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01-22-2009, 10:30 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1998 25' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
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From Austin to Arkansas, Need Some Help.
I am lookin' at taking the family to Arkansas this spring and was hoping for some suggestions. The crew will consist of myself, the general (wife), 3 year old daughter, 8 month old son, 5 year old dog. Can anyone recommend a fun route to Arkansas from Austin, TX? We are very active and are up for any sort of activity that can keep a 3 year old happy. Also, if anyone has tips for travelling with the children, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Danny
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01-22-2009, 12:15 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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What sort of things are you planning in Arkansas. I lived between Wimberley and Driftwood for many years. I have made the trip with a variety of routes.
__________________
Vaughan
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01-22-2009, 12:51 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Currently Looking...
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyo
I am lookin' at taking the family to Arkansas this spring and was hoping for some suggestions. The crew will consist of myself, the general (wife), 3 year old daughter, 8 month old son, 5 year old dog. Can anyone recommend a fun route to Arkansas from Austin, TX? We are very active and are up for any sort of activity that can keep a 3 year old happy. Also, if anyone has tips for travelling with the children, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Danny
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Hot springs is nice and the KOA is one of the best in the nation. You can also dig for diamonds here: Crater of Diamonds State Park Arkansas - keep what you find in this finders keepers diamond mine
Nice camp ground a Crater of Dianmonds.
__________________
Jim N5TJZ Air# 174
2012 International Serenity 28
2005 Safari 25 SS Traded
1968 Globetrotter Sold
2011 F150 Ecoboost
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01-22-2009, 01:00 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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Hot Springs is a good destination. There is also camping at Mount Magazine State Park ( Camping in Arkansas : Mount Magazine - Arkansas State Park) There are also a lodge and cabins.
__________________
Vaughan
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01-22-2009, 03:04 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1998 25' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
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I know we love to be outdoors. I'm a flyfisher, rock climber, mountain biker, runner, hiker, etc. She loves to hike. I think we would prefer to stay in state parks, but we would be open to any suggestions. If there are any points of interest anyone can recommend, that would be great. We are in the infancy of planning this trip, so all suggestions are welcome. Anything....great Louisiana eats, music, fishing, campgrounds, hikes, balls of yarn, things for the kids. I am really just unfamiliar with that direction from Texas. Thanks.
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01-22-2009, 03:18 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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Go here Arkansas Tour Guide - State Parks Guide - Arkansas Adventure Guide and have them send you a vacation planning guide. There are also many things to do in Little Rock/North Little Rock (2 different cities on different shores) another capitol city on a river. Lots of running and bike paths that include the Big Dam Bridge - Pulaski County Arkansas. Also other stuff to do downtown, but not like Austin.
For fly fishing, consider the north part of Arkansas, specifically the Buffalo, Little Red, and White Rivers. The world record Brown Trout was caught in the Little Red in 1992 Enormous Trout.
Let me know what you decide.
__________________
Vaughan
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01-22-2009, 03:19 PM
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#7
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1 Rivet Member
2007 19' Safari SE
shreveport
, Louisiana
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
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Crater of Diamonds is great for a three year old. Lake Greeson is only a few miles away with great camping and a swimming area with a beach. The lake has several campgrounds, oak creek would be closer to the mine. It does not have water hookups. Great peaceful place.
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01-22-2009, 04:13 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1998 25' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
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vswingfield, first off, that is a pig of a trout! i know a lot of people that fish those rivers. i would love to wet a line, but sometimes family vacations make it tough to squeeze it in. thank you everyone for your suggestions, keep 'em coming. i need to google the crater of diamonds.
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01-22-2009, 04:46 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1966 26' Overlander
Tulsa
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 22
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Visit Arkansas State Parks – Arkansas Tourism – state parks . We have had great luck with state parks in Arkansas. I live in Northwest Arkansas and could give you hundreds of suggestions in this area. Let me know what you are looking for and I will try to help.
As for traveling with kids, I have six and I have traveled all over with them. My only advice is have patience, they will grow up someday. : )
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01-22-2009, 10:10 PM
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#10
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Anyone willin' to take ridgerunner as their handle; s' from Ar-Kan-Saw, gots six kids, well, . . . you needn't read no further in this thread for advice. You already heard it.
(now to find me a reeeeaal soft landing with one a' them ol' smiley faces). Ones that got that you-know-what-eatin'-grin.
I liked Mt. Nebo, across from Russellville, in the fall, in a cabin, with a fireplace, with a girlfriend, a long time back.
(Man, if the bigger boys had given me that handle I might not made it alive out of fifth grade. Glad times have changed).
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01-23-2009, 06:58 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1998 25' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
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Rednax, you lived in CC long? I grew up there and my folks still live there.
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01-23-2009, 06:59 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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Nebo is beautiful, but the switchbacks on the road up have the potential for difficulty with a trailer. Fun with a sports car, though. I grew up near there.
__________________
Vaughan
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03-01-2009, 10:41 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
1998 25' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
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So, vswingfield, I got my packet from Arkansas State Parks and it is a really well put togething packet. We are definitely looking at Crater of Diamonds, Little Rock and Mount Magazine. I think we will be gone for 8 days, which has me trying to fill a nice itinerary that will keep everyone entertained. I have 2 questions:
1. Are there any special/cool/funky landmarks to see on the way....world's biggest pike, ball of yarn, etc?
2. Is there anything special in Louisiana that ya'll could recommend (New Orleans just doesn't seem like it would be good for us).
