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Question:

Are trumpeter swans in Heber Springs now (December, 2011)?

Answer:

Hi Pat! Every winter trumpeter swans migrate to Magness Lake. They can usually be seen from late November until the end of February. The swans are best seen in the mid afternoon to dusk hours. This is when they are actually on the lake. Before making a trip there, I'd call the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce ( 501.362.2444) to check if the swans are there. The are a beautiful sight! They are solid white and their wingspans can get up to 8-feet. Normally trumpeter swans live in the Midwest, Alaska, etc but never as far as Arkansas. For some reason the group that migrates to Heber Springs is the exception to this- and they return every year.

 

Question:

I want to take my extended family on a gentle river tubing, canoeing, etc. trip over 3 to 4 days. Need campsite set up, meals, lodging (near or at river), and campfire. Please help. Want to do this Spring/Summer/early fall 2012. P.S. This trip includes 10 month old grandson, very well behaved and watched.

Answer:

Hi Oliver! I am happy to hear of your trip plans.  For a detailed overview on rivers in the state, please check out this link:  http://www.arkansas.com/outdoors/canoeing-rafting-kayaking/waterways/
 
It gives information on specific characteristics of various rivers found here ( locator maps, access points, descriptions of the river, services available, scenery, seasons, etc) and can help you as you research which area of the state you might want to visit. The pages also include  information such as links to an outfitter's directory that highlights outfitters that can help with what you are looking for in regards to campfire set up, meals, lodging, etc. The trip sounds wonderful so please keep up posted how it goes!  

 

Question:

Is the foliage still pretty this week or did the storms mess it up? TY

Answer:

Hi Barb--Thanks for your note--We are in the midst of a storm system today ( Nov. 8) so we won't know how it affects the foliage until after it passes through. Be sure to check out the next fall foliage report which is scheduled for Nov. 10.
Here is a link to the reports: http://www.arkansas.com/fall-foliage/fall-update/
Thanks again! Zoie 

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Zoie Clift
Timberlands, Ouachitas

The Mississippi River Trail

February 3, 2010 12:00 AM
Zoie Clift
travelarkansas@gmail.com
 
10 states. 1 River. The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is a bicycling route that travels from the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Delta at the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. It is a 3,000-mile system of bicycle-friendly roads and multi-use pathways that connects 10 states, the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans, and hundreds of smaller towns along the way. The Arkansas section of the trail currently traverses Delta country and more routes are being planned. Bob Robinson recently wrote a guidebook for the trail that provides route information broken into 100 mile segments. For more details on the trail and the guidebook visit www.mississippirivertrail.org.
 

 

 

 

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GREAT TRAIL
Entry By: Mark
Date: 2/4/2010
Each state segment has lots to offer - fantastic experience in the heart of the United States. I have biked approximately 20% and look forward to much much more. Thanks for starting this blog.
MRT
Entry By: Zoie Clift
Date: 2/5/2010
Thanks Mark! It's definitely a great trail. There is a scouting ride taking place in April that is going to scope out using Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway as a new MRT route. So it looks like we will soon have more MRT miles to ride.
TN and AR Partners
Entry By: Bill
Date: 2/5/2010
The MRT route between St. Louis and Memphis has been on the IL, KY, TN side primarily but the intent is to develop an AR route down to Memphis. Aoie is correct that the Crowley Ridge Scenic Route will be scouted to incorporate into the MRT during a supported ride 4/11-16. The MRT, Inc will be posting more on their website soon. I'm signed up for the ride and really looking forward to Ridin' the Ridge.
Entry By: Aaron
Date: 4/21/2010
Does anyone know how the ride went?