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SUMMER 2015
Contents
25
What’s Inside
20 25
Easy Riders
Boarding experts give us a sick wake-shredding demo
The Natural State
Experiencing the beauty found within Arkansas’ borders
29 36
From Pramping to Glamping YURT gonna love it
The Other Four-Letter Word
Taking advantage of Hot Springs Village’s optimum golfing experience
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10
ART
Creative Director Marisa Rodgers
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COPY
Contributing Writers Mike Brooks Jeremy Mackey Kai Coggin T. Porter Montgomery J. L. James Josh Williams Copy Editors Grace Brown
P H OTO
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Chief Photographer/Photo Editor Jeremy Rodgers Contributing Photographers Chris Sale Amanda Shelley Ledbetter
Departments New to the Ouachitas
Glance Back
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40
Mystic Creatures
A summer topiary art display at Garvan Woodland Gardens
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Rollin’ through the High Country taking the long way home
In Each Issue Little Penguin Tacos Locally sourced and garden fresh
Cooking Campside Delicious meals, no kitchen needed
Music & Arts
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16
6
Peace in the Valley
Historic Hot Springs: A sacred and neutral ground
Longboarding
Fare
12
J. L. James
Leavin’ this City
Award winning musician Melissa Carper is heaven-sent and Arkansas bound
Riley Art Glass
West Coast transplants heat up a studio in the heart of the Ouachitas
O u ac h i ta Hi gh C ou nt r y
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18 42
Letter from the Editors
Summertime in the Ouachitas
Calendar of Events
What’s Happening This Summer
In Your Words
Reader’s Submission: Sweet Magnolias by Grace Brown
S A L ES
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L e t t e r F r o m t h e E d i t o rS
Summertime in the Ouachitas
Like the state itself, summer in Arkansas is synonymous with opportunity, an open door to possibility. Between the bookends of summer – Memorial Day, when we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and Labor Day, when we take time to reflect on the hard work our country was built upon – the Ouachita National Forest is inundated with visitors from all over the world who come to seize the opportunity to enjoy the area in all its natural splendor. Of course Hot Springs National Park is a destination place. Historic Bath House Row, the natural steaming water babbling into the pools in Arlington Park, the Promenade, the wonderful food, scenic West Mountain – all of these attractions help to make Hot Springs a magnet for people wanting to get away from the grind and appreciate the finer, yet simple things this great state has to offer. But summer in the Ouachitas presents us with much more possibility than you can find in the city. In this issue we explore the outskirts of town, highlighting attractions off the beaten path and even indulge in some risk taking. We show you an eatery, located around the bend from magnificent Lake Degray, owned and operated by a young nativeto-Arkansas entrepreneur who embodies the spirit of the Ouachita High Country. We profile a country singer who’s “Arkansas Bound” like much of America in the summer. With 10 lakes, a continuous schedule of outdoor events and eight golf courses, Hot Springs Village is rapidly becoming one of the hottest spots for recreation in the area – we take a swing at one of the newest additions to The Village’s already rich golf culture. We go just a few miles north of The Village, but well off the grid, to reveal one of the most beautiful places to sleep under the stars. Then we include those of you who are less in touch with nature, and show you spots for some of the best glamping. And finally we get an inside look at one of the more extreme ways you can spend your time on the 14 lakes that lie between Arkadelphia and Hot Springs Village: wakeboarding. We – most sincerely – hope you have as much fun with this issue as we did. Thank you for reading. Ou a c hit a H ighCo u ntr y .com
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NE W TO T H E O U A C H I T A S
Mystic Creatures
Step outside and you can feel it: summer has hit the Natural State. Kids are looking for something to do that excites their eyes and inspires their imaginations. Parents are looking for affordable and meaningful adventures for their kids. Well, take out your fairy-dust-sprinkled binoculars and look no further than the “Mystic Creatures: Topiary Art Takes Flight” exhibit at Garvan Woodland Gardens. After record attendance of “Mystic Creatures” last year, 2015 brings even more interaction, color and imagination to the exhibit. Each living and growing display is made of thousands of brightly colored annuals planted in intricate mosaiclike patterns on steel super-structures, sculpted by the Garden’s artisan welders, who have honed their skills creating the renowned “Holiday Lights.” People young and old can walk through the Gardens to
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experience the fascination and excitement while reveling in botanical envy of each of the “mosaiculture” topiary figures, built by GWG staff led by Becca Ohman, James Scallion and Chester Morphew. It is just something you have to see for yourself. Fairy sprinkles of golden light have been seen spiraling over the Gardens since early May, signaling the coming of some kind of phantasmagorical botanical wonder brewing in the deep forests of Garvan Woodland Gardens. The waterfalls whispered something to the wind, the song trickled through the mossy stones and Voila! – the “Mystic Creatures” appeared! A family of seven “Marching Amantia Mushrooms,” ranging from 3 to 6 feet tall, greets you as you enter the Gardens, and they have started a migration up to the promenade to welcome all the
A summer topiary art display at Garvan Woodland Gardens by Kai Coggin photography by Amanda Shelley Ledbetter
summer visitors. 2,940 plants make up the mushroom caps. They sit on stems made of native oak trunks gathered from the Gardens. This initial, whimsical topiary display invites you to march right alongside them down the path, to see what other magic awaits. As you continue your journey into the gardens, you spot a gigantic, yet elusive figure. People throughout history have called him many names: Bigfoot, sasquatch, yeti, the abominable snowman — the list goes on. He is a large, hairy, half-man, half-apelike creature who has been shrouded in mystery and myth for ages. His footprints form paths throughout the Gardens, his size 26 steps impossible to overlook. Standing at 13 feet tall and made up of 3,100 Carex Toffee Twist plants, this
behemoth “is so gentle and kind that the kids he meets from time to time have named him Jolly Roger!” writes Becca Ohman, Director of Operations at GWG. “Roger is really shy and mostly keeps to himself during the day. He’s nocturnal, coming out at night to look for leaves, berries, and juicy roots that he likes to eat.” This year, visitors may even hear the mysterious call of the Sasquatch at dusk, echoing through the pines.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. With 9,770 Burgundy Thread, Yellow Joseph’s Coat and Magic Wizard Coleus plants, “Seraphina” the Phoenix was born of fire. She is a majestic creature whose name means “burning flame.” Her magnificent 20-foot fiery wingspan and gentle expression are a sight to behold. It’s no wonder she has become the “Guardian of the Garden Birds” and the wandering Garden peacocks call her their friend.
