Day One-Hundred-Twenty-One to One-Hundred-Twenty-Eight - A Summer of Bluegrass, Camping and Friends - Tuesday 8/27/2024 - Tuesday 9/3/2024

Tuesday August 27th it is sunny and 68° at 7:00 am for my 240th walk of 2024. It's my last walk at Seven Points Recreation Area. Today, we moved toward Memphis. We are both ready to move. Yesterday was a long day of being inside because of the three digit heat!

We only have 120 miles to go today, so we waited until almost 10am to depart. We are following the route the caravan will take, but we are traveling west and the caravan will be traveling east. 

We arrived at Parkers Crossroads RV Park. The RV Park was opened in the mid-70's and opened as a KOA. You will notice that as soon as you arrive since the office building has the traditional A-Frame look that most KOA's have. Of course, at that time RVing was totally different than it is now. Most of the sites were designed for pop-up campers, tents, and smaller units. Now most sites are big enough for 70' plus. The Park is situated on 18+ acres of Tennessee rolling hills. Although the campground is located in Parkers Crossroads, an incorporated city, since it is a mile and half from the Interstate they are actually surrounded by cattle farms and farmland.

The afternoon was another hot one! So, we had a few errands to run. Including getting Charlie some more Captain Morgan, before we get to the dry county in Arkansas! We headed to a liquor store in Lexington, the town south of Parker's Crossroads. We also decided to treat ourselves to dinner in an air conditioned place. There are not many "sit down" restaurants in Lexington. We picked the Baja Grill. Well, it is Taco Tuesday! We enjoyed their happy hour margaritas, fresh salsa, pico de gallo, nachos, and tacos. I had the Blackened Shrimp Taco topped with zesty Baja sauce, tortilla strips, corn salsa, lettuce, Monterey Jack cheese & a lime garnish. Charlie went more traditional with the Ground Beef Taco. He did live on the edge and left the pico de gallo on top!

Would you like to know more about the great Parkers Crossroads Civil War Battle that took place Early December, 1862? This battle was fought between Confederate General John C. Pemberton and Union General Jeremiah C Sullivan based out of Jackson, TN. General Pemberton came up from Vicksburg, MS to sever the Union railroad and communications links in West Tennessee in order to prevent the Union’s attempt to surround Vicksburg. 

The battle was fought over several days and was fought between both cavalry and Southern artillery. The battles included several well-known generals of the day including General Forrest of the South. The final battles in the Parker Crossroads area were led by Forrest who had to fight his way out of two Union forces that were threatening to surround him. Forrest had been on the verge of defeating the Union forces when Colonel Fuller’s Ohio Brigade arrived. Forrest finally was able to withdraw his forces to MS by crossing the Tennessee River at Clifton, TN.

August 28th brought a sunny morning and 68° at 7:00 am. It was 74° by 8:00 am on my 241st walk of 2024. I walked the path at Parker's Crossroads battlefield. But my thoughts were on unexpected beauty. It's all around us, you just have to look for it!

We moved to Tom Sawyer campground in West Memphis today. On our way, we were passed by a large oversized load. 

We crossed into Arkansas by crossing the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is the second longest river in North America, flowing 2,350 miles from its source at Lake Itasca through the center of the continental United States to the Gulf of Mexico. The Missouri River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, is about 100 miles longer.

I love the murals is West Memphis Arkansas!

We arrived at Tom Sawyer with a front row view of the mighty Mississippi!

Everyone that has camped here love to watch the barge traffic. I have to agree, it is pretty cool! 

We had to make a run into Graceland Campground, to be sure we are all set. Shania put my mind at ease. She had everything set and ready to go! Too bad, her last day is before our caravan arrives!

We ran into friends that are camped there for a week. We have not seen Ken & Ginny Yelland since January!

On Thursday August 29th, I woke at 6:30 am to see the sunrise over the Mississippi. It's a bit cloudy, but it's still beautiful for my 242nd walk of 2024. My first walk in Arkansas. I walked the roads in Tom Sawyer campground. 

Seeing all the reflections, I spent time reflecting.

This morning we met a man that is kayaking the Mississippi. He began his journey in Lake Itasca, at the headwaters to the Mississippi. He beached his kayak on the shoreline and walked into town for a few groceries. 

We saw him washing off his shoes at a site earlier, but did not give it much thought. On his way back, he stopped and we talked to him. 

What an adventure he is having!

An other great day of relaxing and watching the barges!

On Friday August 30th, it was my 243rd walk of 2024. It was my last walk at Tom Sawyer campground. I got up at 6:30 am to see my last sunrise over the Mississippi. God did not disappoint today, breathtaking. 

We did not have to leave too early, so we were able to see a few more barges. The biggest one yet, came by this morning. The tug was pushing 30 barges!

We drove to Mountain View. The most heartwarming thing we saw along the way was a bunch of farmers working together. There is no way, that one farmer owns all these tractors. It has to be an effort to assist neighbors!

Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks is the small town of Mountain View, long known for its love and preservation of folk music and a true sense of community.  For me, it resembles a modern-day Mayberry.  The heart of the town is the court square and from early spring to late fall, musicians and pickers gather to play folk music, enjoy fellowship and meet new friends.

Saturday August 31st was my first walk in Mountain View, it is such a peaceful place! It was my 244th walk of 2024. It was a great morning to reflect on my journey of change.

Great Saturday night of bluegrass and folk music in Mountain View. We opted for the Club Possum in the Meeting Place. It's a small indoor venue close to the courthouse square and picker's park. We enjoyed the harmonies of a family bluegrass band from Missouri.

Then we walked to listen to the pickers in the park tonight. We walked past the music in front of the courthouse and it was just too loud for us!

Only complaint is that the line for ice cream was way toooooo long! Maybe tomorrow...

Sunday is the best day to walk and talk to God! September 1st was my 245th walk of 2024. It was overcast and very humid at 7:30 am. I walked to the city park in Mountain View and did a few laps around their paved walking paths.

There is an awesome barber in Mountain View! Charlie was able to get a haircut on Sunday after church! Distinguished Cuts by Terry, is the place! Terry came in in Sunday and he even had another customer contact him while he was there to come in for a cut. Talk about customer service! We learned he is also retired military and a generally great guy! I loved his stand!

We enjoyed ice cream first and then settled in for music. 

Charlie and I opted for the "plugged in" music tonight. We are enjoying our Labor Day weekend in Mountain View AR. We are enjoying the music on the square. It's literally in front of the Stone County Courthouse. Greg Prince and Sugar Creek have not disappointed! They are on their second great set! The mayor of Mountain View even sat in on a few songs on the harmonica!

Monday, September 2nd, Happy Labor Day. Today is a celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. I thought about growing up in a Union family. I remember my folks walking the picket lines, my Dad working at night to make extra money during strikes, and I remember standing in the food lines during those lean times. We have so much to be thankful for! It was my 246th walk of 2024. It was sunny at 7:00 am. I walked to the Stone County Courthouse.

Today, we took a drive on a new route that Sheryl wanted us to check out to get from Branson to Mountain View. It was part of the Ozark Scenic Highway. That word "Scenic" should have said it all. Even in the car, Charlie barely hit 40 miles per hour and to say there were curves, that is an understatement. I think the curves had curves! We did venture into another county and the town of Fifty-Six. How did this town get it's name? When founding the community in 1918, locals submitted the name "Newcomb" for the settlement. This request was rejected, and the federal government internally named the community for its school district number (56). 

Sneak peak at the band tonight in front of the Stone County Courthouse. Their set starts at 7pm.

 

There are colorful folks in these here parts!

Tuesday, September 3rd, it was a brisk 60° for my 247th walk of 2024. I discovered the Mountain View Stone Amphitheater. What a beautifully peaceful place.

Back in the 1950s, Mountain View was very isolated and the town’s people realized that something unique was needed to attract tourists to their little community, to keep it alive.  The 1960s and early 1970s brought about paved roads, the first Arkansas Folk Festival in 1963 and the building of the Stone Amphitheater in the City Park. 

While Mountain View still attracts thousands of visitors each year with their festivals, Blanchard Caverns and the Ozark Folk Center, the Stone Amphitheater is a treasure right in the heart of the city. Tucked away in the rich forests of Ozarks, the builders truly chose a magnificent backdrop for the Stone Amphitheater. 

I stumbled upon the amphitheater.  It is tucked just a short distance down a path next to the paved 1/2 mile walking track in the city park on Webb Street.   A small stream gently meanders underneath a picture perfect arched stone bridge.  If you are looking for a beautiful backdrop for photos with a natural setting, this is truly perfection. 

During the rainy season under the bridge is a waterfall. If you follow the creek you will find yourself at the Ozark Folk Center State Park.  The creek separates the amphitheater into two parts, the grand stone stage and the beautiful stone seating area.  In such a peaceful setting the music would have struck your inner core. It is fitting that stones were used to build the walkways, seating, walls and stairs; this is Stone County after all.  Looking at all the rock work, I can’t help but think of all the time and care that was invested to ensure each and every stone was placed perfectly. 

The amphitheater is truly a tranquil location to simply enjoy nature. When in Mountain View, be sure to find your way deep into the city park and you might just hear the music the stones have to share. 

We departed Mountain View leisurely and made our way to Branson, Table Rock State Park. We followed the caravan route in reverse, with no issues. We stopped at a potential rest stop and enjoyed the view!

Sometime when we are passing through, we will make the turn into downtown Harrison and check out the murals. You know I am a sucker for a good outdoor mural or two!

Our site is along the walking path, I am one happy walker!!

It was a spectacular sunset, but could not get a great shot with all the trees!

Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures