we changed plans and drove west on highway 10 to Boonville. Looking around Boonville we found Reid's Hometown Barbecue. I highly recommend their BBQ ribs and a fried pie for dessert (I had a chocolate pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream). 

Highway 10 East of Boonville

Returning to he campground we went up to the overlook for the requisite selfie. By this time the clouds had cleared and the sever storms had gone around us.

Site #26 was way to close to the neighboring site behind. I would not recommend site #26 or #28. It was less that 10' from our slide out to the neighbors fire pit. Also, two giant pine trees blocked the front side of our campsite. At least we had nice neighbors!