Ozarks Outdoors Spring 2013

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SPRING 2013 2013 WINTER

Get up. Get out. Get going.

Get up. Get out. Get going.

FINDING THE RIGHT BIKE FOR YOU THE ELK QUEST WRITER EMBARKS ON LONG TREK IN SEARCH OF ELUSIVE ELK

5 THINGS

YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR SPRING

IN THE OZARKS

FRESH AIR AND ART AREA WALKS FEATURING OUTDOOR WORKS

NOVICE CLIMBER TAKES IT OUTSIDE

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

THE MENTAL GAME

FOLLOWING A SOLDIER’S FOOTSTEPS CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD HIKING TRAILS

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34 INSIDE

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SPRING 2013

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

To advertise: 417-847-2610 - Cassville 417-235-3135 - Monett 870-423-6636 - Berryville 479-253-0070 - Eureka Springs Send e-mail inquiries to editor@monett-times.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 40, Monett, MO 65708 Ozarks Outdoors is published and distributed free in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.

Ozarks Outdoors is a publication of the Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times, the Lovely County Citizen, Carroll County News and Rust Communications.

THE ELK QUEST Writer embarks on long trek in search of elusive elk

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH Hercules Glades Wilderness

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THE RUN AROUND A list of running events

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ALL-SEASONS RUNNER Run a fast 5K this year

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FRESH AIR AND ART Area walks featuring outdoor works

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AN OUTDOOR CRAFTSMAN

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FOLLOWING A SOLDIER’S FOOTSTEPS Civil War battlefield hiking trails

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A CLEAR TARGET Female writer enrolls in conceal and carry class

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FINDING THE RIGHT BIKE FOR YOU

33

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR SPRING

34

NO PLACE LIKE OM Open-air meditation sanctuary

38

THE MENTAL GAME Novice climber takes it outside

40

COOL STUFF Some must-haves for the outdoor gearhead

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TAKE YOUR PIC

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38

STAFF

FROM THE EDITOR

With the arrival of spring comes the opportunity to tune up your bike, lace up your trail running shoes or grab your kayak and get back outside. This month’s Ozarks Outdoors provides you with plenty of inspiration to do just that. There’s an article on picking the right bike, and just in time for race season, we’ve included a column aimed at helping athletes run a faster 5K. Additional features in our spring issue include a piece on a Cassville, Missouri, man who crafts one-of-kind bamboo fly rods, as well as an introduction to an open-air meditation center in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

As in past issues, you’ll find a listing of local running and bike races as well as our “Off the Beaten Path” feature, which highlights the Hercules Glades Wilderness area in Taney County, Missouri. You’ll also be interested to read about one writer’s quest for the elusive Missouri elk.

We continue to seek feedback from our readers as we strive to broaden the reach of this newly redesigned magazine. The best way to offer input, suggestions, comments and story ideas is to email me at editor@monett-times.com.

We genuinely welcome the dialogue.

ADVERTISING Robyn Blankenship Sheila Harris Marion Chrysler Cassie Brewer Steven Johnson Shelly Anderson Mary Ann Carlson Chip Ford Jim Sexton Anastasia Shilling GRAPHIC ARTISTS Melody Rust CONTRIBUTORS Lindsay Reed Melonie Roberts Beth Bartlett Tim Homesley Larry Dablemont Lee Stubblefield Mark Conner Jennifer Conner Richard Reed Heidi Douglas PHOTOGRAPHERS Charles Henry Ford II Chuck Nickle Kerry Hays Jeff Terry Jon Whitlock

5

Lisa Schlichtman, editor

ART DIRECTOR Veronica Zucca connection@monett-times.com

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

It’s a lovely spring morning in the Ozarks as I write this editor’s note. After last night’s spring shower, I step outside to find the grass greener and new clusters of daffodils adding unexpected bursts of bright yellow color to the field behind our home.

Rain, especially in the spring, symbolizes renewal to me. As big drops of rain fall to the ground, the thirsty earth soaks them up, replenishing itself after a long winter of hibernation. The nourishment brings forth new life hidden beneath the hard, frozen ground.

With sunshine beckoning, I take the opportunity to walk a trail at Roaring River State Park. with my youngest son, Ryan, who is home from college for spring break. We encounter signs of spring’s rebirth everywhere we look -- a patch of ground near the river dotted with the purple blooms of spring beauties, large hawks soaring from tree top to tree top, coasting on the gentle breeze, and one or two snapping turtles popping their heads up out of the murky green water of a pond. It is an absolutely gorgeous day made even more perfect by the companionship of my adult child who now lives in Colorado for most of the year.

EDITOR Lisa Schlichtman editor@monett-times.com

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARK CONNER n ELK AT PECK RANCH

n A SIGN POINTING TOWARD

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

AN ELK VIEWING AREA.

Writer embarks on long trek in search of elusive elk

I

n the 1860s, some guy in the Missouri Bootheel shot an elk.

Turned out it was the last elk in Missouri. The very last one.

Well, at least until recently. In 2011, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) began reintroducing elk to a 364-square mile “Elk Restoration Zone” in southcentral Missouri with their main efforts happening at Peck Ranch

Conservation Area in Carter County, five miles east of Winona. This was the culmination of a decade-long effort, full of studies and setbacks, that was initiated by a group of Missourians.

MDC recently opened a selfguided driving tour through the conservation area where visitors can cruise along specially marked roads in hopes of glimpsing an elk. This new

option sounded like a fair enough challenge, in addition to a good excuse to explore one of Missouri’s conservation areas.

Actually seeing an elk at Peck Ranch isn’t a guarantee. Lonnie Hansen, one of the department’s elk experts, optimistically cautioned it was “hit and miss.” I mean we are talking about a 23,000-acre conservation area and around 70 elk.

Hansen said to get there early in the morning or in late evening, when elk can often be seen in the fields. Otherwise, the elk will be in

n During 2011 and 2012, MDC restored approximately 70 elk from Kentucky to Missouri. This year, they plan on adding 35 additional elk. n The goal is to get the population up to 400 to 500 elk. n Trapping and health testing of Missouri-bound elk in Kentucky take place from January to late April with transportation of elk to Missouri anticipated in early May. n Following additional health testing and a period of acclimation, the elk will be released from the holding pens to the restoration zone. n A 5- to 6-year-old elk can weigh up to 700 pounds, more than double what some deer weigh. n Elk expert Lonnie Hansen said fall is a fun time to go looking for elk. It’s breeding season, and the bulls bugle to attract a mate. n A YOUNG, FEMALE ELK AT PECK RANCH CONSERVATION AREA. Kentucky started elk restoration in the late 1990s. Lonnie Hansen, Missouri Department of Conservation elk expert, said Kentucky is home to more than 10,000 elk, and every year, allows other states to purchase some of their elk for restoration efforts.

Kentucky has also not had a confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease -- a pretty nasty, transmittable disease that affects the brains of elk and deer, making Kentucky elk even more attractive for restoration purposes.

7

sun. And, of course, this would give me the iconic shot that I deserved for getting up at 4 a.m. and driving three hours.

Turned out this particular “elk viewing area” featured a dried up pond and a small field. I got out and took some pictures of deer prints, wondering if I could convince anyone they were elk tracks.

I made a couple more loops without seeing anything. But, as Hansen said, it was a pretty drive, “Even if you don’t see one, it’s beautiful country, there’s other wildlife to see.”

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

the woods, making them harder to spot.

PECK RANCH A series of gravel service roads is now an 11-mile self-guided driving tour. The roads are numbered, and there are maps and occasional little brown signs warning you an “Elk Viewing Area” is approaching.

The first sign got me pretty excited. I couldn’t help but think of how lucky I was going to be to drive all this way and, within the first 15 minutes of being on my elk viewing quest, come across a bull elk lifting his antlered head toward the rising

n ELK PRINTS LEADING UP TO FIELD #55 AT PECK RANCH

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

CONSERVATION AREA.

n A PECK RANCH CONSERVATION ELK VIEWING AREA.

