March 16-19 Ozark AR

We had another easy drive to Aux Arc Park, an Army Corps of Engineers park on the Arkansas River in Ozark AR. Our site was the last waterfront site available and was absolutely beautiful—all for $9 per night using our senior discount.

We went to a local dive, the Speak Easy, twice--once for drinks and once for a chicken wings cook-off.



The Speak Easy

 We drove around town viewing some of the old buildings.

The old jail, now an attorney's office

There were things to see on the side of the road too--a multitude of feathers and an unfortunate armadillo.

Feathers across the road from a Butterball processing plant



One of ten armadillos we counted on Arkansas roads



Another sight to see was the Ozark River Bridge considered the 16th most beautiful bridge in the US by the American Institute of Steel Construction.

The Ozark River Bridge

The next day we drove to Reed Mountain Park and hiked the River Bluff Nature Trail.



The Ozark Dam and Locks as seen from the trail.  Our campsite is just to the right of the dam.



Following our hike, we drove to Altus City (population 817).  After stopping for a "Ray" photo op, we had lunch at the Wiederkehr restaurant and toured St. Mary’s Church.

An eatery in Altus City



Our table at the Wiederkehr



St. Mary's

When we returned to our campsite, we learned that Ozark had a severe weather alert (flash flooding) for the night before we were scheduled to leave through the end of the week. We decided to leave one day early.  It was a good decision.

River Flood Warning in effect until 2:50AM CDT SAT


THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE ARKANSAS RIVER AT OZARK LOCK AND DAM. * UNTIL LATE FRIDAY NIGHT... OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. * AT 4:00 AM THURSDAY THE TAILWATER ELEVATION WAS 358.9 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.