As you move through the park, you can expect to find other topiary treasures, including the “Fairy Gourdmother Playhouse” – a giant ornamental gourd that acts as a shelter for children to play in, made up of 4,450 Chocolate Chip Ajuga and Yellow Joseph’s Coat plants. Also, you may come upon the actual “Fairy Village,” where you can witness the tiny wonder of these magical divas at work. The minuscule cottages, the fairy chapel, and the wing emporium give you an elfin glimpse into the tiny world of these invisible forest helpers.
Finally, in the enchanted wonderland of the Children’s Gardens, you will see a giant thatched nest, wherein lies three colossal eggs of an unknown mysterious topiary creature. The heat of the sun will incubate these eggs and keep them warm over the summer months. They are set to hatch in 2016.
The pieces range from the miniscule to the gigantic: 40-foot sea serpent, “‘Roarin’ Rodric’ (Scots Gaelic for ‘famous ruler’) is the largest piece in ‘Mystic Creatures,’ providing a lot of excitement with his giant dinosaur-like hood, arched neck, and tail armed with a sharp spade-pointed fin,” Ohman describes. The sea serpent slithers up and down through the grassy terrain, made up of over 3,400 plants in blue, red, bronze, yellow and burgundy. Stand back, because he gets a little huffy and smoke blows out of his nose several times a day.
There is so much fun and excitement to be had this summer at Garvan Woodland Gardens, where the “Mystic Creatures” will roam until August 31. Marketing Director Sherre Freeman said, “We are open every day this summer, including the 4th of July, from 9-6. Families are welcome to bring Fido and a picnic to enjoy seeing the topiaries, as well as the Gardens’ waterfalls, bridges, flowers, caves, model train garden, and more. The Chipmunk Café serves made-toorder sandwiches, salads and wraps every day from 11 to 3 p.m.” Plan your next affordable summer adventure at GWG today, and let your imagination take flight.
Lunch
Wed-Fri 11am - 2pm
Dinner
Tues-Thurs 5pm-9pm Fri-Sat 5pm - 10pm
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NE W TO T H E O U A C H I T A S
Longboarding
“Two hundred years of American technology has unwittingly created a massive cement playground of unlimited potential, but it was the minds of 11 year olds who could see that potential.” - Craig Stecyk 1975 We like well-ordered things. It’s part of our nature to categorize and organize the world around us into nice neat little boxes. Experiencing the outdoors and nature is not immune from this phenomenon. More often than not we think of going outside as this ethereal and profound experience in some remote location in which we learn a valuable lesson. I get caught in this trap all too often and sometimes all it takes to snap me out of that mindset is to take a simple walk through the woods. For some, however, this quick escape from everyday life doesn’t happen on two feet but on four wheels.
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Rollin’ through the High Country, taking the long way home by Jeremy Mackey photography by Jeremy Rodgers
It’s no secret that a certain stigma is attached to skateboarding. Even now, 40 years since Craig Stecyk penned those words in what could arguably be the most influential decade for skateboarding, some people still fail to see the athleticism and artistry in skating. As the name would suggest, long-boarding, is skateboarding on a longer board. One of the biggest differences between traditional skateboards and longboards is in the truck design, which allows the board to flow, more like a surfboard. The wheels are also different, being made of softer urethane, which allows for better grip and greater roll speed. In these differences riders find versatility and stability. Like any sport, there are sub-disciplines of long-boarding: cruising, free riding and downhill, and for the most part,
they’re self-explanatory. But the feeling of each is indescribable. Philip Clamon, team rider for F-Town Longboards in Fayetteville and local board and truck manufacturer Braden Boards, put it this way: “It’s an escape. Floating down the road on a plank of wood, expressing my creativity through sliding and dancing and flowing with gravity. I get stoked by new local riders, new tricks, and creative setups.” For Clamon, like many other riders, it started as just a way to pass time in between other sports, but it eventually became one of his passions. Willie Knebel, local rider for Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters has a street skate background, but after a few injuries finds long-boarding to be a lower impact way of staying stoked and on a board. “There’s a rebellious freedom that comes from riding,” Knebel said. “I live in a town where everyone is
bearded with a Carhart jacket. I’m a square peg stuck in a round hole and I love that.” For Knebel, the community aspect of the sport is just as rewarding as riding. “The smiles, dude. Just the stoke spread. The look on a kid’s face when we hook them up with a board and the look when they do their first slide.” Riders are constantly searching for new areas to ride. In the Ouachitas there’s no shortage of beautiful riding spots. Small patches of asphalt with steep inclines and little-to-no traffic are abundant and often feature scenic views of the Ouachita Mountains. Staying safe while riding is important, and you’ll rarely find a long-boarder without his helmet, knee pads, and slide gloves. You’ll also not find a more respectful and helpful group. Riders are always willing to help beginners in the sport and organize group rides and events to help each other out in times of need. But above all the other reasons to ride a longboard, the main thing is that it’s just plain fun. Stay tuned to Ouachita High Country ’s website and Facebook page for information on upcoming long-boarding events and if you’re so inclined, head on down to your local skate shop and find out just how fun the simple act of cruising on a plank of wood can be for yourself. Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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FARE
Little Penguin Tacos
Located in the perfect spot for fisherman, water skiers and campers enjoying all that Lake Degray has to offer is Little Penguin Tacos owned by Jonathan Gonzales. Gonzales epitomizes the High Country lifestyle as an avid outdoorsmen. He enjoys kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and more importantly a love for serving up local cuisine. He has set up shop at 139 Valley St. in Arkadelphia, Ark with his Little Penguin Taco truck, and he is on a mission to serve up tasty tacos by using only local ingredients from his food truck. “My goal,” Gonzales said, “is to get where we use all natural and local ingredients only in the kitchen. We’re just not quite there yet.” This spring, Gonzales broke ground on his most inventive path to making his dreams a reality. At his Arkadelphia home that he shares with his wife, Claya
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Gonzales and their daughter Eva, he created a garden; and by mid-summer it should fulfill most of Little Penguin’s produce needs. Claya’s mother, Lori Calley, is the engineer behind the 50 foot by 20 foot tomato and pepper yielding plot. “She has been my gardening mentor,” Gonzales said. By growing vegetables in a private garden, Gonzales has taken upon himself the task to control the quality of the ingredients he serves his customers. Currently, Little Penguin buys its beef from J.V. Farms in Bismarck, Ark. Tortilleria Brenda, Little Penguin’s tortilla supplier, produces tortillas on site in their store in Little Rock. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ensure that commercial farms use proper pesticides, and that commercial produce is safe for consumption; but, the simple fact is
Locally sourced and garden fresh by J. L. James photography by Jeremy Rodgers
