Headed East: Birds Beaks & Fern Gullies

6/15

Ozark, to my surprise, was only an hour away. I was greeted by a lovely woman, her comfy home, and her sweetie pie of a dog. We immediately immersed ourselves in conversation, and I felt again, right at home.

I slept wonderfully last night and now sit on her back patio, listening to the song of the birds. She has chickens, 2 gardens, flowers everywhere, and bird feeders galore, making me feel wonderfully content that I chose this to be where I lay my head for the next couple of days.

~*~

I was off on my first adventure of the day. My phone told me to turn left and led me along a bumpy, loose graveled, mountain road. Phone are you sure about this? I have to admit, I almost turned around several times. Would my car survive this adventure? Was this trail worth it!? But five miles later, as I gazed out at the mountain vista atop rock ledges galore, I was grateful I had stuck it out. Whitaker Point's reviews, I would positively add to any day.

The ledges, rock formations, valley views, Hawk’s Bill Crag, and a couple getting engaged immersed in the vista's panoramic beauty, made the five mile mountain road return back to the main highway, not so bad on the way back out. I was too busy smiling and thinking about the blessing of the afternoon to care anymore. My car thumped and bumped away on that mountain road, and I thanked her for being a trooper for my adventurous soul.

Once safely back on the main road, I set my sights for Magnolia Falls. After 30 minutes, I turned once more down a mountain gravel road. Oh goodness. Here we go again.

Grateful it was short, I almost missed the trail. But after a turn around, thinking I had just driven all this way for nothing, a tree opening led my eyes to the Arkansas diamonds nailed to tree trunks that marked the state's trail paths. Yes! I had found it! I packed my fanny pack, and hit the path.

For a moment, I contemplated the fact that I was in the boonies, parked on a gravel road, walking alone on a secluded trail in the Ozark Mountains. The movie Deliverance came to mind, as I began to think maybe I am crazy out here all alone. Was that a pig I just heard?

But, two miles later, the hidden gem of Magnolia Falls, made me once again relax into my solitude among the forest.

She flowed beautifully into a small gorge created by years of cascading water. The cliff overhang, the moss hanging off the edges, the light blue hue of the pool she poured into, beckoned me to strip off my clothes and jump in. It wasn’t freezing, but chilly enough to relax my whole body as I listened to the water come down, and took in the mossy rocks and cliff side ferns that surrounded me. It would have been perfect for a picnic and to just sit and sketch the moment to life into my journal. I loved my little fern gully surprise. But, in my solitude and the day’s slow departure, I thought it best to hit the trail back to my car.

The endless views continued on my way back to Ozark, as my phone app led me down country roads all the way back to 40. Arkansas you truly are magical, and I am so blessed to be experiencing you.