Calico Rock

View of Delft

 In 1660-1661, a painter by the name of Johannes Vermeer painted a masterpiece, known as the View of Delft. Cityscapes were uncommon during this period, and Vermeer's ability to capture motion and detail and freeze the moment by his hand was remarkable.

At a passing glance, the View of Delft simply looks like a generally good painting, at least to an untrained eye as I have. Upon deeper investigation, you can get a sense of the community, the town's trade income, the sophistication and talent of the local masons, as well as the class and culture of the people of Delft. My visit to Calico Rock was much like this painting.

Calico Rock consists of roughly 1500 residents. A small dot on the map, it remains a thoroughfare for weekend and holiday vacationers going to Norfork Lake, as well as a main crossroads between Batesville, Mountain Home, Norfork, and Mountain View. 

As a traveler passing through, one might miss the opportunity to unearth a fantastic example of a historic trade town of the southern Ozarks. I took a walk through the nostalgic ghost town section of Calico Rock and then found my way along the Main Street antique shops, cafe, and museum. To my delight, I found that Calico Rock is rich in history. Given some time, I peeled back the history and aura of this small town, page by page, reliving the early 1900's.

To read more in depth into the history of Calico Rock, visit EncyclopediaOfArkansas.net

We were casing out the bank for a possible heist! I wonder if it still holds legal tender?

Looking through a shop window across from the museum!

Rush, AR - Second Visit

As promised, I returned to Rush, AR to see what kind of history I could dig up. Like I said before, the drive down is gorgeous but steep, a true taste of the Ozark's design.

Traveling through the long lost community of Rush, I realized the expanse of the community and learned that there are several outlying communities within the Rush area. A distance that is a modern day three minute car hop was clearly not as easy of a task for those in the early 1900's. With difficult terrain and steep grades, I'm amazed that anyone could access the areas even by horse and wagon. 

I was saddened to see that pets aren't allowed on the trails, as I take my Black Lab, Shadow, with me on every adventure. However, it's understandable that owners may precariously try to retrieve animals amid the ruins and mines.

I took the trail towards the Monte Cristo Mine, and quickly realized that just like the sign warns, the trail is a buddy system trail. The trail is rather uneven, and summer time vacationers should watch for snakes. With no phone reception and the difficulty of the trail, an exit would be difficult if an accident occurred. However, this didn't stop my imagination from getting lost in the aura of the trail. Once you travel a few yards, you feel you are immediately stepping back one hundred years in time.  My vivid imagination was whispering in my ear, clearly expecting an old time mountain man to come out with two barrels facing me down!

 

I wasn't able to complete the trail before having to turn back, but I enjoyed every minute of the visit! With two creeks emptying into the Buffalo River, a camping area for tent campers, and walking trails that will take you one hundred years back, I will be back with my good friend, Ben, and finish a complete review of Rush, AR! 

Snow Access - Crooked Creek

As you may have guessed by now, I have spent a lot of time in Yellville the past couple months. I work security across North East Arkansas and I enjoy getting to explore my surroundings when I'm not working during the day.

I work during the night, getting off at 6:00 in the morning. Snow Access has become a favorite camping spot due to it being well maintained, but not excessively used. Snow Access has enough room for 4 or 5 free "one night only" camping spots.

I'm looking forward to canoeing Crooked Creek! The water is rather clear and blue and seems to carry a decent current.

  

Don't Fold it Back Again!

If I were lost in the woods, I would be happy to have a map. If I were lost in the woods and could find a long lost tribe to give me directions... I'd be even happier!

Are you lost in the woods when it comes to your next travel escape?! Don't unfold that map, just simply go to the Interactive Map provided via Arkansas.com! Or even better!! Contact Us for our beta version customized Travel Guide - It's FREE.

Yes, "F.R.E.E, that spells free..." Well, you know the rest.

Rush, Arkansas - The Forgotten Metropolis

Having traveled to Yellville several times in the past month, home of the brand new Black Sheep Joe's restaurant, I haven't had the opportunity to drive south 15-20 minutes and visit the ghost town of Rush, AR.

If you aren't from the Ozarks, the drive from Yellville to Rush is a great example of the Ozarks' scenery and Arkansas' strategic road designs. You will follow the dips and turns for about 10 minutes and suddenly realize you are riding a mountain ridge where you will catch a glimpse of the large valley in which Rush is nestled. Turning east on County Rd 635 from Hwy 14, I wasn't expecting the rapid descent required to access the valley. (Caution: Perform a brake check and lower your gearing if you're pulling a camper trailer.)

The sign reads the following about Rush, AR:

"The Ghost Town of Rush stands as a mute testimony to the activities of a bygone era. Zinc carbonate ore was discovered in this valley in the late 1880's and the "rush" was on. Soon the hillsides were dotted with mines sprouting coloful names such as Morning Star, White Eagle, Monte Cristo, Red Cloud, Buelah, MacIntosh, Edith, and Yellow Rose. The population of the valley rose and fell with the demands of the zinc market. The peak came during the period of 1914-1917 when more than 5,000 people were said to have lived and worked here. At the end of World War I the bottom fell out of the zinc market and mines were abandoned. Those buildings date from the early 1900's and were inhabited until the 1960's, serving as homes and a general store and a post office". 

My visit was short lived, but I plan to visit again soon!

Here is a great read on a mine shaft I intend to investigate and see if it is still accessible! Click Here: UndergroundOzarks.com

Hiking Tour Guide - Click Here: Rush Online Brochure

Yellville, AR - Blacksheep Joe's

Introducing the brand new Blacksheep Joe's Smokehouse and Grill! Situated on the west side of Yellville, AR, it's a great stop for weary travelers crossing northern Arkansas. 

With a condiment bar and refreshment station, you're sure to make your meal exactly right every time!