ELK OF THE OZARKS As I was getting ready to leave, I noticed two trucks stopped alongside a field.

The driver of the lead truck rolled down his window.

“Out looking for elk?”

I nodded and noticed both trucks sported conservation department logos.

“They’re up ahead in the woods.”

I pulled forward and sat in my truck, fiercely peering into the woods. Nothing. My eyes began to hurt.

I decided to start walking.

After a quarter mile, I heard some noise in the distance. My eyes moved toward the sound. A splash of orange. I pulled up my camera and zoomed in. These were the elk, 20 or so, maybe 500 yards away. The orange was the radio collars.

I watched for another minute and then kept on, finding a dried up

n

PECK RANCH CONSERVATION AREA BOASTS A VARIETY OF OZARKS LANDSCAPES, INCLUDING WIDE SWATHS OF NATIVE PINE.

creek bed to follow.

A mile or so in and the creek took a hard left, but I kept straight, fighting my way up a hill. Near the top, I stopped to catch my breath and heard a sound to my right.

Suddenly, there it was, 15 yards away, walking closer. An elk.

As we stared deep into each other’s eyes, I thought about not taking a picture. This creature was giving me something I didn’t want to ruin or upset or screw up. I’m not good at capturing the weepy pressures of emotionally charged moments. Never have been. I wanted to just enjoy, which can be hard sometimes.

Think of it: For 150 or so years, there were no elk. None. And here was one. It could have likely been a Missouri-born elk, Hansen told me afterwards.

And the funny thing is, these elk have only been back in Missouri for a couple of years but didn’t seem out

of place. They seemed, as Hansen said, like they belonged here.

Eventually, I raised my camera and took a picture.

It obliged for a minute and then turned and bounded away.

The rest of the morning was spent ambling through Peck Ranch’s hills, occasionally getting glimpses of elk. Never again that close, though, which was fine. These elk have a long road in front of them, and the last thing they need is to become too comfortable around people.

WORTH A STOP Sure, you can go to Colorado, Alaska, California or even Arkansas to seen an elk, but there’s something special about seeing a Missouri Elk, an Elk of the Ozarks.

And for this, Peck Ranch is worth a visit. Even if you don’t see an elk, it’s beautiful county and plenty of other sights and sounds and activities to keep you pleasantly distracted.

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SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

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s a student at Missouri State University, Hercules Glades was my go-to escape from the rigors of academia and working a full-time job. I remember vividly my first experience in this stark landscape; a college friend and I decided we would “hunt” tarantula (hunt, in this case, defined as taking photos). The tarantula is one of many unique species found in the glades and is most readily observed in the autumn when the males are on a last frantic search for female companions. If they fail, the males will likely die without having completed their

Off

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CONNER

n LONG CREEK GURGLES THROUGH HERCULES GLADES WILDERNESS.

Hercules Glades Wilderness A “hunt” to remember n

A TURKEY’S NEST/EGGS FOUND IN SOME LOW BRUSH ON THE GLADES.

ELEVATION CHANGE: up to 1,200 feet LENGTH: 32 miles (includes all trails; loop and intersecting). Check out www.usda.gov and search for “hercules glades” for detailed information on each trail.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 4 out of 5 GEAR (DAY HIKE): Plenty of water, sturdy hiking boots, lunch/snacks.

TIME: As long or as short as you like!

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NOTE: Remember to pack out what you pack in and “leave no trace” of your time spent in the glades. This is especially important in wilderness areas to preserve the delicate habitat.

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

biological destiny.

We ventured into the glades at dusk, headlights donned. A hardwood forest loomed dark and stoic on the path until finally the canopy opened, and we found ourselves on a broad expanse of limestone glades. The magenta horizon sparkled; broken only by the undulating silhouette of Ozark mountains. We walked on in silence, swinging our headlights to and fro, catching the reflection of newly formed dew and wolf spider eyes gleaming in the grass. A howl rang out in concert with the sunset followed by yips and yaps of coyotes paying tribute to the waning light. Our search

n

FIRE RING/CAMPSITE IN THE GLADES.

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

n JUNCTION OF PILOT KNOB AND LONG CREEK TRAILS.

ended an hour later with a tarantula count of zero, but it didn’t seem to matter, the trip itself was the treasure.

THE WILDERNESS CALLS Hercules Glades is located in southeastern Taney County and offers over 12,000 acres of wilderness and 32 miles of maintained trails. Hiking in the wilderness is truly a unique experience. According to the U.S. Forest Service: “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” It is for this reason that I won’t recommend a specific trail within the Hercules Glades Wilderness, but rather challenge you to experience all of the trails that are offered in this Ozarks gem and further encourage you to experience life “Off the Beaten Path,” if you are so inclined.

My own first experience off-trail was here, in Hercules Glades. I gazed breathless into the wild beyond the comfort of the fire tower trailhead. It was mid-May, and I had packed enough gear to survive for a week.

Hercules Glades had become a dear friend; I knew each trail by heart but now it was time to leave the comfort of the known. My lab-mix Frick looked at me with a whine, his back-pack lopsided and packed to the brim with dog food and water. Finally, armed with a GPS, a water purifier and some freeze-

dried meals, we broke the invisible barrier separating man’s trail from the wild.

It was an epic week. When we returned to civilization after surviving three thunderstorms and a close call with a pygmy rattlesnake, I brought with me the pride of a challenge met and a wealth of memories, including a photo of brown-dappled turkey eggs discovered in a mess of brush and the image of twilight vistas filled with acrobatic night hawks screeching and hunting insects, making way for night skies imbued with sparkling constellations. This was a magical place, indeed.

GLADES: AN ECOLOGICAL TREASURE Glades are a unique habitat characterized by large expanses of limestone and/or dolomite rock outcroppings. Due to the lack of topsoil and shallow bedrock, only select plant and animal species thrive in the glades. Smoke trees pepper the hillsides, bursting with brilliant red and orange foliage in the fall and imparting a “smoky” look in the spring after the flowers have fallen and the hairy stalks, which resemble smoke, remain.

Missouri primrose and Indian paintbrush, flashy in their wildflower fashion show, decorate the hillsides, while the less ostentatious limestone calamint grows quietly, releasing its minty perfume when disturbed. Unique animal species abound here as well, including the secretive roadrunner, timber rattlesnake and scorpion.

n REBECCA MERRIMAN TAKING A WATER BREAK ON PILOT KNOB TRAIL.

n THE FIRE TOWER TRAILHEAD LEADING TO LONG CREEK AND PILOT KNOB TRAILS.

n

Unfortunately, glade habitats are arguably one of the most threatened ecosystems in the Ozarks. This is due primarily to the encroachment of eastern red cedars, which block out the sun and choke out native wildlife that thrive in this paradoxically harsh yet delicate environment. To combat the proliferation of cedars and other undesirable tree and shrub species in Hercules Glades, the U.S. Forest Service periodically conducts prescribed burns; a controlled mimic of the natural fires that once served to preserve these habitats.

AN UNEXPECTED GUEST I returned to Hercules Glades on my own a few days after the tarantula “hunt,” in search of some solace this time. While picnicking on a sunny rock, I sensed movement and stood up quickly. Unfettered by manners, focused and brave as the wind, a tarantula marched across my picnic rock and into the distance.

I wanted to follow him into the crevices, to see if his journey ended with a mate, happily ever after, but I knew that the secrets of the wilderness weren’t meant for me, so I finished my sandwich and followed the sun on an unhurried hike back to civilization.

VIEW OF THE GLADES IN WINTER.

Small wonder

n THE FIRE TOWER LOCATED AT THE HIGHWAY 125 FIRE TOWER TRAILHEAD.

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

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The red milk snake is one of many reptiles that makes their home in the glades. Often confused with the venomous coral snake (that is not native to the Ozarks), the non-venomous red milk snake is brilliantly colored with tan, red and black markings. Farmers observed red milk snakes in their cattle barns, which popularized a myth that these snakes nursed milk from cattle, giving the red milk snake its name. In all likelihood however, the red milk snake frequented barns, because there were plenty of rodents, a primary staple of the red milk snake’s diet, along with lizards and other small snakes.

r e u h t n

u o n r d A list of a

running events

NOT YOUR TYPICAL RACE: Ozark Greenways Adventure Race Saturday, May 18 Frisco Highline Trail in Springfield This exciting race is a multi-sport adventure, featuring running, trekking, mountain biking, orienteering and paddling. For more information, visit www.greenwayrace.org.