that pesticides are used. “With my own garden,” Gonzales said, “I’ll know exactly what I’m feeding people.” Little Penguin began as a breakfast taco joint and eventually expanded its menu to include lunch items after seeing the potential for success. A native of Gurdon, Ark., Gonzales and his wife are both Henderson State alumni. It was while attending Henderson as a broke, innovative college student that Gonzales developed the skills and concept that laid the foundation of Little Penguin. My parents would want to make room in their freezer,” Gonzales said. “So they would give us food, mostly meat. My roommates and I discovered we could make a lot of tacos, especially breakfast tacos, for about the same amount of money as everyone else was paying to order pizza.” The name of the taco truck was borne of
LITTLE PENGUIN TACOS the same time and environment. “It was a basement apartment with no windows,” Gonzales said. “So everything we did was in the dark and cold.” They nicknamed their apartment the “penguin den.” Gonzales said he chose the food truck business to bring a little more “college town” to the college town of Arkadelphia. His motivation is in enriching the Ouachita Mountain region. “It’s always been home,” Gonzales said. “I could’ve gone in to a number of different businesses, but I did this out of the desire to make the place a little better; to bring stuff I wanted to see when I was in college.” Gonzales chose a place to park the taco truck in Arkadelphia, but was initially kept out of the city limits due to an oddly phrased ordinance forbidding transient businesses. Anita Wiley, Arkadelphia’s building department manager, explained the ordinance was not intended to exclude food trucks, but at Planning Commission meetings, Gonzales was surprised that a few competitors in the restaurant industry opposed his setting up shop in the city. After months of meetings, Arkadelphia finally rewrote the ordinance, and Gonzales expects to be serving tacos on Pine Street in Arkadelphia by this fall. Little Penguin employee Peyton Thomas is also an outdoor enthusiast who has an inclination towards fly fishing. He said Little Penguin is part of a movement that is enriching the ArkadelphiaCaddo Valley area. “With Iron Mountain
developing like it is there’s a lot more to do here,” Thomas said. “And seeing these ordinances go away so Arkadelphia can grow. It’s exciting.” This October Gonzales and his friend Brian Debusk are hosting Arktoberfest, a craft beer festival in downtown Arkadelphia that will feature only Arkansas brewed beer. Gonzales said he’s doing this for the same reasons he opened Little Penguin – “to help make the area a little better, a little more progressive.” For information on Arktoberfest, interested parties can email Gonzales at Jonathan@arktoberfest.com. For information on Little Penguin, hungry people can visit Littlepenguin. com, or physically visit 139 Valley St. in Arkadelphia between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday – it’ll be worth your time to fill up on fresh, delicious and wholesome food. Through the food he serves, Gonzales encourages a healthy, active lifestyle and an appreciation of natural products. “My love of nature, I hope, can be found in the food we serve,” he said. “For a person to properly enjoy their life, they need to be fueled with proper nutrients. That can only be done with food grown and prepared without additives, hormones or steroids.” He doesn’t compromise on this principle. “I’m sure I could serve a fried Twinkie and have a line out to the highway,” Gonzales said. “But that’s not what I do because it’s not what I eat. The things I eat, what I think people should eat, that’s what I serve.”
Really Good Tacos. .
(870) 260-8091 139 Valley St Caddo Valley, Ark.
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MUSIC
Leavin’ this City
The bass Melissa Carper manhandles stands nearly a foot taller than she. Her raspy, classic country voice scratches and rises through whatever country, blues, folk or bluegrass melody she’s created for whichever of the several musical outfits to which she belongs. In May, she released her first solo album, “Arkansas Bound.” It’s an independent release funded through Kickstarter. She learned to play claw hammer banjo, her first lesson from her Camptown Ladies bandmate Gina Gallina, for her solo album. On June 20 she will accompany Joe Sundell, Rebecca Patek, and Hot Springs favorite Brian Martin when they perform at Maxine’s Live as Sad Daddy. Carper began playing music around the age of seven with her family in her home state of Nebraska. The band, the Carper Family, a name she would
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Award winning musician Melissa Carper is heaven-sent and Arkansas bound by J. L. James photography courtesy of Sad Daddy
later recycle into an Independent Music Award-winning act, was composed of her mother, Sheila Carper, her two brothers, Jon and Jason Carper and herself. Her father, Roger Carper, was meticulously involved with the band and served as their manager. The original Carper Family played mostly classic country such as Hank Williams and Patsy Cline, two major musical influences for Carper. As Carper evolved as a musician, she began writing songs. One country musician in particular has been a major influence on her as a songwriter. “When I was 20 or so my dad bought me the complete collection of Jimmie Rodgers,” Carper said. “I’d say Jimmie Rodgers is one of my biggest influences, especially influential on my song writing.” Carper played guitar in the family band, but in her school orchestra she gravitated
toward the stand-up bass. “I wanted to play a big instrument,” Carper said. “There’s something about the wood and the percussive sound. The tone; it’s pretty much a different instrument from the electric bass.” Bandmate Brian Martin said what struck him about Carper is the way she controlled an instrument that was significantly larger than she is. “I thought she was a little badass bass player,” Martin said. “She was manhandling it. I hadn’t seen anybody do that.” Carper majored in music performance at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. She studied classical bass under renowned bassist Rusty White. In college Carper also began to pay attention to classic jazz vocalists like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. While she’s always
92.9 FM THE VILLAGE been a vocalist, Carper has had a bit of a journey in the transition from rhythm section to solo artist. “I’ve been in a lot of bands that have a front person,” Carper said. “I never thought I had that personality.” Any suspicion about Carper’s abilities as a front person are shattered just a couple minutes in to “Arkansas Bound.” Her newly established technique on the claw hammer banjo and her adept vocal stylings present themselves with vigor and fortitude. The album’s title and first track are inspired by Carper’s feelings about leaving the city and returning to Eureka Springs, Ark., which she did this spring. As a musician with an adventurous spirit Carper has lived in several location in the South and Midwest. She grew up in Nebraska, lived in Topeka, Kan. and had a stint in New Orleans where she met Grayson Klouber, founder of the hillbilly bluegrass crew, Mountain Sprout. Carper got her first taste of Arkansas when she accompanied Mountain Sprout to Eureka Springs after Hurricane Katrina blasted through New Orleans. “I moved to Eureka Springs, Ark. in my mid-20s and started hearing old-time music for the first time in my life,” Carper said. She joined with banjo player Gina Gallina, fiddler Rebecca Patek and guitarist Mike Hopper to form Camptown Ladies. In the winter of 2009 while living in Austin, Texas, Carper joined Jenn Miori-Hodges and Beth Chrismen to form her family band’s namesake, The Carper Family, which is going strong to this day. The Carper Family won Independent Music Awards Best Country Album for “Back When” in 2011, received the popular vote for Best Country Album for “OldFashioned Gal” in 2013 and performed on Prairie Home Companion in November 2013. The band will play a couple festivals this year including the Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, Texas.
