On the Caddo

My An Arkie's Faith column from the September 19, 2018, issue of The Mena Star.

Our area was forecast to receive two to four inches of rain. My son-in-law is an avid river rafter and was excited to see the possibility of a good rainfall. He made plans to visit over the weekend so that he could go rafting. Thursday came and went without any significant rainfall. Friday had very little rain. Friday afternoon he drove up from Louisiana with a rubber raft and an inflatable kayak. He was hoping for enough rainfall on Saturday to be able to go rafting on Sunday.

On Saturday, the rains didn’t come. We enjoyed the rain-free day and spent the afternoon walking on the paths around the lakes on the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain campus. My son-in-law regretted bringing the raft and all the equipment needed. He was disappointed that after all of that work we would not be able to go rafting.

Saturday evening as he sat at the computer checking the area river levels, he saw that the Caddo River was rising. The Caddo Gap and Glenwood areas had received an inch of rain, and it was enough to raise the river so that we could float it. The rafting trip was back on.

Sunday morning as we prepared to head out to Norman where we would put into the Caddo River, we made one last check of the river level. The river levels had dropped almost as dramatically as they had risen. It looked like there would be just enough water flowing for us to make the trip.

After pumping the raft full of air and preparing it to float, we shuttled a vehicle to the takeout point at Caddo Gap. When we returned, we were finally able to get on the water. It was a beautiful day; cloudy and overcast so that we were not in the direct sunlight, and not too hot. As we floated down the river, I drank in the amazing scenery. You can see the beauty of nature while floating a river that you can’t see any other way. I drank in the serene tranquility and peacefulness of my surroundings. The river has a relaxing, hypnotic quality. It is as if the normal everyday life doesn’t exist while you are floating a river.

We were alone on the river. We saw no other rafts, kayaks or canoes, but we were surrounded by wildlife. Twice we saw bald eagles soaring just above the treetops. There were egrets, herons, and ducks too numerous to count. As we came around a bend in the river, we were surprised to see a flock of wild turkeys flying low from one bank of the river to the other. On a side note, a flock of wild turkeys is referred to as a rafter. The rafters floating down the river saw a rafter of turkeys.

After eating our lunch on a lovely little sand bar next to a beautiful green pasture, we were back on the water. Because of the low water conditions, my granddaughters were often able to get out of the raft and swim along in the slow flowing river. They were excited to see three deer splash their way across the river just ahead of us.

Although the low water made for a calm and easy float without much whitewater, it wasn’t without problems. Numerous times we became stuck on the rocks. Often, we could dislodge ourselves by pushing on the rocks with our paddles and spinning off the rocks. If that didn’t work, my son-in-law and oldest granddaughter would get out of the raft and by pushing and pulling be able to get the raft free. Several times we had to all get out of the raft to be able to free the raft after getting stuck on the rocks in very shallow areas.

Although we had a great time, everyone was excited when we finally saw the takeout in Caddo Gap. We were tired and hungry, and it was starting to rain. By the time we deflated the raft and loaded everything into the van we were wet and cold. But a good hot meal at Little Italy in Glenwood revived everyone’s spirits.

As I drove back home, I thought about the promises that God has made to protect us during difficult times. He says, “when you face stormy seas I will be there with you with endurance and calm; you will not be engulfed in raging rivers. If it seems like you’re walking through fire with flames licking at your limbs, keep going; you won’t be burned.” Isaiah 43:2 (VOICE) But what about the times when the river is not raging but is so low that we have to get out and drag the raft?

We can know that God will be with us whether the storms are raging, or the drudgery of life seems to overwhelm us, “because He has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will always be by your side.’” Hebrews 13:5 (VOICE) God is with you when you have to drag yourself out of bed to face another day just as much as He is with you during the troubled times in your life. Florence Nightingale wrote, “the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs while the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.”

Many of us can relate to the lyrics of Jackson Browne’s song, The Pretender. “Gonna pack my lunch in the morning and go to work each day. And when the evening rolls around, I'll go on home and lay my body down. And when the morning light comes streaming in, I'll get up and do it again.” Does God care about such mundane things as our daily work schedule? He has given us a wonderful promise in Joshua 1:9 (NIV), “do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Gentle Reader, life can become routine, and we can get tired of the monotony of it. But in Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) we are told that “patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Don’t get discouraged when you have to drag your raft over the rocky shoals of life. Remember that God is with you even in the routine things in life.

Grasshoppers or Butterflies

My An Arkie's Faith column from the June 13, 2018, issue of The Mena Star.

The little engine chugged out of the station with its cargo of sightseers and excited children. Its narrow tracks snaked around the side of the mountain and led to an amazing view of the valley below. As the miniature train followed the curve of the tracks away from the mountains edge and into the woods, the kids nervously hoped they would spot a bear. The movement of the train and the shade of the woods helped cool the passengers on the hot summer day. All too soon the little train completed the loop and pulled back into the station.

