Louisiana and Arkansas

[pondlady]

We stayed in Indian CReek State Park in Alexandra La and now we are in Degray State Park near Hot Springs AR. Both parks are well kept and pretty. Degray took myGolden age passport but Indian Creek did not. Degray advertises pull through sites, but has TWO only. Neither has wi fi.
The Grey Wolf is pulling great and we are. Becoming pros. I will post photos when I learn how on this new iPad.

[milzat]

[jimh]

we drive by indian creek frequently on our trek between NE and SW La. we tried to use our Senior nat park pass as well. was told that doesn't work here. they are state of La but part of the st forest service (i think...it may be wildlife and fisheries). they aren't part of the st parks system.
if u want to stay in a new one, the one in Delhi (on La 17 abt 4 miles north of I-20) has only been there 5 or so years. its well maintained. i believe indian creek has nicer surounds though. i like the half price camping in the st parks. $9/night for full plus the $1 or $2 fee to reserve america per reservation.

I don't recall if they had wifi at poverty pt or not. i think they did. i have a connection card and may have used that.
by the way, it isn't the pass in Louisiana at the state parks that gets u the discount; its ur age.

[jimh]

if u want to stay at a st park on ur way back, Chicot is right next to I-49 and it's not that far south of Indian Creek.
according to the st web site, all the La State parks have wifi.

http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ireservoir.aspx

[jimh]

In Arkansas, i like the area around Mountianview. best way to get in is from the east up ark 5. or come in from batesville. the way in from Sherlie, is rather crocked. i believe they actually took me on a tour of Sherlie before getting out of town. Sherlie is not but abt 4 blcoks wide but they make sure u see it. Mountian view is almost due north of little rock maybe abt 75 miles (as the crow flies) from misouri.

Mountianview has a folk center right there by it. Blanchard Springs Cavern is less than 10 miles away. Very nice cave; large with lots of formations. u go down in an elevator and go out the back side to a waiting bus. there is a premitive campground there as well. the park is run by the national forest service.

back in mountianview, those wanting to play gather around on the courthouse square at sunset and play. at times there are several playing in different places around the square. They play various kinds of music although i've yet to hear my favorite, Christian gangster rock.

Just out of town, there is a store namened Mellons. the owner is from somewhere around the Lafayette, La area. it is a country store and he is rather comical. he and his dog have been seen in town in his model t erra truck with words "Mellons speedy delivery" on it.

Needlessly to say, i like that area.

[pondlady]

We are probably going to stay in and around n. Ar the rest of Oct. A good friend, Tina Wilcox is the chief gardener and herbalist at the Ozark Folk Center. BTW,she has two books out. Buy them.
Thanks for all the good info. I am well over 65, so will have no discount problems.

[pondlady]

As promised, here are some pics from Indian Creek in Alexandria, LA.

Sunset


Sunrise

[powerboatr]

oh great
we have been looking at visiting degray lake.
is it as good as the website suggests?

how was access into and out of the park


thanks

[pondlady]

Degray Lake is nice. The sites are wooded and the entire area is forest. The roads are narrow and hilly, but we had no problem with our 28' TT. They advertise pull through sites: There are TWO and not very desirable. And they were taken. Degray lake itself is down about 30', so boat launches are closed and swimming close to impossible. This past summer's drought has taken a toll on plant material. Much is dead and dying. Wildlife is abundant as the deer and birds come closer to humans to get something to eat. There is a Forest Service campground abutting Degray Lake. It has electric, but no water hookups. The entire area is beautiful. Oh, and there is a fire ban now because of lack of rain.

[powerboatr]

Thank you for the real world appraisal