More locally, Carper’s talents will be on display as the bass player for Sad Daddy on June 20. “What makes Sad Daddy so fun,” Carper said, “is that we have three strong song writers in the band.” Carper, Martin and Sundell are all songwriters, and they have a great time playing each other’s compositions. Martin said that Carper’s songwriting, musical and vocal contributions are invaluable. “She has an old classic country voice,” he said, “but with a little Leadbelly in it. It’s got emotion in it. It feels real.” Martin said that Carper’s “authentic tongue-in-cheek humor” makes her original compositions and her interpretations of traditional songs original. “It’s an interesting twist and humor she puts on these 100-year-old songs,” Martin said. Carper said she’s excited about her move back to Arkansas after living in Austin for about six years. “I’m just tired of living in the city,” Carper said, the strain in her voice evident. “I miss the country up here. I lived in Arkansas almost 15 years and I just missed it.”
Leading the news and community events for ouachita region the tracy simpson show
M-F
6-10am tom nichols, ask your neighbor
M-F
10-11am scotty and Polly show
T-Th
1-2pm dr. oz
When she’s not playing music Carper spends her time enjoying and learning about nature. She has taken several wilderness and primitive skills classes. She prides herself on being able to build a debris hut and start a bow drill fire. Carper said she’d like to learn how to live off the land, but, she admitted, “I’m not very good at it.” She’s ambitious about starting a line of herbal products she’d call “Dr. Daddy.”
Point of Law
If readers would like to know more about Carper, her bandmate suggests a simple method: “Anything you need to know about Melissa,” Martin said, “you just need to show up and stand in front of her bass. When she thumps that bass, you’ll find out real quick.”
reat Playing g S Standard american
M-F 3pm
M-F 4pm
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15
A R TS
Riley Art Glass
Two brothers from northern California are turning up the heat on an already white-hot art form. The Riley brothers have taken their love for glass blowing and relocated to the quaint community of Fountain Lake, nestled between Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village, in the foothills of the beautiful Ouachita mountains. Brothers Charles and Michael Riley were born about forty-five minutes from San Francisco in the suburb of San Ramon. “When I was born there were about five thousand people in the town, now it’s just totally stacked,” Charles said, speaking faster than a jack rabbit on a date, immediately revealing his West Coast roots. The Riley brothers have been perfecting the art of glass blowing for the last thirteen years, and the style these guys follow is an old
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West Coast transplants own a family studio in the heart of the Ouachitas by Josh Williams photography by Chris Sale
practice. It’s in the style of the Venetians that the art of glass blowing is rooted.
established the first glass program in the United States.
Venetian, or “Off-hand” glass blowing became popular in the early 1960s when an artist by the name of Dale Chihuly enrolled at the University of WashingtonSeattle to study interior design. After learning how to melt and fuse glass, Chihuly became disillusioned with his studies and dropped out of school to study art in Florence, Italy. After meeting an architect by the name of Robert Landsman, he was spurred to return to his studies, and in 1965, Chihuly earned his bachelor’s degree in interior design from the University of Washington. From then on, Chihuly started experimenting with glass more and more, and in 1966 received a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There, he studied under Harvey Littleton, who had
After returning to Europe to study abroad for a few years, Chihuly founded the Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle, Washington in 1971. The art of glass blowing has exploded in the last five decades. The United States now has more glass blowers than anywhere in the world. Chihuly’s work is the standard by which glass blowers are judged today. Charles Riley attended Penland College in Asheville, North Carolina. With so many studios and glass masters in the country, the Riley brothers know they have to produce works of art that make them stand apart from the herd. “I just remember being a kid and loving to work with my hands,” Charles said.
“I originally wanted to work on engines, but Michael and I enjoyed all forms of art. Music, painting, theatre — we just wanted to be creative. I liked making things. I used to sit for hours on end making beads, marbles. I kind of liked playing with matches too, so I decided that glass and fire was a cool combo, and the rest is history.” The Riley brothers have been in Hot Springs for the last nine years. They followed their grandparents to Hot Springs Village and, subsequently, started Riley Art Glass. For the first three years of the studio’s existence, they weren’t open to the public. They sold only to corporate buyers all across the country, producing paperweights and bowls and the like. “We had a few businesses that ordered things, but we mostly wanted to go through the galleries, but we didn’t really know how or want to go about it.” Charles said. “We focus on the art. We’re glass blowers, not salesmen.” They never thought too much about it as a business, until people in The Village saw their work, and urged them to open to the public. Soon, they decided to take people’s advice and start displaying their work around town.