Go Green Triathlon

Children’s Advocacy 5K Glow Run

Saturday, April 13 Webb City, Missouri Sprint triathlon: 300-yard swim, 13-mile bike ride and 3-mile run www.rufusracing.com/go-green.html

Friday, April 19 Rogers, Arkansas Night-time 5K run, one-mile fun run and 400-yard Super Hero dash Proceeds benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

Rock the Parkway Saturday, April 13 Kansas City, Missouri Half-marathon, 5K along the scenic Ward Parkway. Voted Kansas City’s favorite large race. www.rocktheparkway.com

Carole Hilmer Ovarian Cancer 5K Saturday, April 20 Holiday Island, Arkansas 5K run, 3-mile walk and two-mile walk visit http://hisid.info

Primal Challenge The Hog Eye Sunday, April 14 Fayetteville, Arkansas Marathon, half-marathon, 5K run www.hogeyemarathon.com

Saturday, April 20 Fayetteville, Arkansas Four-mile race, including obstacles and tough terrain. www.primalchallengerace.com

$300.00 Rebate Pioneer E-Series

1st annual World’s Biggest Party Half-Marathon

$500.00 Rebate Pioneer S-Series LazerZ E-Series

Saturday, April 20 Springfield, Missouri Half-marathon to benefit Camp Barnabas www.bigpartymarathon.com

0% for 48 months WAC Offer good April 1 – June 14, 2013

Swartz Tractor Sales & Service

Komen Race for the Cure Saturday, April 27 Fayetteville, Arkansas 5K, one-mile fun run, 5K walk and one-mile run www.komenozark.org/komen-racefor-the-cure

Color Me Rad 5K Run

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Saturday, April 27 Springfield, Missouri www.colormerad.com

The Heather Ridley Fleeman Battle for Hope Saturday, May 4 Bentonville, Arkansas 10K, 5K, family fun walk and kids race www.heathersraceforhope.com

AUTO PARTS

417-678-4121 • 800-679-4121

We stock marine batteries.

38 West Pleasant • Aurora, Mo (one block west of the square )

Go Girl Run Saturday, May 11 Springfield, Missouri Women’s half-marathon and 5K http://ultramaxtri.com/gogirlrun/ springfield/info.html

Joplin Memorial Run Saturday, May 18 Joplin, Missouri Half-marathon, 5K, kids run Created to honor the 161 people who lost their lives in the May 22, 2011. http://joplinmemorialrun.com

Running of the Squirrels 5K

We offer guided fly-fishing trips on the beautiful Taneycomo section of the White River

We offer: • WADE, DRIFT-BOAT, OR COMBO TRIPS • FLY-FISHING SCHOOLS • FLY-TYING CLINICS

Missouri Mud Chug Saturday, June 16 Fulton, Missouri Intense 5K race with military grade obstacles. Costumes encouraged. www.mudchug.com

Full line fly-fishing shop and expert guide service!

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2626 St. Hwy. 165, Branson, MO 417-332-0460 • 877-699-FISH (3474) www.riverrunoutfitters.com

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

Saturday, May 18 Marionville, Missouri www.squirrel5K.org

Let us show you how it’s done!

Run a fast 5K this year

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

S

o you’ve managed to stay healthy and in shape all winter, your mileage has remained consistently high, and you are still feeling the afterglow of a successful long race in the fall. Now what? Runners need goals and challenges like flowers need rain and nutrients. But for many runners, the thought of running FAST brings immediate self doubt.

Seriously, why do so many of us shy away from the 5K? At first glance, it would seem everyone is running 5K races. For one thing, there are a lot of 5K races available. Check the online results sites, and you will find that a number of 5K events occur every weekend. But a closer perusal of those results reveals that only a few runners in any given race post elite times, especially in the masters age divisions.

Many of the better runners avoid the 5K, because the demands of that particular distance only serve to reinforce a discomforting fact. Speed dwindles with age. Like a receding hairline, runners adopt devices to mask the onset of age, sometimes oblivious to their own denial. But dwindling speed is not the total disappearance of speed.

Sometimes runners need a reality check on mortality. Yes, your sprint times will suffer from age. That’s a cold, hard fact.

The upside of the equation is knowing that the competitors in your age group have the same limitations and erosion of ability. Shying away from shorter, faster races and the speed work required to be successful in them simply cheats you out of being a whole runner.

This year, I challenge you to rediscover your speed and run a fast 5K. The requirements for improving at the 5K distance are simple: a good mileage base, a strong core and a mix of insane sprint workouts and longer intervals at race pace.

Unlike marathon and ultra training, the majority of your 5K workouts are designed to prepare your body to operate

at a predetermined speed. While many days of marathon preparation are spent simply being on your feet for hours at a time, these workouts are based on the idea of specificity: if you don’t run fast in practice, you won’t be able to run fast in a race.

Two workouts that have always been cornerstones of my 5K program, both as a coach and a runner, are interval quarters and interval miles. (That’s 400s and 1,600s for you metric-minded people.)

The interval quarters are the ultimate gut check of workouts. Do a very thorough warmup, then run 10 400s as one set, with 90 seconds of recovery between runs. The goal is to run all 10 in a window of five seconds or less. That means that your fastest 400 will be no more than five seconds better than your slowest one. Some pacing is involved early in the workout but not to the point of just breezing along. There should be noticeable stress on every run, and more of it as the workout progresses.

You WILL suffer from some discomfort during this workout. Welcome the sensation -– it means you are doing a good job. As one of my All-State runners used to say, “If pain is your enemy, it’s kicking your ass.”

Do this workout once a week during your 5K training program. Log every 400 in your book, so you can chart progress through the season.

Your other killer track workout is the classic 5 x one-mile session. There must be at least three days of separation between these two workouts, otherwise you risk injury from excess stress and too little recovery.

Again, do a thorough warmup, and then run five one-mile runs with a five-minute recovery between runs. The pace for these miles should be 20 to 30 seconds faster than your planned 5K race pace. If your goal pace for a 5K is six-minute miles (18:36 race time), then you want to average 5:30 to 5:40 or better for your interval miles.

The key to successfully completing the interval mile workout, and gaining the maximum benefits from it, is to run even pace on every lap of every mile. If you run a 5:20 mile, then each lap should be run in 80 seconds, etc.

Most people don’t have that “stopwatch in their head” awareness of time and need feedback from a watch during the workout.

BY LEE STUBBLEFIELD you also need to add race experience and knowledge of racing tactics to attain that awesome goal time and performance.

A TYPICAL WEEK’S SCHEDULE WOULD CONSIST OF: Monday

10 x 400 on the track

Tuesday

medium-pace 8 miles on road or trail Wednesday medium-pace 8 miles on road or trail Thursday

5 x 1,600 on track

Friday Saturday Sunday

OFF timed 5-mile run on track easy 10-mile run on road or track

Weekly total mileage: 38.5

17

That timed 5-mile long run on the track is not a typographical error. Running a long run on the track allows you to check your pace splits every 100 meters and know exactly what pace you are running. Try to run every lap of that run at your predetermined pace. This requires the ability to figure splits in your head while running. I find it’s a good idea to write down every 100-meter split for that run beforehand, and “run” through that progression mentally before going to the track.

Some runners include their warmup and cool down as part of their mileage. If you do, your weekly totals will be inflated. Just remember not to skimp on the core of your workout. Unlike marathon or ultra training, you won’t be adding significant mileage as time progresses. Instead, you will be striving to run each workout faster, except for your easy long run.

It’s okay to scout the available races and choose the flattest, fastest course available for your assault on whatever mark is in your sights. Hilly courses are great character builders, but do your character building in practice. On race day, fly to the finish line and enjoy that fast time.

