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Question:

Any word on if and when Albert Pike might reopen? Are the trails open yet?

Answer:

Hi Jack--Thanks for your note. Albert Pike Recreation Area is still closed until further notice. We will keep everyone posted with information as it becomes available. In the meantime, here are some updates we have.  
 
Some roads that were closed in wake of the flood are now being opened according to Ouachita National Forest officials.  Roads now open include Roads 73 and 106, as well as Road 2106 which is open from Highways 369 to the trailer turnaround, but closed to vehicular traffic from the trailer turnaround to Viles Branch trailhead.  
 
The Winding Stair Trailhead has also been reopened. A portion of the Little Missouri Trail remains closed from Road 512 to road 106 by Albert Pike Campground.  Hikers can detour around the closed section by hiking east on Road 512, south on Road 73 and west on Road 106.  Also the Viles Branch Trailhead on Forest Road 2106 and the southern Athens Big Fork Trailhead on B23F are accessible by foot or horse travel only.  Hope this help~
 

 

Question:

I am wanting to start over in life, and would like to do so in Arkansas. What areas of the state are best situated wtih regards to jobs and economy.

Answer:

Thanks for your note Lamar. Check out www.relocatetoarkansas.com for more details on moving to Arkansas. Good luck with everything~

 

Question:

I want to learn how to hand glide and I live in Arkansas. (Little Rock) How do I get started from here?

Answer:


Thanks for your question Michael. I asked local hang glider Mike Kelsey about getting started in the sport and here is what he said: We currently do not have an active Hang Glider instructor in Arkansas. Many of our most recent new pilots have obtained their training out of state. This inputs some extra time and travel but not going to one the many certified training centers is definitely not recommended.  Self teaching or getting instructions from someone who is not a Certified Instructor through the United States HangGliding/Paragliding Association is not a good way to start.  Finding a good school will save you money and or injury in avoiding unnecessary
accidents.

Go to www.ushpa.aero to find a list of certified instructors.  A certified Instructor will have passed an instructors course through the USHPA and will be able to provide all equipment and instructional materials.I do recommend the facility at the Lookout Mountain Flight Park in
Georgia, as well as the Facility in Lawton Oklahoma.

www.sky2glide.com- Blue Sky in Lawton, Oklahoma
www.hangglide.com- Lookout Mountain, Georgia

I am not up to date as far as the cost to learn but usually they can get you into a two rating in about 4-7 days of training. Todays schools use a variety of training tools. Videos, Simulators,
Dual Flight instruction, Aero Towing, Scooter Towing and Foot launching.

Also available and a bit closer is a certified Paraglider instructor. We now have about an equal number of pilots flying Paragliders as those that fly Hang Gliders.  We are able to share most of the launch sites that are flown in the Ouachita Mountains.

Check with Ron Kohn (Certified Instructor) if you have any interest in checking out Paragliding.  www.okparagliding.com.  He can even provide you with a tandem paraglider flight off of one of the local mountains to let you get a taste of the air.

To see what is currently going on as far as hang gliding and paragliding in the Ouachita Mountains, check out www.ouachitahanggliding.com.

I also suggest that you visit one of the local flying site some weekend to watch some of the hang gliding going on. There are also Fly-ins scheduled at Mount Nebo and Mount Magazine.
http://www.centralarkansasmountainpilots.org/html/calendar.html

Motorcycle H.O.G. Rally in Hot Springs Starts Tomorrow

July 28, 2010 12:00 AM
Zoie Clift
 
If you are into motorcycles, Hot Springs is the place to be tomorrow (July 29). The State H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Rally starts then- the 31st.  The event is returning to the city after a two year absence. I wrote about this event earlier this month but wanted to cover it again just in case.  
 
As to the lineup, an Early Bird Party is set for Thursday night at Lander’s Harley-Davidson and will feature Dayton Waters, a 12-string guitarist, singer, and songwriter.

There will also be stunt riding including a performance by Tony Levesque, King Tony. Levesque has traveled the world showcasing his riding skills. He will be in the parking area behind the convention center riding on Friday and Saturday 11-2 and at 5.

Friday afternoon is a parade that will start and finish from behind Summit Arena. That night the arena, which is next door to the Arkansas Rally Headquarters, will host Creedence Again, a CCR and John Fogerty tribute band. There will be a bike show on Saturday at the parking deck across from Bath House Row. That night, three bands will play in the Triple Threat Tour: BlackHawk, Restless Heart, and Little Texas. Throughout the weekend there will be opportunities to ride roads through the Ouachita National Forest.  More details can be found by calling 479-890-6241 or clicking here .  Quick note, the online registration deadline for the rally has passed but you can still register on-site at the rally. 

A complete schedule can be found here. 

 
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