This is one of the state parks on Crowley’s Ridge, a long, narrow ridge that cuts through the Arkansas Delta from the Missouri state line down to Helena. It’s a fairly large park, with two man-made lakes, a golf course, and the usual camping and picnic areas.
I asked the young woman who stamped my passport in the visitor center if stamping was part of her training. She said, “We spent an entire week just on this.” I told her I could tell she got an “A.” I also asked what short trails I could walk to earn my badge. She told me about two. I walked the Big Ben Trail first. It was a half-mile, mosquito infested loop near the visitor center. As I walked, I could hear a Louisiana Waterthrush, a Northern Parula, and Hooded, Kentucky, and Prothonotary Warblers. But when I finally spotted a bird that landed in a bush about 15 feet away from me, it was a Worm-eating Warbler!
Part of the trail runs down the center of an old road that was worn into the earth in horse and wagon days.
I also walked the Arboretum Trail, which was only about quarter mile out and back. It got its name from the seven or eight signs that give information about native trees and then ask a stupid question.
I drove to the two lakes. They’re both down in fairly steep valleys so there really isn’t much walkable shoreline. This is Lake Austell. It was muddy from the recent rains.
And this is the very similar looking Lake Dunn. I’m glad I made the effort to get to this one because there were two Chimney Swifts flying back and forth just above the surface, dipping down to drink on the wing. I’ve heard they did this, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen it before. Of course, my camera was in my car 100 yards away up a steep boat ramp.
Near the entrance there was a flagpole setup with the U.S. flag, the Arkansas state flat, the Confederate flag, and, I think, flags of France and Spain which once claimed Arkansas. There was also an explanation of what the current Arkansas flag means.
