War Eagle

Photo by Chris Duffy . . . . . a working mill on the War Eagle River

For many years my sister Alice went to an annual art show in Arkansas called War Eagle where, along with many other artists, she sold her art work. I used to help her do some of her art shows if they were in the city where I lived, but I never got to go to the War Eagle show, so I could only imagine in my mind  what it must look like listening to her talk about her experiences there. Finally, though, I saw the place I'd heard so much about on our recent trip into Northwest Arkansas.  It wasn't at all what I had pictured in my mind, but that's OK, because it was actually much better.  This wonderful old mill sits on the river and is still used to grind flour and corn meal.

Photo by Chris Duffy . . . . . a working mill on the War Eagle River

Although I like the composition of the first picture better, you can't really see the paddle wheel in it.  It was mesmerizing watching it being turned by the force of the water.  What a wonderful setting for an art show. 

Hiking And More Hiking

Photo by Chris Duffy . . . click on picture, then the F-11 Key to see a larger image. 

This is the picture I was taking when my sister Alice took her picture of me which is on her blog.  That's also right about the same time she started begging me not to go any farther.  I would have liked to go out just a few feet more to get a view over the edge, but it was obviously scaring her a lot, so I was content with getting this picture.  We were out on this trail and obviously far away from any other hikers, but we kept hearing faint voices.  We couldn't for the life of us figure out where they were coming from, and then a helmeted head popped up from over the edge.  It was a group of rock climbers and the "helmet" was dealing with the rope between himself and a female climber somewhere below him. 

Photo by Chris Duffy . . . click on picture, then the F-11 Key to see a larger image. 

The first photo was of Mt. Magazine and the one just above is Alice hiking on Mt. Nebo.  We averaged somewhere around 2 or 2 1/2 miles of some pretty steep hiking each day.  And amazingly so, Alice's toe and my knee actually seemed to thrive under all that pressure.  My physical therapist for my knee was pleasantly surprised at how much progress I'd made while being on vacation and hiking almost non stop.  Does that mean I don't need him anymore?  That's what I thought too.

Photo by Chris Duffy . . . click on picture, then the F-11 Key to see a larger image. 

And here is a shot taken at Mt. Petit Jean, which I think is the prettiest of the three mountains.  We thouroughly enjoyed doing the all three mountains and it brought back memories of when we were little kids and our folks had taken us to Nebo and Petit Jean. . 

 

On the Road Again

Photo and enhancement by Chris Duffy . . . Click on picture, then the F11 key to see a larger image.

This is one of the views my sister and I saw today on top of Mt. Nebo a few miles from Russellville, Arkansas.  We had a marvelous day and spent a couple hours on the trails of Mt. Nebo.  Good exercise.  I think we'll sleep well tonight. 

P.S. Alice's pinky toe is doing well.

Photographer and mountain unknown.

This is going to be the L O N G E S T   D A Y.  You see, tomorrow my sister and I start our vacation.  I can't wait for today to be over.  I know, I KNOW; I'm wishing my life away.  Shame on me, but I'm so excited about our vacation.  It's not that we're going any place really spectacular, like England or New Zealand or even the Grand Canyon.  We're going to Arkansas and we think we'll have a ball.  We enjoy each others company so much and we both LOVE taking pictures with our digital cameras.  I suppose we got that bug from our father who was an avid amateur photographer.  I really think he'd love the digital cameras if he were still here.  But I digress.

We're going to be visiting the Northwest quadrant of Arkansas; the Arkansas travel books call that the Ozark Mountain area.  That's where we'll be for a whole week.  Driving, walking, hiking and stopping any time either of us thinks something looks like a good "photo opportunity". I'm sure in the weeks and months ahead you'll all get a goodly dose of Arkansas via Xanga.