Roads without bridges.....

Today I did something different, I'm off tonight and with this being the first Sunday off since I started the new job I took advantage of the weather and took Susan, Lucas and Sam for a Jeep ride.
Google Map of todays Journey.

The road there is only passable when dry anymore and then you never know when the Arkansas sand and silt is going to give way under your tires.
Its more of an ATV trail now, but its close enough to the road to walk in if you choose.

At 24 years old the old Jeep XJ is more Utility than Sport anymore, but it is reliable as a swiss watch and capable as most anything you could by new today.
193.000 miles on the clock, but the engine has only 130k on it. It takes us out and home again.

That is Springfield Bridge in the background, built in 1876 and was condemned around 1980, it is the oldest bridge in the state. Bow String Arch design. Before it was built people would have to travel several miles upstream towards Mallettown and fjord the creek there if the water wasn't to high.

Lucas my Daredevil he didn't let the rotten timbers bother him a bit. He was more than happy to pose for pictures.

Lucas and Sam. Sam was scared of the missing timbers and needed the coaching of his brother to get up there.

I wish there was money in the county budgets to restore this piece of history before the next flood washes it down stream. The embankment is washing away under the bridge and only six to eight feet from the bridge foundation blocks.

This ancient Cypress tree, use to be the anchor point for the bridge  on the East side of the creek. There was an old 1" cable run around this tree to keep the floods from sending the bridge down stream.

Something you don't see much, they must've hit Oil instead of Gas and they're steadily pumping it out I guess. 

Heres our first fjord, on Lone Pine Road. It was deeper than I thought on that end. 

I actually thought I might have to use the 4x4 mode, it started to spin on the rock bottom. 

Freshly washed wheels and undercarriage. 

Old buildings like this intrigue me, I love the use of natural stone and the history. This is on Center School road. The Methodist proselytized this area in the 1800's and early 1900's and this the typical design of their churches and they served as schools too. 

Just past the Church the view is beautiful. 

This leads us down the mountain to Cow Ford Road. 

 We found a local Swimming hole and you know kids, they had to have time to play. 

That water was COLD and DEEP.

 

Sam had to play too. 

After the swim break.... 

White Oak Mountain Overlook picnic area. 

Just a little Ozark Mountains waterfall on Dare Creek. 

From up at the overlook, we decided it wasn't to far to Mt Magazine, highest point in the state of Arkansas. 

So off we went, and I took a detour that cut 20 miles off but involved roads that would remind you of Deliverence and Banjos playing. 

We circle around and come up the south side of Mt Magazine. 

Looking south over the Petit Jean River Valley. Pictures can not do it justice. 

The Cloud cover and haze washed the bits of spring color that is there. 

These are looking to the north off Mt Magazine..... 

I wish it was clearer weather out. 

This is the Hang Glider Launch off the south side of Mt Magazine, it is a very long ways straight down from here. 

No one was flying today. 

Next on out trip was Petit Jean to see the view and stop and stop at a friends for a visit. 

West end of Petit Jean looking north. 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and my little narrative.