Remember that speed is relative. All you can do is all you can do. Masters runners take heed: you will never again be as fast as the runner you were in the physical prime of your life. Time has created a canyon between you and that guy/girl that you can never reach across. Accept who and what you are, and enjoy the abilities you have now.

See you at the starting line.

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

to measure is the mark at the beginning of the last straightaway.

Before each track workout, figure out the lap splits for the distance you will be running and then divide by four to find the 100-meter split. Glance at your watch as you pass each mark and adjust your About the author: speed to stay on pace. With a little Lee Stubblefield, who currently practice, you will be lives in Cassville, Missouri, was an able to tell by feel All-State half-miler and state chamwhat pace you are pion cross country runner for Fayrunning. etteville (Arkansas) High School.

He led the Bulldogs to their fifth That feel consecutive state team cross counfor pace is the try title in 1973 and ran collegiately key to running a for Henderson State University and successful 5K. You John Brown University. can’t sprint for a Stubblefield served as head distance that is track and cross country coach for slightly longer than Southwest High School in Washthree miles. But you burn, Missouri, from 1999 to 2009 also can’t jog along and served as interim track coach for the 2012 season.

The Trojans won and then make up a You WILL suffer the Missouri Class 1 boys state cross lot of ground in the from some country title in 2000 – the only state final half mile. An discomfort during championship in any MSHSAA sport evenly paced race is this workout. in the history of the school – and finthe best recipe for Welcome the ished in the top three at state four conserving energy, sensation – it times during Stubblefield’s coaching finishing strong stint. Under Stubblefield, the Southmeans you are and posting a good west boys won the Ozark 7 Track doing a good time. and Field Championships in 2007, job. As one of 2008, 2009 and 2012.

Besides the my All-State Stubblefield is also an accomtwo track workouts, runners used to plished masters road racer with the rest of your say, “If pain is your a best masters marathon time of weekly sessions enemy, it’s kicking 3:17:54 at the Oklahoma Marathon will involve mileage. your ass.” in 1999 and a 3:21:22 at the Frisco Not the punishing, Highline Marathon in 2005. His mental challenge of best masters 10K is a 38:20 from marathon mileage, the 2005 Sunshine Run at age 49. but a weekly total He holds Missouri state 55-59 agegroup records for the 25K (1:47:50) of 35 to 40 miles. and 50K (4:23:44).

Unlike the lengthy runs of marathon training, these longer runs are accomplished at a faster pace and should become faster as the season progresses.

I say “season” because a fast 5K usually You don’t have to buy an expensive Garmin doesn’t just happen with one race. As your watch for this; any cheap wristwatch with training progresses and your track and road a stopwatch function will suffice. Then you practices produce faster results, your 5K race need to know where the 100-meter marks times will improve. Unlike marathon racing, are located on the track. Three of the four your body can easily withstand 5K racing 100 marks are clearly defined: the finish every other week. Many runners believe that line for all races, the starting line for the the best practice session for this distance is a 300-meter hurdles and the starting line for race. Besides gaining endurance and speed, the 200-meter dash. The only one you have

&ART:

Fresh air M

ay marks the monthlong Festival of the Arts in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where art is celebrated in every nook and cranny of the Victorian town. It’s also a great time to remember that the Ozarks is a very artistic region, from the new trails at Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges to the numerous outdoor art paths in Springfield, Missouri.

tThe World’s Largest Fork in Springfield.

OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

t 18

James Turrell’s “The Way of Color” at Crystal Bridges. Photo courtesy of www.crystalbridges.org

area walks featuring outdoor works

BY BET H B A RT L E T T

In Eureka Springs, you can’t go outside without running into art. During the May Festival of the Arts, you’ll see fresh works in the city’s small parks and even on some people’s lawns. Put on your comfy shoes and walk the Historic Loop from Spring Street up past the Crescent Hotel and onward to White Street for a variety of artistic surprises. If you’re in town on Friday, May 17, browse through the White Street Studio Walk, where many of the city’s artists bring their works outside to create a street fair atmosphere.

Year-round, you can also see the “100 Years of Eureka Springs” mural, originally designed by noted artist Louis Freund and located on Main Street. Just past the mural are smaller artworks displayed on

the retaining walls across the parking lots.

This permanent outdoor exhibit, called The Artery, rotates artists and canvas with the season, but you’ll always find an amazing variety of creativity and subjects. For more information on any of the art in Eureka Springs, visit www.eurekasprings.org.

While the interior of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is packed with historically significant art, a lot of thought was invested in the outside, as well. There are three and a half miles of trails weaving through the campus, but art aficionados shouldn’t miss the Art Trail, a one-third-mile paved trail featuring a dozen artworks along the way. Works by Dan Ostermiller, Andre Harvey and many others are spaced appropriately on the trail, although the jewel is James Turrell’s “The Way of Color,” an installation involving a sky light show that changes depending on time of day and weather conditions. For a trail map, visit www.crystalbridges.org.

Some art is meant to be admired from afar, and other works you can wear home around your neck. The First Thursday monthly celebration held on the Fayetteville Square includes the work of two dozen local and regional artists in an outdoor Artwalk.

Visitors can chat with the artists or watch

t

Artery in Eureka Springs. Photo tThe courtesy of www.thearterysite.org Outdoor art is a welcome sight throughout Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Photo courtesy of the Eureka Springs CAPC

The Downtown Public Art Walk includes more than a dozen murals and installations along Campbell Avenue, Jefferson Avenue and Jordan Valley Park, including the stunning Kinetic Man by sculptor Ross RuBert. The Uptown Public Art Walk features another nine works along Commercial Street, including statues and murals. Much of the city’s outdoor artwork commemorates people and events in Springfield history, from the railroad to local golf legend Payne Stewart. On the whimsical side, you can also find The World’s Largest Fork on Chesterfield Boulevard. For a brochure and map of the city’s outdoor art, visit www.springfieldarts.org.

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

t them work in onsite demonstrations. Jewelry, textiles, photography, paintings and much more can be purchased as well, so you can start your own art collection at home. For more information and a list of participating artists, visit firstthursdayfayetteville.com.

If you’re thinking about art, Springfield, Missouri, is home to an amazing amount of public art. Thanks to the Springfield Regional Arts Council, there are more than 50 outdoor art sites around town and two self-guided art walks.

A Scene from Fayetteville’s First Thursday celebration. Photo courtesy of www.firstthursdayfayetteville.com

19

AN OUTDOOR CRAFTSMAN

20

OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

Cassville man creates custom bamboo fly rods

OUTDOOR AN

STORY BY M ELO N IE RO BERT S PHOTO S BY K ER R Y H AY S

There’s something mystical about hearing the whisper of a fly cast far over fog-shrouded water, especially during the early morning hours at Roaring River State Park.

Avid anglers, like Cassville’s Gordon Roller, need nothing more than a sturdy rod, a few flies and a quiet spot to fish to find their nirvana.

For Gordon, fly fishing is a passion, and in recent years, he has turned his fascination with the sport into an avocation and now creates custom bamboo fly rods for discerning fishermen and women through his home-based business, G.L. Custom Rods and Tackle.

“I’ve been building rods for about seven years,” said Gordon, who works full time as supervisor of Roaring River State Park maintenance workers. “I started by repairing and rebuilding graphite and fiberglass rods, and a friend of mine, Tim Homesley, wanted his bamboo rod refurbished.”

Gordon traveled to Winnsboro, Louisiana, to learn the craft from Harry Boyd, a rod builder of high renown. “He taught me to build from scratch,” Gordon said.

Gordon takes a 12-foot shaft of bamboo and splits it into one quarter-inch strips. Four or six strips are glued together to form an invisible seam, making the base of a “quad-” or “hex-”shaped rod depending on the number of strips used to create it.

Tolerances for the precision work of joining the wooden strips together are as little as 1/1,000th of an inch.

“I’ve been fishing since I was 4 or 5 years old,” Gordon said. “I had some rods that were pretty old that needed repaired, so I just started doing it. It’s a little tedious, but they are as good as new when I’m done.”