For over fifty years this little train has thrilled generations of riders as it made its way around the beautiful views atop Rich Mountain. My first visit to the area in the 1970’s included a drive up to the top of Rich Mountain and a ride on the little train. My daughter first rode the train as a baby, and now her daughters love to take the train ride on top of the mountain.

Earlier this year when the Department of Parks and Tourism announced plans to do away with the train ride and transform the tracks into a walking and cycling path, the local outcry against the plan was unlike anything I have seen in the forty years I have been in the area. The Arkansas State Parks Director said that “the commission felt like the space the track used would be better utilized for the trail and special areas along the trail for activities everyone could enjoy year around.” Local park users vehemently disagreed with a loud and almost unanimous voice. When an online petition was started to keep the train, over 4,000 people took the time to sign it. State leaders reported that their phones were “ringing off the hook,” with people asking that the decision be reconsidered, and the train be allowed to stay.

At a time when our country seems so divided, it was refreshing to see as a community come together as this community did in support of the train. Because of the public outcry, State Parks Director Grady Spann says that “negotiations are in the works to save the miniature train that carried tourists around Queen Wilhelmina State Park each summer for the past 60 years, paving the way toward a reopening this summer.” He added, “It's a neat thing to see a community coming together. It shows a great emotional connection to the park, which I'm really glad to see. It's always good to see people are invested in their state parks. And we paid attention to that."



Over the years I have ridden the train many times, but one of my favorite rides was with my three-year-old granddaughter. It was a beautiful September day, and as we entered the brushy wooded area of the ride the grasshoppers along the path of the train would fly away. As each grasshopper flew away, my granddaughter would point and say butterfly. There were so many grasshoppers, that she was constantly pointing and saying “butterfly, butterfly, butterfly.”

To her, the grasshoppers were beautiful and exciting butterflies. I don’t feel the same way about grasshoppers. When I was growing up in Colorado, we seemed to have a constant battle with the grasshoppers eating our garden. A single grasshopper doesn't do much harm, even though it eats about half its body weight every day. But when you have large numbers of grasshoppers, their combined feeding habits can be very damaging. In the U.S. alone, grasshoppers cause more than 1.5 billion dollars in damage to grazing lands each year.



If you've handled grasshoppers, you've probably had them spit a brown liquid on you. Scientists believe this behavior is a means of self-defense, and the liquid helps them repel predators. But it isn’t very pleasant. Very few people find grasshoppers as attractive as butterflies.

Unlike my granddaughter, who saw the beauty in the grasshoppers, most of us don’t see beauty in those around us. Instead of seeing the good in people, we tend to be critical. When we are critical of others, we become harsh, vindictive, and cruel. A critical spirit leaves us with the idea that we are somehow superior to others. Jesus’ instructions about being critical and judging others are very simple; He says, “don’t.” His words are recorded in Matthew 7:1 (NKJV), “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

Instead of judging, God wants us to “encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV). The word “encouragement” means to support. When we encourage we speak words that support someone and help bring change for the better. By our words, we need to let them know that we support their dreams, pursuits, and goals. We all tend to get discouraged from time to time and need encouragement.

Gentle Reader, the choice is yours; you can either criticize or encourage. I hope that your choice will be to encourage others. If you do, God will encourage you! Most of us see the potential for bad in others. We look first for their flaws. We see their deficiencies and shortcomings. Instead, we need to see them as someone that Jesus loves. Just like my granddaughter looked at grasshoppers and saw beautiful butterflies, I hope that you will see the potential for good in the people around you. “God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to others; be kind, humble, gentle, and patient.” Colossians 3:12 (ICB). If we follow this instruction, we will encourage others instead of criticizing them. We will see them as butterflies.

Kermit the Snake

My An Arkie's Faith column from the March 9, 2016 issue of The Mena Star.

Recently my wife and I along with friends spent the afternoon at Cossatot River State Park. The park stretches for 12 miles along the scenic Cossatot River. The visitor information center is located on U.S. 278 east of Wickes where the highway crosses the Cossatot River. The center is beautiful and features an exhibit gallery, a lovely sitting room with a wildlife viewing area, and a gift shop.

One of the park interpreters is a longtime friend. She grew up in the area and loves the outdoors. We were able to spend some time with her during our visit to the park. One of her duties is to care for the reptiles that are onsite at the visitor’s center. While we were there she removed the resident rough green snake from its enclosure. Rough snakes are docile and nonvenomous. They live in grassy fields and forests, preferably close to water sources. The rough green snake has a bright green back and a yellow underbelly, with rough scales covering its very thin body. They can grow to be between three and four feet long.

