We spent our last days in Arkansas at Petite Jean State Park. They offer Yurt rentals! We are excited about the idea of a Yurt, possibly to live in, even if just temporarily. We thought it would be fun and since it was close to Valentines day it was our Valentines gift to ourselves.
Cedar Falls
Before check in we did a few hikes. They don't have any that are particularly long. We did the Cedar falls trail, which ended at a beautiful waterfall, then did a shorter hike to Bear Cave. It had several HUGE boulders that you were not supposed to climb, but it was evident that everyone did, of course we did. At check in we found out we get a canoe with our rental! It happened to be 75 and gorgeous that day so we changed into our bathing suits and got on the water.
View from the Yurt
Canoe and the Yurt
The next day we hiked the Seven Hollows Trail. It was a beautiful 5 mile hike that included a natural bridge, grotto and turtle rocks (rocks that look like a turtle shell). I really loved the hollows, being surrounded by limestone rock on each side of you at least 50-60 feet high. There were many spots that looked like a good shelter. After our hike we packed up, checked out and headed south to Louisiana!
From inside the grotto
We went to a campground and I was a little surprised to find we were the only ones. We spent two days at this lovely campsite on the water when we learned why no one else was around. We read the signs wrong when we got there, the campground was closed for renovations. So that cut short our stay. We then headed all the way south, as far as we could go to the beach! I was a very happy Angie wearing flip flops in February. After several restful days on the beach we went to Lafayette.
Running at the campground the day before heading to the beach
We woke up on the beach, it was a bit windy so we drove a little while to a wildlife refuge to make and eat breakfast while listening to the sing songs of red winged black birds. On our drive to Lafayette we stopped to pick up four hitchhikers. Two humans and there two 3 month old puppies. We talked for the entire hour and a half drive sharing traveling stories. We dropped them off with hugs and well wishes.
Sunset (gorgeous evening watching Dolphins, pelicans, seagulls and least terns)
Our first stop in Lafayette was to the Vermilionville Historic Village. It is a living history museum with people demonstrating various crafts. It was Sunday, and they just so happen to have live cajun music on Sunday from 1-4pm. As we sat in the parking lot eating our lunch and preparing to go in we met an older couple heading in. They were dressed up for dancing with Mardi gras colors. I distinctly remember the mans Mardi gras bead tie, very classy. We exchanged some friendly banter before they went in. We followed a little while behind and as we approached the entrance they came out and handed us two arm bands for entry. The gentleman said, "Welcome to the South!". I was touched by his friendliness and generosity. We explored the museum and danced a little to the cajun music in between. We learned a lot about the history of the melting pot that is Louisiana. I wondered why I didn't know more about this marvelous place sooner. I asked Matthew if he wanted to move to Louisiana, mainly joking. I am already in love with the culture here and the food! We savored our first boudin, followed by crawfish ettouffe pot pie and finished it off with a bananas foster bread pudding. We shared everything and still couldn't finish the dessert. We went to bed with happy bellies and happy hearts.
Only photo I took that day
Tomorrow is Mardi Gras... I may or may not report on that day, I like to keep some things to myself, hehe
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