Sink Gallery was the first place that displayed their work publicly. It made a splash, and they started to make a name for themselves. Today, the only place where their art glass is displayed in Hot Springs is at All Things Arkansas in the downtown area, but they are doing a lot of work for private clients. They took a much different approach to their business. “We went completely backwards as a business model,” Charles said. “We started out on a national level, then we went state and then local. We don’t show here very much. We show places like Little Rock and Bentonville. We still do some online sales, but it’s hard to market. I’m married to this – it’s like running a farm, there is always something to do.” The Riley brothers are in a pretty conducive spot for their craft. The community of Hot Springs has always had a thing for artists. Michael said, “We love the people and the art community here. They are so supportive. We could do this anywhere, but we love it here. People come to this town from all over. I love making nice things from raw materials. We basically start with a jar of
sand and nothing else, and the people here really appreciate our efforts.” These guys love what they do. This line of work is pretty intense and dangerous. “In August, it gets to be about 130 degrees in here,” Charles said. “I have a four-figure electric bill. I don’t even like looking at the meter. It’s hard to explain, glass is strange material, I can’t tell you about it, you just have to watch it. The main thing I can tell you about it is that you have to work quickly, no breaks. You have to have that sink-or-swim mentality, you have to have a plan. You have to be blue-collar about it. I don’t have any other interests but glass.” Needless to say, these guys blew me away with their artwork and their attitude. If you ever get the chance to see them in person, you will be blown away too. Glass, unlike other media, has both form and function. The Riley brothers make products that fit that mold, so to speak. You can see more of their work on their website, www. rileyartglass.com, or you can check out Riley Art Glass Studio on Facebook. Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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S U MME R E V ENT C A L END A R
b June
15
Remmel to Rockport Regatta, Rockin’ the River 1pm | Rockport White Water Park, Malvern
Village Big Band Concert Whittington Park, Hot Springs 16-20
57th Annual Petit Jean Auto Show & Swap Meet Museum of Automobiles, Morrilton
17-20
38th Annual Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival Turkey Track Bluegrass Park, Waldron Hot Springs Boys & Girls Club presents 2015 National Title Boxing Championship Tournament Hot Springs Convention Center
18 18-20
In-Woods Expo Garland County Fairgrounds Arkansas State H.O.G. Rally Hot Springs Convention Center
19-20
19-21 20
3rd Annual TINKERFEST Mid-America Science Museum
Magic Springs Concert Series “Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Magic Springs
Kid’s Day fundraiser for AR Children’s Hospital Sam’s Club, Hot Springs
26-27 27
35th Annual Malvern Brickfest Malvern City Park
Magic Springs Concert Series “Scotty McCreery” Magic Springs
21
Rhythm Jam Grove Park, HSV
Junior Fishing Derby Golf Course Pond #7, Bismarck
The Great American Backyard Campout Cossatot Visitors Center, Wickes
Hot Springs Concert Band Free Summer Concert Series Whittington Park, Hot Springs
22
6-8
Rock Porch Session Grove Park, HSV
7-9
Hot Springs Concert Band Free Summer Concert Series Whittington Park, Hot Springs
7 8
39th Annual Hope Watermelon Festival 800 Mockingbird, Hope The Pocket Theatre presents “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” The Pocket Theatre, 170 Ravine St., Hot Springs Gallery Walk Local Galleries in Hot Springs
Cutwell 4 Kids presents “The Birth of an Artist” Hot Springs Convention Center
Summerfest Uptown on Park Avenue 100-700 blocks, Hot Springs
Magic Springs Concert Series “Extreme” Magic Springs O u ac h i t a Hi gh C ount r y
4th Fridays Arkansas Jazz Experience Quapaw Baths & Spa, 413 Central, Hot Springs
Cossatot River Weekend Adventure Visitors Center, Wickes
20-21
18
Wynonna & The Big Noise in Concert Oaklawn’s Finish Line Theatre
Magic Springs Concert Series “Bret Michaels” Magic Springs
3
Annual Lake Greeson Days Daisy State Park, Kirby
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29th Season Hickory Hill Park Hickory Hill Park, 216 Bryant Rd., Hot Springs
b August
1
Five Star Theatre presents The Magic of Scott Davis 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs
27-28 28
15
Guided Kayak Tours Cossatot Visitors Center, Wickes Beat the Heat Party Oaklawn Racing and Gaming
Magic Springs Concert Series “Thousand Food Krutch” Magic Springs
Hot Springs Concert Band Free Summer Concert Series Whittington Park, Hot Springs
17 20-23 22 23 28
2015 Forrest Wood Cup Bank of the Ozarks Arena 29th Season Hickory Hill Park 216 Bryant Rd., Hot Springs Justin Moore Free Concert Bank of the Ozarks Arena
“Happy Together” Tour in Concert Oaklawn’s Finish Line Theatre
4th Friday Arkansas Jazz Experience Quapaw Baths & Spa, 413 Central, Hot Springs
b July 1-4
2-4 3-4
3 3-5 4
Five Star Theatre presents The Magic of Scott Davis 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs Stars & Stripes Festival Balboa Pavilion, HSV Murder and Mayhem on Gilligan’s Island, Murder and Macabra Dinner Theatre Porterhouse Restaurant, 707 Central, Hot Springs
10
Quiltfest 2015 Hot Springs Convention Center
Gallery Walk Local Galleries in Hot Springs
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Magic Springs Concert Series “Sidewalk Prophets” Magic Springs
Summerfest Uptown on Park Avenue 100-700 blocks, Hot Springs
Guided Kayak Tours Cossatot Visitors Center, Wickes
Spa Blast July 4th Celebration in the Infield Oaklawn Racing and Gaming
Independence Day Fireworks Highway 7 Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs
Magic Springs Concert Series “The Charlie Daniels Band” Magic Springs
Island Festival Lodge Island, Bismarck
4th of July in the Park Aubrey D. Tapley Park, Mena
Harbor’s Patriotic Four Wheeler Parade and Fireworks Show on Lake Ouachita Mountain Harbor Resort, Mount Ida
Hot Springs Concert Band Free Summer Concert Series Whittington Park, Hot Springs
6 8-11 9
2-7
14
Fairy & Wizards Tea for Children Garvan Woodland Gardens
“Baubles and Beads” Summer Beading Camps (for kids) Garvan Woodland Gardens
15-17 17-19 18
4th Fridays Arkansas Jazz Experience Quapaw Baths & Spa, 413 Central, Hot Springs
25-26
25
Guided Kayak Tours Cossatot Visitors Center, Wickes
Guided Kayak Tours Cossatot Visitors Center, Wickes 29th Season Hickory Hill Park Hickory Hill Park, 216 Bryant Rd., Hot Springs South Hot Springs Lions Club Gun & Knife Show Hot Springs Convention Center 29th Season Hickory Hill Park Hickory Hill Park, 216 Bryant Rd., Hot Springs
Magic Springs Concert Series “3 Doors Down” Magic Springs
Magic Springs Concert Series “Loverboy & Lita Ford” Magic Springs
Walks Through History at Downtown Malvern Hot Spring County Courthouse
Motors & Muscles Car and Motorcycle Show Ponce de Leon Center, HSV
29
3rd Annual Crystal Music Festival Board Camp Crystal Mine, Mena
23rd Annual Ouachita Expressions Art Show Opens Mena Art Gallery, Mena
Rhythm Jam Grove Park, HSV
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Hot Springs Concert Band Free Summer Concert Series Whittington Park, Hot Springs
19 20
Five Star Theatre presents Song Stylist Linda Davis 701 Central Ave., Hot Springs
KC and the Sunshine Band in Concert Oaklawn’s Finish Line Theatre
24-26 25
Magic Springs Concert Series “Newsboys” Magic Springs
Miss Arkansas Pageant Hot Springs Convention Center
September
24
The Pocket Theatre presents “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” The Pocket Theatre, 170 Ravine St., Hot Springs
Mark Your Calendar!