Gordon has a vast knowledge about fishing that spans years of industry changes.

“Some of the first fishing rods ever used were oak and bamboo. They were strong, but bamboo is much lighter compared to oak,” he said. “Then came the steel poles, fiberglass and graphite. A lot of people prefer the bamboo over other types of fishing rods.”

Gordon said Tonkin bamboo, which is grown in Aozai, a small village located in a remote area along the Sui River in the northwest corner of the Guangdong province, China, makes the best fly fishing poles.

Tonkin bamboo is not only a sturdier material, but plants mature and are ready for harvest in about two months, providing a steady supply of product for rod makers.

One 12-foot stalk can typically provide enough material for two rods.

“The thing about bamboo is that it is strong as steel,” Gordon explained. “You can use a bamboo rod to catch trout or to go deep sea fishing. If used incorrectly, it’s as easy to break graphite as it is bamboo.”

Gordon said the average pole takes him about 50 hours to craft.

“I can build about any rod, taper, cork shape or reel seat,” Gordon said. “It’s all customizable.”

“EACH PERSON IS AN INDIVIDUAL, SO EACH PERSON GETS A UNIQUE FLY ROD.” -- Gordon Roller

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

21

OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

22

Some favored woods used to house the reel include walnut, burled oak, bird’s eye maple and other species of hardwoods. He uses German silver or aluminum for the reel seat.

Gordon uses a variety of threads to anchor the line guides onto the pole and has yet to duplicate a custom-made fly rod.

“Each person is an individual,” Gordon said. “So each person gets a unique fly rod.”

A local woman makes the soft cloth bag the rod is stored in, which in turn is placed inside a metal tube for transporting the rod to and from a favorite fishing hole.

“Each customer gets a rod tube,” Gordon said. “Other than trying to hook a fish the wrong way, the worst causes of damage to a fly rod come from being shut in car doors or stepped on.

“There is also a trick to landing a fish so it won’t break your rod, but a lot of people don’t know it,” Gordon said. “I repair a lot of rods every year.”

Gordon stays busy during the spring, summer and fall making repairs to fishing rods that find their way into his hands from all across the country.

“I make a lot of custom rods during that time too,” he said, “but I build a lot of rods in the winter. I don’t watch a lot of television, and this is my retreat.”

Tim Homesley, local fly fishing expert who owns and operates Tim’s Fly Shop in Cassville, carries Gordon’s custom-made rods and swears by them.

“I have been fishing some of Gordon’s bamboo rods for several years now, and his rods are as nice as a lot of rods selling for over $1,500,” said Tim. “Most people don’t really understand how much time and work it takes to build a rod from scratch. His rods are made one by one; no rod is alike.”

Tim also loves the idea of buying fly rods from a local artist.

“His rods fish well, as well as many rods costing twice as much,” said Tim. “I think in a few years when his name is out there among the public, you’ll see his rods getting progressively more expensive.

“His rods are custom rods that will make the most discriminating fisherman very happy,” added Tim. Gordon also ties flies and crappy jigs for his own personal use.

“I love being able to get out on the water,” he said. “I enjoy hunting, kayaking, hiking and boating. But I love fishing.”

Roller’s custom-built rods sell for $595 for a single tip and $750 for a double tip.

For more information, e-mail groller@ centurytel.net or call 417-847-0139.

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

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Civil War battlefield hiking trails n WILSON’S CREEK NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD Photo courtesy of Springfield, MO Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

n PRAIRIE GROVE BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK

BY BET H BART L E T T

S

ome hiking trails highlight the natural beauty of the Ozarks, while others mark the area’s history. A visit to any of the area’s Civil War battlefields will give you both and connect you on a deeper level with the culture and heritage of Missouri and Arkansas.

If you prefer more information than quiet meditation, both national battlefields offer cell phone tours, so you can slap on that Bluetooth and learn about each site as you exercise.

Trails range from one mile to several miles, and all trails are either paved or well marked.

Maps and other essential information are listed on each destination’s website.

Pea Ridge Battlefield

Springfield, Missouri http://www.nps.gov/wicr/index.htm 417-732-2662, ext. 227 A hard-fought Confederate victory at Wilson’s Creek on Aug. 10, 1861, made both sides take a harder look at the front west of the Mississippi River. This battle was the first major clash westward, but smaller battles around the area, including Carthage, built tensions between the North and the South beforehand. The battlefield is open every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. While there is a 4.9-mile paved road for driving tours, there are also five different walking trails, which take off from the main road. Each trail is less than a mile and mixes pristine natural beauty with historic meaning.

There’s also a larger trail system in the park geared toward hikers and those on horseback.

Garfield, Arkansas http://www.nps.gov/peri/index.htm • 479-451-8122, ext. 227 While Wilson’s Creek was a win for the Confederates, the tide turned at Pea Ridge, just 20 minutes west of Rogers, Arkansas. On March 7 and 8, 1862, one of the most important battles of the Civil War was fought here with 26,000 soldiers. At the bloody end, the battle of Pea Ridge won Missouri back for the Union. Today, this battlefield is one of the best-preserved sites from the Civil War with 4,800 acres of wilderness and wide open prairies. The park grounds are open Monday through Saturday, although the Visitor’s Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Hours for the grounds are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and hikers can enjoy a seven-mile trail. There’s also a nine-mile trail for riders on horseback, and a seven-mile driving road.

25

http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/ prairiegrovebattlefield/ 479-846-2990 After the battle of Pea Ridge, there was one last major conflict fought on Dec. 7, 1862, in northwest Arkansas at Prairie Grove. Neither side claimed a definitive

victory, and 2,700 men were killed in battle. While the war roared on to other areas, skirmishes continued for years between regional neighbors loyal to either side. Also extremely well preserved as a historical area, Prairie Grove battlefield features several historic buildings. The mile-long Butterfield Trail loop is marked with 12 interpretive panels along the path, and there’s also a five-mile driving tour road, and a mile-long geocache tour as well.

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park

AN E SSAY B Y SHEI LA HARRIS

Female writer enrolls in conceal and carry class

26

OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

I

don’t have a natural affinity for guns.

I do, however, strongly support our constitutional right to bear arms. I like the fact that I live in a state where it’s legal to carry a concealed weapon. I want responsible gun owners around me for my protection. But then I wondered, why should I expect my neighbor to protect me with his gun, if I’m not willing to do the same for him?

This thought prompted my recent enrollment in a conceal and carry class. I want to become comfortable with guns because I can. Today, I have that right.

Apparently, I am not the only one so motivated. According to instructor Deputy Keith Brumfield, of the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, interest in his class has increased so dramatically since January 1 of this year that he now teaches a weekly class filled to near capacity, instead of his previous monthly sessions.

Although I had committed to taking the class, nerves, in the form of a sick stomach, nearly bested me on the short drive to Diamond, Missouri, where the

class was offered. The thought of loading and shooting a handgun, especially with others watching me, was extremely intimidating.

The class consisted of an even mix of women and men, all looking more confident than I felt. After the requisite classroom hours, which covered safety, cleaning and safe storage of firearms, we set out for the firing range.

An applicant must demonstrate his or her firearms aptitude to a certified instructor by firing a combined total of 140 rounds from a revolver and a semiautomatic handgun at a human silhouette target from a distance of 21 feet, with acceptable accuracy.

Deputy Brumfield provided both types of guns for students to use, as well as the necessary ammunition and ear protection. However, if students preferred, they could use their own firearms, which many did.

Because I wanted to observe the others, and yes, was reluctant to shoot, I waited until last to take my turn. A couple

of other women were as inexperienced as I was, but Deputy Brumfield patiently worked with each of us until we felt confident with each type of gun.

After I had fired several shots, I began to relax and found I actually enjoyed the challenge of improving my marksmanship.

Although my bullets didn’t hit the orange bulls-eye consistently, I did manage to keep them on the target.

Completion of the course marked a milestone of sorts for me -- a practical one, more than a source of pride.

As a friend told me, “For a woman, a gun is a great equalizer, and every woman should know how to use one.”

