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!
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