Thanks again.
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03-02-2009, 07:15 AM
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#14
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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Eureka Springs
I go to Eureka Springs each Labor Day to play banjo. I like to go up through the beautiful mountains in eastern Oklahoma. Here's my route:
I-35 to Waco.
TX 31 all the way to Tyler, bypassing Athens
Bypass Tyler and head north to Mount Pleasant.
We like the KOA at Mount Pleasant. It is a good day's drive (320 miles) and the folks there are nice. Walking distance to Applebees and other food.
From Mount Pleasant, east on I-30 to US 259. North on 259
Just inside the OK border, there is about 15 miles of crappy road, but the balance of the route is excellent road. The mountains north of Broken Bow are beautiful. Stop at 3 Sticks on top of the mountain for a great view.
We usually stop at Poteau for lunch. Then over OK 112 to the Fort Smith area. There, you can catch a scenic and lightly-used interstate to Fayetteville. We sometimes stop at a KOA near Fort Smith.
Lots of great state parks in OK and Arkansas.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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03-02-2009, 07:22 AM
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#15
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyo
We are definitely looking at Crater of Diamonds, Little Rock and Mount Magazine.
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There is a COE park just east of Little Rock that is real nice. It is on a penninsula with each site on the water. Half-price for us oldies, to boot.
The Clinton Library is worth a visit.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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03-02-2009, 08:01 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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one of my favorites....including the drive
I'd kind of like the trip from Austin up 281 toward the Ft. Worth area. You cant help but like the small towns along the way and lack of traffic. Stop by Hico and argue about the real Billy the Kid. then for the kids.... TPWD: Dinosaur Valley State Park
Circle over to DFW area for Six Flags (make that a day trip.) You can stay at either Hickory Creek Park of Lake Ray Roberts Park. Then its only a 40 minute trip to Six Flags. You will like the Parks...the kids Six Flags. Then up to Lake Texoma....many parks to choose from. Into South East Oklahoma...and take Skyline drive for a scenic trip. Then over to my favorite... Queen Wilhelmina - Arkansas State Park in the Ouachita Mountains along the Talimena scenic drive
Your on you own up in Ark. Just watch the roads...they are CURVEY.
On your way back cruise thru East Texas. Caddo Lake near Shreveport will amaze you. Fishing Lake O' the Pines
TPWD: Caddo Lake State Park
You need more time...plan another trip.
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03-02-2009, 08:41 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
1973 23' Safari
LULING
, Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 84
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How about Albert Pike. It's very close to Little Missouri Falls, and Winding Stair Case. Both beautiful sites to see. Winding Stairs is about a two mile hike. I go there every year. It's an hour away from Hot Springs too.
Aaron
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03-02-2009, 12:18 PM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 494
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Mt. Flushmore
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pahaska
The Clinton Library is worth a visit.
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Yep
I'd like to dump my black tank in the lobby.
It could only improve the place.
__________________
__________________________
____ d'drummer ____
...aahh..rumm..pu..tum..tummm...
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03-02-2009, 05:11 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1983 34' Excella
1967 24' Tradewind
Little Rock
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,825
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Route Plans
Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyo
So, vswingfield, I got my packet from Arkansas State Parks and it is a really well put togething packet. We are definitely looking at Crater of Diamonds, Little Rock and Mount Magazine. I think we will be gone for 8 days, which has me trying to fill a nice itinerary that will keep everyone entertained. I have 2 questions:
1. Are there any special/cool/funky landmarks to see on the way....world's biggest pike, ball of yarn, etc?
2. Is there anything special in Louisiana that ya'll could recommend (New Orleans just doesn't seem like it would be good for us).
Thanks again.
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When you visit Mount Magazine, consider going up one side and down the other. What order are you planning on making the visits? Crater of Diamonds on the way up, north to Mount Magazine, then east to Little Rock? Vice versa? If you visit Little Rock last you will have all Interstates on your way back home when you are most likely to be in a rush.
I can suggest some shortcuts on the off Interstate parts, just let me know. Be sure to contact me while you are in Little Rock, I would like to visit.
I’ve already mentioned the Big Dam Bridge in Little Rock, but another unusual thing near Mount Magazine is Subiaco Abbey on AR Highway 22. (See Subiaco Abbey and Academy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) It’s like a European cathedral located in a very small Arkansas town. If you take the north route to or from Mount Magazine through Paris, my home town, you will pass right by it.
__________________
Vaughan
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03-08-2009, 03:10 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
1998 25' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
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Well, VS, I hadn't given direction much thought yet; however, going from Crater of Diamonds to Mount Magazine makes sense. We will definitely be going to Little Rock, so I'll give you a shout. What is there to do in Hot Springs? From everything I've read, it really doesn't seem all that exciting. The Abbey looks like it could be really neat. Also, any cool breweries around there? I just can't wait to hit the road and go to the Natural State. One thing I am trying to avoid is returning the same way I went. I would like to form a loop of some sort if at all possible. Leaving Austin, going thru LA, AR, OK. Thanks again for the input, everyone.
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