24th Annual Jazz Festival Various Locales around Hot Springs
10-12
Hot Springs Motorcycle Open Rally Hot Springs Convention Center
24-27
Maxwell Blade’s Festival of Magic Various Venues, Hot Springs
Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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ON T H E W A TE R
Easy Riders
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Boarding experts give us a sick wake-shredding demo by J. L. James photography by Jeremy Rodgers
With more than 60,000 acres of water surface in the Diamond Lakes area, the opportunity for water sports and activities is ever present. Unfortunately, according to wakeboard experts Zach Mesko and Michael Stallman, not nearly as many people take advantage of these opportunities outside of fishing and recreational boating. Mesko and Stallman have been riding wake for a combined 25 years, and they’re dedicated to introducing the sport to both adults and youth. Stallman, sales manager at Lacey ’s Boating located at 1318 Airport Rd. in Hot Springs, is not one of the people missing out on outdoor sports activities. He has been more or less attached to Arkansas lakes since he was a child. “I grew up a lake rat,” Stallman said through a reflective grin, his hand resting at 12 o’clock on the steering wheel of the 2015 Nautique G23. “It’s definitely what I’m going to do with my kids.” Stallman’s childhood home was on Lake Hamilton, near Little Mazarn. In that cove, around the age of 16, he fell in love with wakeboarding. As Mesko dipped in the water, preparing for his next raley, Stallman said, “Right out here is where I did my first flip. Once you do that first flip, you’re kind of hooked.” The ultramodern, high-tech machine that is the 2015 G23 was manufactured specifically for towing riders; that is to say, it was built for the sole purpose of making wake big enough to pull off the sickest tricks. “It’s the boat most boats
are imitating right now,” Mesko said. Propelled by a 450-horsepower engine, equipped with nearly 3,000 pounds of ballast, the G23 is ideal for anyone interested in wakeboarding or, the relatively new sport, wake surfing. Located next to the stereo with Bluetooth capability sits a digital control screen from which the driver can select among “wake pro,” “wake intermediate,” “wake beginner” and “wake surf,” which showcases the new, state-ofthe-art, Nautique Surf System (NSS). The G23’s ballast system is particularly valuable because of the ease with which the driver can adjust the system to get the desired wake: the deeper the back of the boat goes in the water, the bigger the wake. For a rider of Mesko’s skill, Stallman used the pro setting. From raleys to hoochies, Mesko gave a demonstration worthy of X-Games coverage and made it look easy. He lagged wide on the starboard side, the sun peeking over the trees on Lake Hamilton’s west bank. Then he barreled toward the wake and launched from the water’s surface and then paused at the apex of the jump, gripping the board between his feet and extending his body in a Man of Steel pose. And Mesko said that’s just how it feels to pull off a trick like that: “You feel like Superman; you feel like you could fly.” Although Mesko made the sport look easy, he and Stallman stressed that it’s important for beginners to learn the fundamentals before attempting the big air tricks the pros execute. Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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ON T H E W A TE R
To begin wakeboarding, experts strongly recommend using either a professional wakeboarding coach like Stallman or Mesko, or at least asking an experienced wakeboarder for instruction. “People often go out and want to just turn tricks,” Stallman said. “But you got to lay building blocks and foundations.” Both drivers and boarders benefit from proper instruction. The driver works to balance the ballast properly. “Try to get the rooster tail right in the middle so the wake is distributed evenly,” Stallman said. After a run, the driver should turn in near 90-degree angles to get the rider back in to smooth water, or, “the butter,” as boarders call it. It’s important for the rider to learn proper form, to keep his or her back straight, knees bent and loose, for example. Riders should know to let go of the rope when they wipe out, and they should learn which hand signals indicate to the driver whether the rider is tired or good to go. Stallman knows firsthand how important it is to observe safety precautions when participating in a sport that’s both physically demanding and dependent upon heavy equipment. Stallman, who has competed at the national level in wakeboarding tournaments, hasn’t been on a wakeboard in two years after undergoing surgery due to a wakeboarding accident that injured his knee. Stallman said he was exhausted but kept boarding anyway. “I came down super hard,” he said. “You get to a point where you’re tired, and it’s best to just bring it in.” Another way to get acquainted with wakeboarding, and water sports in general, is to give wake surfing a try. Wake surfing has significantly grown in popularity within the last five to 10 years. The NSS feature on the G23 makes wake surfing as easy as can be. By shifting the weight of the ballast to one side of the boat, the boat creates a small, constant wave just like a surfer would chase off the Pacific coast. The boat cruises at low speeds, around 12 miles per hour, and almost anyone can get
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the hang of it. In addition to wakeboarding, both Mesko and Stallman are available to coach wake surfing. Mesko and Stallman agreed that the most rewarding part of coaching is working with kids and getting to see them learn a healthy, rewarding new hobby. “The best part is when you give lessons to kids and by the end they’re excited and using wakeboard and surf terms,” Mesko said. “By the end of the lesson they’re telling you they’re ‘stoked to get back out there,’ or they’re like, ‘ah that was sick!’ “Yeah,” Stallman said, “to see that excitement when a youngster, like six or seven years old, pulls off a surface 180.” “It’s awesome,” Mesko said, finishing Stallman’s thought. Stallman and Mesko have been wakeboarding together for nearly a decade. They’ve ridden in competitions around the country, but they want to see more people getting in to the sport in the Diamond Lakes region. “This area has so much potential,” Stallman said.