The park interpreter introduced the snake to us and told us its name was Kermit. She offered to let my wife hold Kermit. She was hesitant at first but we encouraged her. She was instructed to hold her hands out palms up. Kermit was placed in her hands and after smelling the air and investigating a bit, he wrapped himself around her arm and settled in.  The snake appeared to be very comfortable. The park interpreter explained that the snake likes the warmth of a person’s skin. Kermit and my wife became very comfortable with each other.

When a friend that was with us was given the opportunity to hold Kermit, her response was a forceful no! She said that just like the Bible stated, she had a lot of enmity for snakes. Is there a biblical reason that so many people have a fear of snakes? I’m sure you remember the story of Eve’s encounter with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The serpent convinced Eve to disregard God’s command and eat fruit from the one tree that was forbidden. Because of her and her husband Adam’s decision to disregard God’s command everything changed.

When God came to walk in the garden in the cool of the day, He asked Eve, “Did you eat fruit from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?” She answered, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed.” Genesis 3:13-15 (NKJV)

As I read this passage in different versions I found these variants; “I will make you and the woman enemies” (NCV), “I will cause hostility between you and the woman” (NLT), “I’m declaring war between you and the woman” (MSG), “I will put animosity between you and the woman” (TLV), and “I will make you and the woman hate each other.”(NLV) Even if we no longer commonly use the word enmity, I think that we get the idea that there is a problem between the snake and the woman.

The Bible tells us that the snake is Satan. Revelation 12:9 (NCV) says, “The giant dragon was thrown down out of heaven. He is that old snake called the devil or Satan, who tricks the whole world.” I hope that you have enmity with Satan. Even though God placed hostility towards Satan in humans, not everyone feels that way. The Bible tells us in James 4:4 (NKJV), “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Too often Christians become comfortable with the snake. Just like my wife at first was hesitant about holding Kermit the snake but after a while became comfortable, as we put ourselves in compromising situations we lose our enmity towards Satan. How do we keep that from happening? 1 John 2:15,16 (NLT) says, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

Sometimes the things that the world offers us seem so enticing just like the fruit of the forbidden tree did to Eve. Gentle Reader, don’t let the love of this world make you an enemy of God. Your enemy is Satan. “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Rambler American at the Cossatot River

A few weeks ago I purchased a 1960 Rambler American. I love these little cars and their simplicity. The car hadn't been driven for many years. After some repairs; a new fuel pump, tie rod and water pump I was ready to take a drive. My first trip out of town was to Cossatot River State Park, which is eighty miles round trip.

My wife attended a dutch oven cooking class at the park. She had a great time. The class was taught by Park Interpreter Shelley Flanary who we have known since she was a little girl.

After a cold week, the day was warm and inviting.  The Cossatot River was beautiful. We hiked down to the river from the visitor's center.

From the visitors center we drove the unpaved roads to Cossatot Falls and on to Hwy 246. People were surprised to see the little Rambler driving out in these remote locations.

As I drove home through Hatfield, I stopped at the old Cities Service gas station to take a quick photo. The little Rambler seemed right at home there.

The Rambler's first trip was great with no problems at all. My only regret is that I never came across a Cadillac to race.

Snowy Morning

Last Wednesday morning there was a chance of snow in the forecast. Although we didn't get any snow here in Mena, I knew that the chances for snow were greater at higher elevations. When I got up that morning I read on Facebook that there was a lot of snow at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. I decided to drive up there before work.

I drove up the Talimena Drive in time to watch the sunrise at the Acorn Vista. There was just a skiff of snow on the ground.

After watching the sunrise I continued up Talimena Drive.  As I climbed in elevation there was more and more snow.

By the time I reached Grand View Vista the snow was 9 inches deep and the road was very slick.  After taking a few photos I decided that I had better make my way back down the mountain so I wouldn't be late for work.  

I made it back down the mountain and got to work just before time to open. I wish I had been able to make it up to Queen Wilhelmina State Park but I just ran out of time. William Rainey took photos of the drive and of Queen Wilhelmena State Park that you can view here.  He measured almost 13 inches of snow. Here is video that he took while walking through the woods to the Old Pioneer Cemetery.

A walk through the woods to the Old Pioneer Cemetery - Queen Wilhelmina State Park - Talimena Scenic Byway - Mena, Arkansas #arwx #winter #arkansas #arstateparks
Posted by William Rainey on Wednesday, February 24, 2016

2015 Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run

For the past 30+ years I have been attending the annual Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run in Mena, Arkansas.  I always enjoy looking at the beautiful cars that are on display each year.

In 1976, Mark Campbell started the annual Rod Run in Mena. I have been attending ever since I moved to Mena in 1981.  This year Mena will celebrate the 40th Annual Rod Run. This year's event is held in honor of Mark, who passed away on April 23, 2015 from pancreatic cancer. Here are a few photos that I took this evening.