I now do, and I can. Still, although I understand that a gun can be a useful tool, it’s a tool I hope I’ll never have to use.

information: More

For more information on Brumfield’s Missouri Conceal & Carry Class,

call 417-325-7628.

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IT ALL STARTS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE. WE ALL MAKE THAT LAST TOAST AS THE BALL DROPS IN TIMES SQUARE, AND WE TELL OURSELVES, “THIS IS THE YEAR I’M GOING TO GET IN SHAPE. I’M GOING TO HIT THE GYM AND EAT RIGHT.” Finding the type of exercise that I could really love is what ultimately made the difference for me. I would never have thought that my key to health and wellbeing would come in the form of a bicycle -- not just any bicycle, but more specifically a road bike.

As spring rolls around and the flowers start to bloom, people naturally want to get out and do more. The choices of what you can do to get yourself moving are endless.

I would encourage you to consider looking back to your childhood. Remember when your main mode of transportation was your bike? That kind of escape is still available to you on top of two wheels.

But what kind of wheels should you look for? Believe it or not, there are lots of different kinds of bikes, and they all have different purposes. What follows are just a few of the bicycles that you may come across in your neighborhood or local bike store. As you get a feel for what’s out there, ask yourself, “Does this sound like the bike for me?”

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TIME TRIAL BIKES are the cream of the crop. As a group, they are the most expensive that you can buy. They are built for one reason -- to go fast. Time trial bikes have tons of technology in them to make them fast, light and super aerodynamic.

These are very specialized bikes that are quite uncomfortable for a novice -- not the bike for a recreational rider.

Finding the right bike for you!

BY R IC H A R D REED

ROAD BIKES are probably the first thing that pops into your head when you think of cycling. Though also quite fast in terms of speed, road bikes are built with a certain amount of comfort in mind. The hallmark ram’s horn-shaped handlebars allow the rider to change positions for different road conditions throughout a race. These bikes have narrow wheels and thin tires to reduce drag and increase speed. This is the bike commonly used by recreational and professional riders alike.

MOUNTAIN BIKES are just as they sound, designed to ride up mountains.

They can go just about anywhere. Typically, mountain bikes are geared to allow for some very steep climbing. This style of bike is characterized by wide wheels with knobby tires that can handle larger rocks, mud and just about anything else.

Modern mountain bikes come with a partial or full suspension. A partial suspension mountain bike will have shock absorbers in the front fork of the bike. A full suspension mountain bike will also have a rear end that moves independently of the frame and is attached by another shock absorber, and may even have another shock in the seat post to help dissipate all of the energy that comes from flying through the air and landing on a giant rock. Their ability to handle any terrain makes mountain bikes very popular with recreational riders.

29

A HYBRID is somewhere in the middle between a road bike and a mountain bike.

The typical hybrid has very little if any suspension. It has wheels that are wider than a road bike but narrower than a mountain bike. Their tires typically have some tread but aren’t really designed for big rocks or heavy gravel. They often have a flat bar handlebar like a mountain bike, offering a more upright and comfortable position than a road bike. The idea of a hybrid bike is to offer the best of both worlds -- more speed like a road bike but more off-road control like a mountain bike.

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

A CYCLOCROSS BIKE is a road bike designed to ride in the mud. It is characterized by handlebars similar to a road bike but with a little wider, knobby tire designed for off-road riding. Cyclocross races often purposely include mud and gravel along with barriers to force the rider to get off and carry their bike. This is also a specialized bike that is not well suited for the casual recreational rider.

Richard Reed is an avid amateur cyclist logging 6,000-plus miles a year on his road bike. Several years ago a mid-life change had him move from total couch potato to major fitness advocate. He is an AFAA-certified group fitness instructor and Mad Dogg-certified spinning instructor who currently works as an instructor for Cox Monett Hospital’s spinning program at the Monett YMCA.

CRUISER BIKES are a lot like an adult version of that first bike you had as a kid -- the one with coaster brakes that meant you only had to push back on the pedals to slow down. Cruisers have no gears to shift, no cables for shifters or brakes and wider wheels and tires with tread that has grip. The wide tire with no knobs provides for a smooth ride. You don’t see a lot of cruisers in the Ozarks, because they’re really best where it’s flat. With no gears, these bikes are incredibly hard to ride up hills.

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the types of bicycles out there, and you can always find a bike that doesn’t easily fit into one of these categories. For example, many triathletes don’t ride pure time trial bikes but rather use road bikes that have aero bars to give them some aerodynamic advantage while keeping some of the comfort of the road bike.

There are also recumbent bikes where you basically lie down and pedal with your feet out in front of you. Then there are bikes built for multiple persons in just about all of these categories.

With so many choices, here are a few questions that you might want to ask yourself as you search for that perfect ride.

1

HOW OFTEN AND HOW FAR DO YOU WANT TO RIDE?

I ask this question, because this may help you determine where to look for a bike. If you want to ride your bike a couple of miles, then you might check out what’s available at your local big box store like Walmart or Target. It’s hard to beat the cost that these stores can deliver, but that comes with its own price. If you don’t plan on riding much, these bikes will probably be fine for you.

One problem that you may find with big box stores is that they generally carry only one size of any particular bike. YES, bikes come in different sizes. If you are of average size, this might work for you. If you are short or tall or have longer or shorter than average legs or torso, you may find it hard to find a bike that is comfortable for you.

Another major issue to consider is that bicycles are machines with many parts, and as you use them, cables stretch, derailers get knocked out of line, and just about anything can get broken under the right conditions. If you plan on riding very much, you will have problems. Purchasing your bike from a local bike shop will do a lot to ease that pain. Bike stores always work on the bikes they sell, and their employees are very educated and can help you find the right bike that really fits your body.

That being said, buying a brand name bike from a bike shop is going to cost quite a bit more than your local big box store, but remember, you also get much more for your money. As a new rider, your local bike shop can point you to places to ride, groups to join and where to get anything that you need for your new hobby. The bikes are also built to last. An entry level bike from any bike shop, along with some regular maintenance, should last you for years.

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO RIDE?

2

I would estimate that 90 percent or more of you reading this article will be best suited for a road bike, mountain bike, cruiser or hybrid.

First, the cruisers. If you live in an urban area with very few hills or are riding predominantly in a small area that is flat, like say downtown Joplin or Springfield, this may be the perfect bike for you. However, if you want to ride any hills, this is going to be quite a challenge.

Second, the road bikers. Have you ever wanted to see if you could ride a bike 50 or more miles in a day? Do you like dressing in colorful spandex and have a passion for speed? This might be the bike

for you. Road bikes are good for speed and distance. Currently, the most I have ridden in a single day is 113 miles. It was supposed to be 100, but we made a couple of wrong turns that added some miles. For me, there is something special about being able to get on your bike and ride to the next town for coffee with friends.

Next, the mountain bikers. If you like getting a little dirty and taking the road less traveled, then a mountain bike is probably for you. Strap on a Camelback and ride out into the woods with some buddies and take that mountain bike to the top of the overlook that takes hours to hike. The mountain bike is all about adventure.

And finally, the hybrid. Like I said, the idea behind the hybrid is to offer the best of both worlds. Thicker wheels and treaded tires make trails like the Frisco Highline or Katy Trail more navigable than they would be on a road bike. At the same time, hybrids don’t sacrifice all the speed that is lost to a fat knobby tire on a mountain bike. The entry level cost for a hybrid is generally less than that of a good road or mountain bike.

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SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

If there is a group of people you want to ride with, find out what they ride. This is a cautionary note for those who may see the cost of a hybrid as a good selling point.

If you want to ride with a local group and they all ride road bikes, you aren’t going to be able to keep up with them on a hybrid.

This is also true of friends with mountain bikes. If you want to ride local trails with your buddies who have mountain bikes, a hybrid won’t make it there either. They will be able to go places you can’t, and you won’t be able to keep up. In my opinion, hybrids often sacrifice the best of both bikes. They don’t have the speed to cover as much ground as road bikes, nor the agility to make it through the territory that a mountain bike can conquer.

