Toltec Mounds and Plantation Agricultural Museum

This week's trip will highlight the fact that I'm a nerd.  I traveled to Scott, AR which is just outside of Little Rock.  This was my first visit to Scott but I must say it has some beautiful farm country.  Not too far off the interstate you will find the Plantation Agricultural Museum this museum highlights the cotton industry.  The museum itself is an old 1912 brick building which is very cool also on the property you can tour the Dortch Gin Building and the Seed Warehouse #5.  Walking through the last two buildings in this heat really makes you appreciate being able to work in air conditioned buildings.

Next stop was the Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park, also located in Scott, AR.  Located here you will find Arkansas' tallest American Indian mounds.  Three mounds are still visible today these mounds were formed  by what archaeologists have named the Plum Bayou tribe.  The mounds were built between 700 A.D and 1000 A.D. very little is known about this tribe, here a few pictures of the mounds and the surrounding area.  http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/toltecmounds/

Hot Springs Mountain Trail

This week I decided to go back to one of my favorite places Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Today was a beautiful day in Arkansas but it was HOT!!!

Hot Springs Mountain Trail is a great trail system that runs up the Hot Springs Mountain and down to Bathhouse Row.  I hiked several trails today here are some shots from another great day outdoors.

I started  my hike on the Grand Promenade it's a beautiful brick paved walkway that overlooks Central Ave.

I hiked up Hot Springs Mountain to the overlook tower, I was disappointed to find that it cost $7 to go up to the top of the tower I opted to walk across the street and take pictures of the natural overlook.

After this I took several winding trails around and down the mountain here are some pics.

After walking in the heat I am ready for long soak in the bath tub.

Lake Catherine State Park

It's been awhile since I posted and there has been some big changes in our lives.  For those of you that don't know Brandon is going to school in Michigan for a year.  He started classes in April and is scheduled to graduate in February 2013.  I have stayed in Arkansas, it has been different living on my own but I'm trying to make the best of it.  To keep myself entertained I've been trying to take "field trips" on the weekends and travel around the state, most of the time I find things to do for free or low cost.  It dawned on me that these adventures would be a perfect blog topic this way I can share parts of the beautiful state of Arkansas with my friends and family that have not visited.  I'm going to start with my trip this weekend and on the weekends I decide to stay home I'll post some of my previous adventures.  

I recently have picked up the hiking bug so far the state parks I have visited have been free so I only have to pay for the gas it takes to get to these little gems.  This week I visited Lake Catherine State Park and completed the Dam Mountain Trail it is 4 1/2 mile and is rated "moderate."  http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/things-to-do/trails/search.aspx?parkid=2&parkView=true

It was a beautiful trail the first half was very rocky and once I crossed the "waterfall" (we're a little dry here in AR right now) it turned into a beautiful hike through pine/hardwood forest.  My reward for making it to the top of the mountain was a very close encounter with a deer.  The hike ended walking alongside the lake which always makes for beautiful pictures.  I would like to warn you that the pictures I have were taken with my phone as I currently do not have a digital camera.  

Until next week....

Hello 2012

Well it's a new year, full of new inspirations and resolutions.  I've never been a big fan of the New Year's resolution hype my thought is if you want to change something do it now.  With that being said I have however, decided to use the 1/1 date to introduce some new things into my life.  Don't worry I'm not going to bore you with my goals I'm only going to share one that I think you may enjoy.

I call it "The Decluttering of the Winters' Home 2012."  This month I have taken to decluttering and organizing under my sinks you know what I'm talking about that place where we throw cleaning supplies, rags, bug spray and pretty much anything else we don't know what to do with.  Today I finished under my kitchen sink.

Here is what the mess looked like before:

A complete mess, every time I needed something out of there I knocked stuff over or I couldn't find what I was looking for.  I headed to Big Lots and for a grand total of $7 and some change I ended up with:

I can now find what I'm looking for and pick something up without creating a domino reaction, it makes me so happy.  I even sat on the floor admiring it for a few minutes lol.

I hope to continue my decluttering and organizing and continue to share with you throughout the year.  If you have any ideas please share!

HELLO 2012!