“You can go out and party, just socialize on the lake, or you can go just get away with your family or even by yourself. There’s a young generation with so much at their disposal and they need to take advantage of it.” A native of Mena, who spent his childhood visiting Lake Ouachita with his family and taking trips to Colorado to snowboard, Mesko picked up on extreme sports at a young age. “I wanted to try every sport where you ride a board,” he said. His own toughest critic, Mesko expressed disappointment in his performance, although from the view at the back of the boat it was clearly a gnarly session. He said his best rides come when he gets to enjoy Arkansas lakes with his friends and not focus on competition. “When you ride the best is when you’re out there having fun,” Mesko said. “It’s like the less you think about it the better you do,” Stallman said. “It’s all about getting out here on these beautiful lakes and having fun with your friends.” Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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“POWER OVER PESTS”
Protecting the health and property of Arkansas people Locally owned and operated in HSV since 1970
5 Ponderosa Way Hot Springs Village (501) 922-3585 www.terminixhsv.com
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O u ac h i t a Hi gh C ount r y
The Natural State
Experiencing the beauty found within Arkansas’ borders by Josh Williams & J. L. James photography by Jeremy Rodgers
Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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CAMPING
One of the great things about our state is the plethora of natural beauty contained within its borders; even better, the ability to experience that beauty at a moment’s notice. Usually when you take an excursion it requires arduous amounts of planning and preparation; you might have to travel for hours – or even days – to reach your destination, causing you to possibly miss out on many of the things on your itinerary. That’s not the case in the Ouachita High Country. Here, you have a 360 degree view of nature; a perfect place to set up camp whenever and wherever you choose. It’s really easy to grab your backpack, your hiking boots, your beef jerky, your water — lots and lots of water — and hop in the SUV and go. Conveniently, our photographer
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O u ac h i t a Hi gh C ount r y
Jeremy Rodgers had just acquired a Hummer H3, and we figured this would be a perfect time to pilot its maiden voyage. So, that’s what we did. Our destination was a spot nestled in the Ouachita National Forest, just miles north of the majestic Hot Springs Village, resting on the extreme northwest border of the Flatside Wilderness called Forked Mountain. It’s known for its loose terrain, large boulders and steep inclines, making it a hot spot for repellers and scramblers alike. After a 45-minute drive from our office in downtown Hot Springs, we arrived at FR #86, just past the South Fourche Campground. We followed this gravel road for about five miles and found a spot just west of the natural elevation.
We unpacked the Hummer and started to set up camp. We were prepared: we had our backpacks, our Kelty tent and sleeping bags, lanterns, and of course plenty of water. Henderson State University’s Student Recreation Center facilitated our outdoor excursion by loaning us the hiking and camping equipment we needed. After some exploring we found one escaped-convict shelter constructed of two-by-twos and plastic sheeting. Through sheer innovation (mostly kicking) we deconstructed it and used it for firewood. As we worked our way back to our campsite, gathering scattered logs as additional firewood, a sign reminded us we were just around the corner from Forked Mountain Cemetery, the only
Forked Mountain destination that would register on the GPS. Being borne of Goonies’ spirit, ever-craving adventure, despising the notion we’re too old to get a thrill from visiting a secluded graveyard at dusk, we decided to hike back a mile to the small necropolis. It’s not often you find a burial ground in the middle of a national forest, least of all with 120-year-old graves. We admired the tombstones in the plot – the Davis’s, the Springers and the Tallents – from the simple to the ornate. We honored the dead, reading their epitaphs, speaking their names. There’s something about a cemetery at sunset on a mountain in the middle of nowhere. The relics of lives come and gone beneath your feet. The mountains rising to meet the sun, slow
but absolute. It’s a cocktail of beauty and creepy. You can’t help but contemplate your mortality and feel gratitude for the breaths you have left. We didn’t realize how far away from camp we were; a mile and a half goes by pretty quickly when you’re waxing poetic about film-noir and scaring yourselves with tales of escaped convicts – we were sure that hillbilly was coming back for his shelter – and watching the sunset cascade over the wide open landscape. And by the time we returned to camp the night had imposed itself on Forked Mountain, but Jeremy, the consummate outdoorsman, had the fire rolling. “Where the hell did you guys go? I started to think the ghosts got ya.” Jeremy chuckled, said, “We need more
firewood. What we’ve got isn’t enough.” Right to the point. Using the LED lanterns the HSU SRC loaned us, we set out on a second round of wood gathering, using a hand saw to trim the branches from downed pine trees. Gathered around a newly fueled fire, we shared stories of will and women, changing the names to protect the innocent, while we dined on jalapeño cheddar sausages, trail mix and Bulleit bourbon. Not as good as catching half a dozen crappie, but it worked well enough for us. As the hour grew late the air chilled and the clouds dissipated. The sky opened itself, a dam releasing a spillway of starlight. We couldn’t help but notice how striking a place this was. On the mountain top, the stars twinkling Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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rhythmically, holiday lights of the gods, it felt full of possibility. You realize how miniscule a place in the universe you occupy, and all the issues that clutter your life seem frivolous, and at that moment, they are just that. “How in the hell could anyone possibly think that this world is flat?” J.L. said, obviously more intuitive than ancient scientists. “I mean, you can see the curvature of space right before your very eyes. All you have to do is look up.” “Yeah,” Josh Williams said, “it’s hard to imagine people believed the Earth was the center of everything, like somehow everything revolved around us. Look at that sky; most of those stars have been dead for a long time. They aren’t even there anymore. It’s vast out there.” “And this is just one galaxy. The universe is infinite. It’s hard to imagine we’re the only life to pop up on this one rock. I mean, it takes light 100,000 years just to cross our galactic back yard.” We had an unencumbered view of the Arkansas night. 360 degrees of possibility, and all we had to do is lean back in our chairs to immerse ourselves in this little section of the Milky Way. We had chided each other about ghosts and escaped cons and extraterrestrials. We were adults looking at the world as children, at least for the night, seeing it for the mystery and the opportunity it held rather than the restrictions it placed upon us. We soaked in both the beauty and the power of our surroundings for a long while, saying nothing, just relishing in the fact that we were outside, camping. We were half an hour from our homes, but we were light years from our problems.