I hope this has given you some direction or at least some good questions to ask your local bike dealer as you shop for your wheels. I love riding my road bike, but as I write this, I may have talked myself into considering a mountain bike as well. My bike has done a lot to help keep my healthy lifestyle on track. I know that each New Year’s Eve, when I make that promise to myself, that my bike is there in the garage, waiting for the next trip. Hope to see you all out on the road or trail sometime!

HWY 39”

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

Email your story idea to editor@monett-times.com

GIFTS • ANTIQUES • GARDEN ART • Unique gifts for all occasions • Give heirloom gifts for weddings and anniversaries that INCREASE in value • Heirloom antiques, china, silver, and linens • Gift Baskets made for any occasion: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, teachers, gardeners, friends, etc.

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WEATHER AWARENESS

You need to know for spring

Spring weather is notorious for being unpredictable, from flash floods to tornadoes. Whether you’re camping for a week or out for a day hike, make sure you have either a weather radio or severe weather-related app, such as The Weather Channel or Weatherbug, on your phone and keep it charged.

PHOTOGRAPHY When taking snapshots of those spring flowers, avoid bright lighting if possible.

If there’s a couple of clouds floating around, wait for a cloudy moment to take the picture so the flower will truly “pop” in the shot. Also, check your display to make sure you’re leaving enough room around the subject in the photo. If you’re on a nature path while photographing those blooms, be aware of your surroundings as well; you don’t want to stumble into poison ivy or surprise an animal out on the trail.

Going camping? Campground reservations can be made at U.S. Corps of Engineers/Beaver Lake parks from May 17-September 15. At Table Rock Lake State Park, campground 1 is open all year, while campground 2 is open March-November. Some federally funded campgrounds are feeling the effects of budget cuts, so check with any park before you show up, or make reservations at www.recreation.gov.

If you plan to fish in Arkansas or Missouri, you’ll need a fishing license. In Missouri, a daily fishing license costs $7. In Arkansas, a non-resident 3-day fishing license costs $11. There are also special permits needed for trout, annual permits available, and more. You can usually buy the basic version at many retail stores near the lake. For more info, visit www.agfc.com or mdc.mo.gov/permits.

Remember the essentials when heading out into nature: plenty of water, the right equipment (such as hiking boots or an extra pair of dry socks) and a way to communicate with the outside world if an

emergency happens. An extra battery for your phone is always smart, too, but the most important essential item? Common sense. If something doesn’t sound like a good idea, don’t do it.

33

ESSENTIALS

FISHING

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

CAMPING

34

OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

BY BET H BA RT L E T T

Open-air Meditation Sanctuary

M

any walking trails in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, revolve around historic sites or homes, but one is dedicated to the sheer beauty and peace of nature.

The Open-air Meditation Sanctuary (known locally as the OM Sanctuary) is a naturally landscaped meditation park located off Rock House Road on

Highway 62, just a few minutes from downtown.

The one-mile trail winds through a field and forest area and has several stops, so visitors can take a break and meditate. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours on the walking path, just enjoying the birdsong and connecting with nature in a relaxed setting.

That’s the true purpose of the site, according to Heidi Smith, director of the OM Sanctuary, a project of the Center for Soulful Living.

“It’s a place that’s really dedicated to meditation,” she said. “When I’m sitting at a regular park meditating, I feel out of place. When you come to the OM Sanctuary, it’s the opposite.

People can walk or sit, spend hours doing it and not feel they’re intruding on a regular park space.”

While visitors are welcome to

the site anytime during daylight hours, the sanctuary can also be reserved for special events such as weddings or school trips.

“We encourage other teachers and groups to come out here and use the sanctuary for their own purposes,” said Smith. “I’ll often see someone getting married out in the sanctuary or the schools bringing local children out for a walk.”

There are also scheduled celebrations marking each equinox and solstice. The next event coming up will be the Summer Solstice from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 21.

The solstice celebration is a time to share all the pleasures of life, including good food and music, said Smith.

Many come informally to see what the event is all about, but some also bring vegan snacks and musical

“We encourage other teachers and groups to come out here and use the sanctuary for their own purposes. I’ll often see someone getting married out in the sanctuary or the schools bringing local children out for a walk.”

-- Heidi Smith, OM Sanctuary Director

Sanctuary, follow 62 East to Rock House Road, next to the ECHO Thrift Store. Follow Rock House Road to a left turn on County Road 3027. For further detailed directions and a Google Map, visit the OMS site at www.28rites.com. You can also find more information at http:// www.facebook.com/OMS.Eureka.

35

only a pair of flip-flops needed for a couple of rough spots. Many people have never experienced walking barefoot on the earth, and this is an excellent opportunity to do so in a safe environment.

The sanctuary is kept pest free thanks to regular applications of diatomaceous earth, a powder made from soft, siliceous sedimentary rock, which makes an excellent organic insecticide.

Scenery and meditation opportunities along the sanctuary path occasionally change with the seasons, but for those who feel they need a new challenge, Smith revealed there is a second, unmarked, milelong trail on the grounds, which also has its own meditation sites.

“I leave it as a secret for people to discover,” she said.

To find the Open-air Meditation

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

instruments to make the day truly merry. The evening is devoted to reclaiming the Divine Masculine in each person so they can manifest their dreams. The Divine Feminine is celebrated earlier in the year, during the Spring Equinox.

Coming up later in the year is the Autumn Equinox, which will be marked from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, celebrating the harvest, maturity and wisdom, and the Winter Solstice from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 21. The last event of the year includes a torchlight walk along the meditation path, weather permitting, and the chance for visitors to share their dreams and goals for the New Year.

The path at the OM sanctuary is unpaved, and Smith noted that those working there are evolving it to be a barefoot-friendly zone, with

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THE MENTAL GAME

OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

38

Novice climber takes it outside

I

t’s a beautiful and brisk Saturday morning in the northwest Arkansas Ozarks. Hiking parallel to pristine Lincoln Lake near Siloam Springs, my boyfriend Jake and I and a few of our friends look up into the sky and notice the sun peeking over sandstone bluffs. Jacob glances back at our tall friend Joe, who bears a striking resemblance to Christopher McCandless, the infamous adventurer from “Into the Wild” fame.

“This look like a good spot,” shouts Jacob. Joe glances up and only smiles. This means “yes.”

We drop our backpacks and start putting on our gear. I lace up my special climbing shoes that are incredibly uncomfortable to walk in but tight enough to grip almost any type of rock. Next, comes the harness. As I slip into my shiny, new belt, I can’t help but re-check myself every 30 seconds to make sure all the loops are in the right place and the straps are pulled tight. Finally, I clip on my chalk bag.

As Jake is digging through his bag to find carabiners and his belaying device, I stand with my hands on my hips and look

up at these bluffs that tower over the lake. I imagine how adventurous my free-spirited self looks right about now. Confident.

Outdoorsy. Independent. What others can’t see is how scared I really am.

For you see, I am fairly new to the climbing community. I’ve been pursuing this sport for a couple years now, but normally, I perform this activity in the safety of a heated gym. This will be the first time I actually climb in the wild outdoors.

Before arriving at the site, Jacob reminded me about the proper commands that must occur between the climber and belayer. Having come from the challenge course world, Jacob’s and Joe’s foundation

BY H E I DI D O U GL A S

for rock climbing is SAFETY. The correct climbing commands are: “On belay?” asked by the climber followed by “belay on,” shouted by the belayer. “Climbing?” means the climber is asking if they are safe to climb, which is followed by “climb on” if the answer is yes.

39

climbing seems to be getting harder, but soon I get into a flow where I feel as if it’s just me and the rock. This “flow” is actually a psychological term used in the positive psychology field. Flow occurs when an activity you truly enjoy meets the very challenging, difficult experience that one is working toward. It serves to increase your focus while conquering a challenging task.

Finally, I reach the top of the bluff, sit back in my harness, and let the experience sink deeply into my bones. The lake is right below me, I see my group waving up at me, and I feel humbled. I realize that rock climbing is not just a simple, automatic process involving your arms and legs, but it is actually an exhausting, complex endeavor that also involves your mind.

