A Trip to Arkansas

My kids and I went on a trip to Murfreesboro, Arkansas. We started out early in the morning before sunrise since we live in Northeast Mississippi. I chose to take Highway 82 West since it goes all the way across Mississippi, and into Arkansas. We also dropped off some computers at a friend's house in Winona, MS to be fixed while we were on our trip. What's fun about going on a trip like this is finding your way on a map, and seeing places you have never been. Not the Interstates...just regular State highways.

It is easy to recognize when one leaves the eastern half of Mississippi and descends into the Delta region. It is some of the flattest country there is... but beautiful. Farms, and fields full of corn and soybeans. But these farms aren't just your regular farms. You can see for miles, and the farm houses and barns are way off the highway. All I can think of is how wonderful it would be to live way out there with all that quiet and privacy, and stand outside and watch the sunrise and the sunset with nothing in the way. When you live in a closed-in place like we live in, wide open spaces look better than anything.

We ran into the usual thunderstorm as we crossed the Delta. It seems we cannot go on a trip without getting into some torrential rain. However, it was not too bad. I was glad that it ended so we did not have to cross the Mississippi River in the rain because we crossed the new River Bridge there. It is a huge cable bridge and it is an awesome view of that crooked, winding river. The kids always love crossing rivers.

Once we crossed the River, we were in Arkansas which we had only been in the edge of it before. As we continued on Highway 82, it winds around right beside the Mississippi River for a few miles, and you get a great view of the River in Lake Village, Arkansas. We stayed on Highway 82 until we got to El Dorado, Arkansas, where we got on Highway 7 to Camden, Arkansas. Once we were on Highway 278 West from Camden, it was slow driving. That highway is so curvy, you cannot go 55 unless you want to be down in a deep gully. Yes, if you go over there you will know what a gully is. Although it is that way, it is still a beautiful drive through some hills. This road also goes through Hope, AR, and then all the way to Nashville, AR, which is where one gets on Highway 27 to Murfreesboro, AR.

Now, I live in Amory, MS, which has some strange roads and streets, but Murfreesboro definitely has its share as well. We were to stay in the Old West Cabins there. So, we come to this sign right in the middle of the town which is right where the street divides...I know that sounds confusing, but it was kinda confusing. However, it is just one of those little things that make a town unique. We went "around" the buildings there and were on Highway 27 again, which went around to Highway 19 where the cabin was located.

When we turned off onto 19, there was a sign that said: "BRIDGE OUT" in two miles. Well, that's an unnerving sign, and I was not sure whether to keep going, or maybe we were supposed to go the other way, so I turned around and called to find out where the cabins were. We were early for check in any way. She said we would get to the cabins long before we got to the bridge that was out...so that was a relief since we were going down this narrow road. Lo and behold, we found the cabins. Ours was the "Church" cabin which had a bed for me and two sets of bunk beds for my kids. Since we could not check in yet, we went back down to Murfreesboro, and went into the gas station there where there was...gasp...Baskin Robbins. Well, we had to get a little ice cream. That made the waiting not so bad.

We got to check into the cabin thirty minutes before the actual check in time, and it was sure good to get out of the Avalanche, my truck. Although I love my truck and it gets such great gas mileage on a trip like this. This cabin was nice, but the lights were a bit too dim, although, I suppose that was to make it appear like we were in an old west cabin. There was a playground out there for the kids and a beautiful place to walk around.

My sister and her husband and four kids arrived later that day. We were all going to the Crater of Diamonds the next day to try our luck at finding a diamond.

The next morning, we were up early and went to breakfast. I figured when we all walked into "Em's Cafe", they must have thought the Marines had landed. They managed to put a table long enough together to seat us all, and we all ordered. If you like bacon, this place has the best bacon! However, their pancakes are very large and thick, and I'm not sure little ones know what to do with them.

After breakfast, we went to the Crater of Diamonds which was not all that hard to find. It was not at all what I expected. You would really have to have a lot of luck to find a diamond out there, and you have to rent equipment for a high price as well, after paying your entry fee.

When we left there, we went onto Highway 27 North that would take us to Hot Springs, AR. This is a beautiful highway. You may not think Arkansas has many hills, but it does. When you're up on top of one of them and looking across at the next one, it almost looks like it goes straight up, and it is up and down the whole way just about. Once we got to Hot Springs, we got on Highway 70 that would take us to Interstate 30 which would go to Little Rock.

There was highway construction going on Highway 70, and part of the time on this road, we had just the corner of the road to drive on. And there always has to be that driver who just is not paying attention, or they are not a very experienced driver. This one almost went off the road behind a dump truck which was going out into the construction area, I think, because they were following too closely behind the truck, and they almost ran into the dividers when they barely jerked their car over in time to get back into the lane of traffic.

Soon, we were at a point that we were completely stopped at an intersection. Well, this same car was sitting right in the middle of the intersection where people were trying to come out, but they just sat there although they had plenty of room to go either forward or back up to get out of the way. I don't know. I guess some folks are just not paying attention. I was so glad to get off that highway, but Interstate 30 was not much better, especially when we got close to Little Rock.

When we came to Interstate 530, I made a quick decision, and we were on our way to Pine Bluff, AR. This interstate was not quite so busy, and we were cruising on this one. However, the most beautiful highway I have ever seen is Highway 65 from Pine Bluff to Lake Village. It is the straightest, flattest, and most beautiful highway I have ever been on...and that's saying a lot after being on that beautiful Interstate 64 that crosses southern Indiana. Highway 65 is wide open farm land, and you can see for MILES. It's as far as you can see on both sides! This is what I call beauty.

We stopped that night in Dumas, Arkansas and ate at the Pizza Hut there, and it was great. Then we stayed the night in the Days Inn there which was a nice hotel and the lady at the front desk was very nice.

The next morning, we got our breakfast there at the McDonald's and got on our way home...still on that gorgeous Highway 65. Once we got back to Highway 82, it was all back across the State of Mississippi. It was not a long trip, but it was very enjoyable, and so beautiful as well.