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Over the River…

This wknds blog will be a blast from the past (mainly because it’s too cold to get out with the camera). I’m trying to think *warm* here so my mind wanders back to a Summer a few years back when we took our niece on her first camping trip. Our daughter went away to church camp for the wknd so we went away too..to the Buffalo River in Arkansas.

It was the Summer the southern states saw such a horrible drought. We went, hoping to see a specific waterfall close to the campground but found it almost completely dry. A disappointment yes, but the hiking was great and so was the river. AND we saw our first *Batcave*.

We chose Lost Valley Campground as our destination. The campground wasn’t crowded at all and the sites were spaced well apart. We had to cross a dry creek bed to get to our campsite and goofy me wore leather sandals. I quickly stubbed my toes in the rocks and still have trouble with that toe to this day. grr

Campsite

Campsite behind the dry creek bed

7_12_2006_6_51_37_AM_0051

My niece Shea, son Kris and I posing on the trail to Eden Falls.(dry)

BatCave

Jamie & Kris at the entrance to the BatCave. We found out about the cave thanks to a local at the swimming hole. The cave has been used for everything from a saltpeter mine during the civil war to a hideout for bandits in the 1920’s. When bats are present, the cave is closed. Luckily the bats had left for the season and we were able to get in.

Bat

We just *thought* the cave was empty! We found 1 bat still perched alone the ceiling of the cave. Once the kids noticed him, they took off for the cave opening. lol

BatCave2

The gate surrounding the cave’s entrance.

Buffalo River

The Buffalo River..just a breathtaking piece of God’s handiwork, laid back in the hills of Arkansas.

Buffalo Scenic

The bluffs that make the Buffalo famous. Notice how low this area looks. I can imagine how beautiful it must be when the water level is just right.

Deer

A deer running under the bluffs @ the Steel Creek Access Point

Cob Cave

The view looking OUT of Cob Cave, along the Eden Falls Trail

Cob Cave2

And the view looking IN Cob Cave..I think I recognize those rednecks.

SwimmingHole

The *swimming hole* at the Ponca Access Point of the Buffalo River

Rednecks

All in all, our niece enjoyed her first camping trip despite the dry falls but there was one thing that she reminds us of to this day. NEVER leave the camp food out even if you feel like you’ll be back by dusk. Our batcave adventure kept us longer than expected and we came back after dark to find raccoons enjoying what was left of the makings for our smores!  They even returned during the night for seconds and tried biting through the cooler.

9 comments:

Jayne said...

Oh, how lovely to click on a blog and see... GREEN! :c) I've never been a campy girl, but looks like it was a grand adventure.

Terry's Tete-a-tete said...

What a lovely place. The pictures are just beautiful. It looks so peaceful and I can just imagine camping there.

Out on the prairie said...

Your 1st river shot looks spetacular.I bet at high waters it would be a good one to canoe/kayak.I like to explore the dry creekbeds, you may find some hidden treasures.

Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce said...

Nice pictures. This is a great place to live and photograph. We moved here six years ago. You might be interested in my website, http://arkansaswildlifephotography.com, it is for photographers to help plan visits and photo shoots.

Hope you can come down again.

Tracy said...

Ahh, Beautiful! Yes, we need WARM! so tired of winter already; pretty sad, isn't it?

Kimmy, I love the batcave but I don't think I'd step foot in it; not a creepy crawly kind of girl; ugh...

JennyD said...

I'm playing blog walk catch up today and Kimmy, I don't ever remember seeing this trip's photos! WOW, what a sight! I'm especially taken with the bat cave pictures and the info about it. Fascinating! Have to say, too, that little dip in the river looked awfully good. Now I'm counting days to warmer weather, too :D
XOXOXO

Unknown said...

An interesting blog, Kimmy, thank you for sharing it. God Bless - Nita

Unknown said...

TY all for your comments! It is truly a beautiful place. I've been trying to get hubby to go back ever since. lol
Michael your photos are wonderful! Thank you for the link. I'll be a frequent visitor for sure. I would love to go back and see the elk. We heard the Boxley Bluffs were covered with elk but never saw a one.

Veronica said...

Hi, I have been to the batcave before but its been more than 5 years now and I do not remember how to get there. I dont remember have far away it is from Lost Valley Camp site. I keep thinking that is off the Buffalo River Trail. Is that correct?

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