As I’m lowered down, I receive the approval of the group, which comes with casual pats on the back and a “you’re in dude!” Though I probably only climbed at a 5.6 level, I still climbed outside, and for this, I am considered a more dedicated climber.

To me, rock climbing is about experiencing God’s creation by interacting with it. It’s about communing with other individuals who appreciate the same aspects of life that I enjoy, such as simplicity, the outdoors and activities that challenge my mind, body and spirit. Climbers come in all shapes and sizes, and I’m now proud to be a member of this unique community.

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

As I hear Jacob say “climb on,” I look down at my hands and see glistening sweat.

I place my fingers into my chalk bag and then rub my hands together, making my once sweaty fingers stick easily to the rock.

I take my first step up. As I look around, Jacob shouts “Look for the shadows in the rock face. Where there’s shadows, there’s a hold.” The hand holds in the gym are smooth and come in bright colors, so the route is easy to find. Real rock? It’s rough, jagged, and sharp. I guess one doesn’t think about the rock’s texture until they’re gripping onto it with everything they have.

As I continue the ascent, I realize how impressed I am with my climbing shoes. The rubber soles grip onto the tiniest holds on the rock face and allow my feet to wedge into the cracks, which gives my arms a break.

I look down, and below me, there are five little dots that used to be people. I look behind me and see a grand view of the lake -- a sight that only a rock climber has the privilege of seeing -- an adventurer’s paradise. My hands are getting numb from the cold, insulating my fingertips from the pain. My mind is beginning to look for the shadows instead of colored holds, and I think I’m getting the hang of this, no pun intended.

I soon discover I’m only halfway up the bluff and am overcome with exhaustion.

My arms hurt; my legs feel like jelly. The

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

This multi-functional utility light resembles an iPod Shuffle. A magnetic clip easily attaches the light to your shirt, hat or tent pocket and is a great alternative to a headlamp.

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151 Spring Street • Eureka Springs, Arkansas • Wed. - Sat. 9-5 Phone: 479-253-0900 or 479-466-6095 Fax: 479-253-0901

SPRING 2013 OZARKS OUTDOORS

Come shop our selection of specialized road and mountain bikes. Or spend a day enjoying the lakes and rivers in a new or rented kayak.

Plus, all the gear needed to enjoy your day on the trails, pedaling around town or on the water.

takeyourpic OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2013

t

42

t

CARDINALS IN THE SNOW OUTSIDE A HOME IN SHELL KNOB, MISSOURI. PHOTO

BY BRENNA PENDERGRAFT

THIS PHOTO OF A WHITETAIL DOE WAS CAPTURED BY DOUG PHILLIPS, OF MONETT, WHILE HE WAS HIKING IN THE LAKESIDE FOREST WILDERNESS AREA IN BRANSON.

SUNRISE OVERLOOKING BEAVER LAKE TAKEN AT WHITNEY MOUNTAIN CHAPEL BY DELL TYSON, OF ROGERS, ARKANSAS.

In each issue of Ozarks Outdoors, we want to feature nature photographs taken and submitted by our readers. To submit nature photos for our spring edition of Ozarks Outdoors, send your high resolution images to editor@monett-times.com.

At a Honda Powerhouse dealer, you’ll find everything Honda has to offer, in stock and ready to ride. Plus, we offer a great selection of Honda Genuine Accessories and Genuine Honda Parts. Our service Techs have a combined 60 years experience servicing Honda Powersports products. Stop in today for a tour from one of our expert staff members, meet the Revell family and experience the Honda Powerhouse difference. All Honda. All The Time. honda.com MODELS SHOWN ARE ONLY FOR DRIVERS/RIDERS 16 YEARS AND OLDER. For all models shown: Always wear a helmet, eye protec ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ¡¢ £¢¤ ¥ ¦§¨ ¡§© ¥¥§ª¦§¦ ª¨« ¬ ¡ ®¯ ¨« §° §¡®§ª©§¦ ¡®¦§¡ ±² «§£¡ ¬ £¯§ £ª¦ ¨¦§¡ ©¡¬³´µ¡ ® ®ª¢§ª¦§¦ ¬ ¡ ©¨ §¦¶© ·¡ § §¡£¢® ª ª¨« ¥·¨¢®¶ ·¡ § ·¢®¨®¢« ¤§ ®©¨§ ©£ª § £¸£¡¦ · ¢ §¡£¢§ £¨¹£« ¹§£¡ « ·¡ §£¢ §¨¢º £ª¦ §§ ¢ § ®¦§ ª§¢ £ª¦ ¦ ¡ ©¨ §¦ £¤ ®¦ §°©§ ®¤§ §§¦ £ª¦ § ©£¡§¬·¨ ª ¦®¬¬®©·¨¢ ¢§¡¡£®ª £¨¨ ¥·¤ ¦¡®¤§¡ ·¨¦ ¹£¢© ¢ § £¬§¢« ¤®¦§ »¥·¨¢® ·¡ § ·¢®¨®¢« ¤§ ®©¨§ ¼ £ ¯·®¦§ ¢ £¬§ §¡£¢® ª½ ª§¤§¡ ¦¡®¤§ ·ª¦§¡ ¢ § ®ª¬¨·§ª©§ ¬ ¦¡·¯ ¡ £¨© ¨º ª · ¨®© ¡ £¦ ¡ ¹®¢ ¥ ¡§ ¢ £ª ª§ £ §ª¯§¡ ¦¡®¤§¡ £ª¦ £ §ª¯§¡ ¥· ¢ § ¢£¨¨ §ª ·¯ ¬ ¡ §£¢ §¨¢ ¢ ¬®¢ ¡ §¡¨« £ª¦ ¢ ¡£©§ ¢ §¥ §¨¤§ ¹®¢ ¢ ¬§§¢ ¬®¡¥¨« ª ¢ § ¬¨ ¡ £ §ª¯§¡ ¥· ¢ § £ ¨§ ¢ ¯¡£ ¢ § £ª¦ ¨¦ ¹®¢ ¢ § §£¢ §¨¢ ª £ª¦ ¢ ¬§§¢ ª ¢ § ¬¨ ¡ ¡§ §©¢ ¢ § §ª¤®¡ ª¥§ª¢ ¹ §ª ¦¡®¤®ª¯ ¡§¥§¥ §¡º £¢¤ ©£ª § £¸£¡¦ · ¢ §¡£¢§ ¬ ¡ « ·¡ £¬§¢«º ª§¤§¡ ¡®¦§ ª £¤§¦ ·¡¬£©§ ¡ · ¨®© ¡ £¦ ¬ ­ ­ ­ ­ ¾ ­ ­ ¾ ­ ­ ­ º £¢¤ ¾ ® ­ ±¶¿µµ¶¿¿À¶Á¿¿À µ±Ã±ÄÅ

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A HEAVY FOG DESCENDED ON HOLLA BEND NATIONAL WILDLIFE PARK NEAR RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS, DURING AN EARLY MORNING BIRD COUNT. PHOTO BY DELL TYSON, OF ROGERS, ARKANSAS

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CONNIE YOTT, OF MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA, TOOK THIS PICTURE OF AN EAGLE NEAR WAR EAGLE CAVERN ON HER WAY HOME FROM A WEEKEND IN EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS.

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With Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, more interior space and an available power rear gate, there’s a whole lot to love about the all-new 2014 Subaru Forester.Ž With Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, more interior space and an available power rear gate, there’s a whole lot to love about the all-new 2014 Subaru Forester.Ž

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Subaru, Forester, Outback, Tribeca, Legacy, Impreza, WRX, STI and SUBARU BOXER are registered trademarks. 1The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) (airbags) affords the driver and the front and 2EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5i CVT models. Actual mileage may vary. rear outboard passengers additional protection in moderate to severe frontal and side-impact collisions. This system provides supplemental protection only, and seatbelts must be worn in order to avoid infuries to out-of-position occupants upon bag deployment and to provide the best combined protection in a serious accident. Children should always be properly restrained in the rear seat.

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