April 14th, Sunday 4 p.m Ouachita National Forest, forest road 788 off 122 west side of rt 7 arkansas.
I spent most of today driving through the southern trails around Lake Winona. not nearly as many campsites. most of the campsites were on forest road 132. Plenty of spots to pull a vehicle just off the road and go pitch a tent in the woods, but not many establish pull off spots on the road around the lake..
Heading back North, I hit one majorly gnarly section, coming up forest road rt 2. there was a toyota 4runner without a winch in front of me. They backed up. The washouts had taken out all the soil and gravel leaving large ruts of sharp rock. Coming the other way I saw a modded Jeep with 37” tires clear it, but his buddy behind him with 35’s got stuck. Glad I didn’t try, I only have 1 skid plate up front. I need one to cover my 4wd transmission box thing behind the front wheels.
On our side another vehicle showed up but this one had the works. winch and full skid armor underneath. So he was going to go down the crevasses after the 3 jeeps finished coming up. A tricked out Land Cruiser I think
I wussed out and looking at the topography and took a side road that was level but went around the small mt/hill. other than mud puddles. it was far, far easier. Saved me from having to double back out to rt 7. I was trying to avoid that road so I wouldn’t have to air up the tires just to drive 5 miles. So happy to have achieved that.
I may just air up before leaving camp tomorrow. the gravel roads are pretty smooth and I won’t be far from Hot Springs. My mission tomorrow, other than some hikes, is beer and pizza. looking online Hot Springs is the only national park with its own micro brewery. My kind of park!
if any of it’s good I’ll get a 4pack for the road. After a week of no beer, I miss my liquid bread while camping. it hits the spot like nothing else after biking a couple hours. And I do like the stronger beers, but I’m just a 1 and done kind of drinker. No interest in getting drunk. Too old for that.
Whelp. Tonight may be cowboy spaghetti. I’ve got left over chili to use up, and some spaghetti sauce too. We’re hitting the dregs of what’s in the mini cooler now, but it’s all good. Might make some hot cocoa tonight too, I’ve got half and half to use up.
oh and without the weboost I’d have no cell signal at all. with it I get 3 bars of LTE, but i have to have the puck figuratively taped to the back of my phone. Still worth it. I can get online and get more info about Hot Springs tomorrow. I thought about going today, but it’s Sunday, so I figure it might be less busy tomorrow. Doubtful, but I can hope.
rough plan for the return trek home
monday Hot Springs Nat Park exploration. find a camp site for Monday night back near Lake Sylvia (northeast corner of Ouachita).
Depending on how long I take in Hot Springs, I may overnight at the nearest CB on i40. The truck desperately needs a wash.
Tuesday, start driving back via i40. Probably stop for lunch at the memphis bbq place I found last time. Will skip the nashville chicken and just hit the buc-ee’s before I get on i81north.
Wednesday, drive up to northern Maryland to see Mark and Teresa. Will hang out with them Thursday if they have time
Friday drive home to Jacqui
Anyway, did a lot of driving today, here are some photos
