Lake Catherine State Park, Arkansas

We just returned from a much needed RV trip to Lake Catherine State Park in Arkansas. It's a pretty park about 15 minutes from Hot Springs.

This was the first trip in our new RV, and only the second time we've been RVing this year. Boy, were we ready!

Our quiet campsite.

The weather had cooled down to the lower 90's and was to remain that way throughout the trip. Woo-hoo!

An early morning view from 
our back bedroom window.
Tall, tall trees + me = Great Joy!

I love Arkansas State Parks!  

We've only been to two and were 
impressed with both for many reasons. 

Several of our friends have been to a few 
Ark Parks and they feel the same way.

A couple park roads where we 

walked the dogs each day (and us).

We met up with four 

other RV couples at the park.

When we camp together, 
sometimes we do things together 
and sometimes we don't.

Or 

Some of us go do things together 
and others don't.

It's a pretty laid back bunch.

Oftentimes, 

even when we don't start out the day
 together, we meet up somewhere 
like this scenic overlook in Hot Springs.

And The Ohio Club in downtown Hot Springs.

They have live music 7 nights a week.

It was daytime when we were there. 

We sat upstairs.

l-r, Carrie, Geo, Rick, Charlie, Sandy

It's a little hole in the wall
 with an interesting mobster background.

It's also Arkansas oldest bar. 

One evening, we all threw a 

surprise birthday party for Sandy.

Birthday Girl!

It was held in our RV.

We discovered that we were able 

to fit 10 people rather comfortably.

Of course, Miss Daisy Mae 

loved all the attention!

The next day, we rented a 

pontoon and cruised around the lake.

The temps were nice!

The shade came in handy though.
Joe, Linda & Me

Sandy & Linda

Carrie & Rick

Pretty houses dotted the banks.

The guys took turns at the helm.
Charlie used the casual steering method.

Joe employed a modern 
"Look Ma! No hands!" technique.

George was a fan of the 
smilin' while drivin' style.

And the lean forward and 
check it out form was Rick's favorite.

It's not a big lake but it 
was definitely a good time!

As you may have guessed, the entire trip was fun and we're ready to go somewhere again soon. Plans are in the works.

Until next time,
Smile On,
D~~~~

Daisy State Park, Arkansas~Part One

Last week, we traveled to beautiful Daisy State Park on Lake Greeson in Kirby, Arkansas which sits at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains where the trees are wonderfully tall and the leaves were in the midst of their gorgeous Autumn transformation.

I took this photo of the lovely 

view from the steps of our RV.

This picture too. 

That's Joe and Linda's rig next to us. 

The first morning we went on a 

pontoon coffee cruise around the lake.

Here's George and Kenneth

It started at 9:00 in the morning, and even though it was chilly, overcast, and a bit windy, it really wasn't too bad.  By the time the trip was over (a couple hours later), it was sunny and much warmer.

Linda, Joe, Tom

Rick and Carrie

We could see Rick and Carrie's RV up 

there in the trees as we cruised on by.
Can you see it?

The never ending stairs.

Can you see them leading up to this house?

Our tour guide said there are 474 steps because she climbed them and counted.  A cardiologist lives in the house at the top of the stairs which somehow seems appropriate with all those stairs available for heart healthy exercise!

Phyllis and Tom

Linda B. gazing at our path ahead.

George and Yours Truly

Chimney Rock which is full of graffiti art--

actually more like graffiti art lettering!

The Narrow Dam which was our destination.

I think it resembles an entrance to an old fort!

This was our sweet tour guide, a college student with a huge love for the outdoors.  She grew up in the area and was VERY knowledgeable about the Lake.

One story that she shared, and my favorite, was about a sandbar she showed us.  People frequently run up on it and get stuck.  She told us that she once rescued five grown men, all in blue Speed-O's, and joked that it scarred her for life.  Then, she added, "They were from Texas too!"  

I suggested that it was more likely they were really from Oklahoma and they just wanted to blame their misfortune (and probably their attire) on Texas.  Tee-hee!

She took a picture of our entire group after the pontoon tour ~ (l-r) Kenneth and Linda, Joe and Linda, Me and George, Carrie and Rick, Tom and Phyllis.

After the tour, we went for a hike with Linda and Joe, Kenneth and Linda, and our canine families.  After that, Phyllis, the two Linda's and I went into Hot Springs and did some shopping.  That night found us all sitting around a campfire visiting.  It was a really nice day!  I'll share the rest of the trip in my next post.

Wishing You Colorful Autumn Smiles,

D~~~~