Monday - Lake Chicot State Park

From Ozarks to the flat delta as we headed south.

We stayed at a well kept secret, Lake  Chicot State Park in AR, a stone's throw or more like a cannonball shot from the Mississippi.  We were the only one in the  paved road campground yet there were four on duty when we arrived at 4:30.  It had been raining; the fields were full of water.  Found out from the black ranger  (all staff were black)  that corn, soybeans, rice were the main crops;  cotton, not so much anymore.  The next morning I asked him  about staffing.  Arkansas must be wealthy cuz in MT there is only one ranger in the winter or state parks are closed.  He said that used to be the case in AR until the legislature in  2005 gave state parks 1/8 cent  sales tax.  They used to have a lot of winter damage but not now since staffed.  Last year was A Banner year -- 275,000 visitors, with only  word of mouth advertising. I found it on" trip advisor".

This location is the nation's largest oxbow remnant, cut off from the mighty Mississip hundreds of years ago.  The "c" shaped lake is home to crappie ( limit 20 at least 10", bass, and catfish.  Cuz of the raccoons, they have latching garbage cans.  Cypress trees live up to their knees in water,  along with pecan and locus.  Daffodils are starting to bloom.  

Those that know me, know I'm a firebug at Fort Peck. I got 8 campfires ready for future visitors while Shopcat explored and Mike grilled burgers.  I couldn't get my campfire to keep burning, even with lighter fluid cuz of the moisture, but some future campers will have life easy.

They had nature trails which they marked bluE paint on the trees to keep you on the right PATH (GOOD IDEA).  Just mowed  a trail.  CAMPGROUND WAS PAVED.  A FABULOUS PLACE IN  SE ARKANSAS.