Stay a Week

I've been researching the benefits of the week long vacation vs. the weekend getaway.  This because I've noticed an increase in bookings for families who are taking the time to rest and reconnect.  As a child, my dad took off the last week in July and the first week of August without fail. One week was set aside for working around the house and doing projects during the day with night time treats around town like going miniature golfing, out to eat at a restaurant, or a drive-in movie; the other week he took the family on vacation somewhere.  We camped mostly, but occasionally my parents rented a cottage.

Corporations are now encouraging their employees to take time off because they see an increase in productivity.  Vacation time always translates to happier employees! If the family shares experiences outside of their normal routines of work & school, and the experiences are active (like fishing, hiking, canoeing or even cooking together) the benefits are even greater.

As we get to know our annual customers and watch their families grow through marriages and births, the trend is for grandma and grandpa to rent the big lodge and invite their children, grandchildren, and sometimes even great-grandchildren to come and go as they are able over the duration of their 7 day stay. They become the patriarchal host & hostess and set-up house for their extended family.

When you come to the river for a week, the pressure for good weather is removed. Let it rain a day or two; who cares?  All your "fun eggs" don't have to be in one day's basket.

Finally, we do offer discounts for week long stays and if you rent a boat each day of your vacation with us, we will give you one day of boat rental free.

Magic on the Upper Buffalo River

The Buffalo River is quietly celebrated as one of the most magical places in America.  I say quietly, because there seems to be a conflict among those who know how to get there: share with the world in awestruck wonder, or keep it all to themselves? With minimal pain or fuss, the amateur explorer can access lush forests, dramatic rocky bluffs & delicate waterfalls all within an afternoon.  And then there's the herd of 700+ elk roaming placidly through the valley, undisturbed by the frantic attention of tourists and nature lovers who travel from all over to see them. 

Taking advantage of an office slow-down, and following maps found in one of Tim Ernst's many Buffalo River guide books, we've been venturing out in the past few weeks to this section of the river, for hiking, caving and elk-watching. If you want to duplicate any of these activities? Now's the time. 

Freshly turning leaves and painfully blue skies had me compulsively snapping pictures - take a look and give us a call so we can help you plan your trip to the Upper Buffalo! Click the titles for trail maps!

PONCA, AR
Home to a herd of 700+ Rocky Mountain Elk.

Two Bull Elk lazily grazing. 

The best time to see full herds like this is either early morning or sundown.

Usually you don't even have to look for elk-
just keep your eyes peeled for rows of stopped cars...

HAWKSBILL CRAG / WHITTAKER POINT HIKE
For all its fame as one of the most recognizable landmarks in Arkansas, you have to drive 6 miles (yes, six) on an unmarked gravel road just to reach the trailhead. I was sure my non-4-wheel-drive sedan was about to plummet off a bluff at every turn.

Hawksbill Crag is one of the most photographed locations in Arkansas. 

The most romantic place in Arkansas? Ask the dozens and dozens
of couples who've gotten engaged here over the years.

If you come in the spring, you can see waterfalls along the trail to the bluff. 

The trail claims to be 3 miles roundtrip. While we had no trouble getting out there. we DID  struggle to find the return loop and wound up well into the National Forest facing a sign that read
"You are hiking the wrong way". 

LOST VALLEY TRAIL
Home to the most popular hiking trail in the state of Arkansas- and for good reason.

I exited Lost Valley asking-
"Can you believe all that is back there?"

Rocky bluffs rising right out of the
hardwood American Beech forest. 

Inside the unnamed underground cave at the end of the trail-
in the spring this cave houses an accessible waterfall some 50 feet back.
 It's a tight squeeze. Bring flashlights. 

At the base of Eden Falls.

Outside the mouth of "Cobb Cave" a large bluff shelter
similar to the Indian Rockhouse on the Lower Buffalo. 

Clark Creek, mostly dry in October, flows out through Eden Valley Cave
in a loop on the middle of the trail.

Hike to the Cross

IF YOU DON"T HIKE THE MOUNTAIN YOU CAN"T SEE THE VIEW

I have posted various times about the old rugged cross that overlooks Buffalo City from the top of the bluff that rises straight up from the opposite bank of the White River across from the resort. We have an article in the office that gives the history of it back to the mid-30's. Many customers make an annual trek to the top at some point during their stay, and now people come from all over just to be ferried across the river so they can climb and find the geocache hidden somewhere up there.

On Leap Day- when the high winds came through- the cross disappeared from view and we didn't know for certain whether it had blown down or blown away. Many people stopped into the office to express concern that the cross "was missing". We made arrangements with our church youth group to hike to the top and assess what needed to be done to ensure the cross would again take up its post, but before they managed to plan it, two anonymous hikers re-erected it just in time for Easter.
Next time you are headed to the resort, make you sure you look for it from the road because once you arrive, you'll be too close to see it unless you do the hike.