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From Pramping to Glamping YURT gonna love it by J. L. James • photography by Jeremy Rodgers
If roughing it at the top of a mountain isn’t your style, you should check out the various glamping options offered in the Ouachita Mountain region. Located at 1700 Shady Grove Rd in Hot Springs, Catherine’s Landing is the only 10star recreational park in Arkansas, according to Davina McHenry, event and group director of Catherine’s Landing. The RVC Outdoor Destination
features RV sites and luxurious cabins, but the YURTs — that’s Year-round Universal Recreational Tent – are the perfect mix of primitive and glamorous camping. “It’s the best of both worlds,” McHenry said. “It’s a permanent standing tent in a wooded setting, it has a barbecue grill and fire pit, but it also has a queen sized bed, sky lighting and climate control.”
The wood and vinyl structure comes in two sizes at Catherine’s Landing. Eight total YURTs stand on the immaculate landscape of Catherine’s Landing; four with a 16-foot diameter and four of them measuring 20 feet. The park features both regular and deluxe-furnished YURTs. The standard features are a queen-sized bed, one bunk bed, a futon, both heat and air and a mini-fridge while Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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CAMPING
the deluxe features two bunk beds, a queen-sized bed, a futon, mini-fridge, microwave and dining room. All the units have windows which zip open or closed, all units include Plexiglas sky lights. Catherine’s Landing offers a special couple’s YURTs which is included in the Couple’s Getaway package. This 16-foot luxurious cabin-tent offers one king-sized bed, a microwave, a dining room table for two and a dresser. “It’s a fun getaway for kids, families or couples,” McHenry said. All the YURTs have laminated, woodstyle floors and a wooden frame. The only thing lacking from the luxurious structures are bathrooms and kitchens, but Catherine’s Landing has clean, maintained restrooms with private shower stalls only mere yards away from the YURTs. It is truly an outdoor camping experience with all the convenience of a glamping experience. “It’s a structured place. Sometimes when you put kids in tents,” McHenry said through a chuckle, “they don’t stand up as well.”
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McHenry said there is no limit to what guests of Catherine’s Landing can do on their stay. Catherine’s Landing holds the Bovine Nine Disc Golf Course, zip lining on site, a swimming pool, a Bark Park where pets can roam freely, and Catherine’s Landing also schedules fishing tours on Lake Ouachita. “Guests call and tell me what they want to do and I set the agenda,” McHenry said. If YURTs are still too primitive for your taste, Catherine’s Landing has even more glamorous glamping options. Currently 13 luxurious cabins ranging from 300 to 500 square feet stand on the beautiful property. RVC plans to add several more in the near future. The cabins all have fully furnished kitchens, bathrooms and central heat and air. “I tell people the only things they need to bring are spices, food, clothes and themselves,” McHenry said. The more luxurious cabins feature a loft-style sleeping area. Both the cabins and the YURTs include housekeeping services. If you’re the
kind of glamper who’s invested in your own glamping equipment, Catherine’s Landing offers 117 RV hookup sites. Each is a 65-foot concrete pad and feature either a 50 amp or 30 amp electrical hookup. The RV sites feature hookups for water, sewer and cable. All the overnight areas on Catherine’s Landing include free Wi-Fi and garbage pick-up. For those who want to get a little closer to nature but still have the conveniences of a resort, Catherine’s Landing plans to add tent sites by midsummer, according to McHenry. Of course Hot Springs offers a number of places to glamp. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains along the shore of a babbling creek is Gulpha Gorge Campground at 305 Gorge Road in Hot Springs. The park offers both tent and RV camp sites, barbecue grills and public restrooms. A gorgeous hiking trail leads up the mountain and into the Ouachita wilderness. The RV and tent sites are available with or without utilities, and the latter
Surround Yourself In Natural Beauty
are available in either 30 amp or 50 amp hookups. Other RV and glamping destinations in the area include Cloud Nine RV park at 136 Cloud Nine Dr., Treasure Isle RV at 200 Treasure Isle Rd. and Brady Mountain Recreation Area and Campground at 1320 Brady Mountain Overlook just west of Hot Springs. Brady Mountain is located on incredible Lake Ouachita and offers nearly 60 RV sites and several tent sites. Whether you want to rough it, be pampered by housekeepers and resort staff or pretend to rough it while being pampered by housekeepers and resort staff, Hot Springs and the surrounding Ouachita Mountain area has exactly what you’re looking for.
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Don’t Miss!
100 Days to experience, learn, & even challenge yourself in the ouachita outdoors. For your ticket to adventure & information on our upcoming events, follow us now at facebook.com/ BasecampAR!
Cooking Campside recipes by Chef T. Porter Montgomery of the Exchange Culinary Group
Going camping does not mean you have to sacrifice a good meal for roasted weenies and s’mores; there are so many surprisingly easy options that turn out to be pretty amazing too. The only hardware you will need is a pot of boiling water with a lid, and Ziploc baggies.
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BasecampAR.com O u ac h i t a Hi gh C ount r y
On the following pages are a few samples to get you started:
Camp-pot Omelets Ingredients 1 ½ tablespoons finely diced red onion 1 ½ tablespoons diced bell pepper 1 tablespoon sliced green onion 2 thinly sliced mushrooms 3 tablespoons grated Cheddar ½ tablespoon butter, quartered 3 eggs (beaten) salt and pepper to taste
How you’re going to do it: Simply bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, and add all your ingredients into a sandwich sized Ziploc baggie. Roll it up to get all the air out, and then seal the baggie. Unroll and place the baggie in the pot of water in such a way that when you put the lid on the sealed end of the bag becomes secured at the top of the pot, out of the water. Depending on the size of the pot, temperature of the water, etc. the cooking time may vary anywhere between five and 15 minutes, but keeping a lid on the water will help this greatly. The omelets will have fluffed up, and they ’ll be firm to the touch when finished. One of the great things is that these can be can be prepared ahead of time, and kept rolled up with all your ingredients already in the bag, ready to cook. Minus the eggs and the salt, of course, those need to be added just before cooking. Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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C A M P C OO K I N G
Epicurious Hobo Fajitas Ingredients 2 boneless chicken breasts ½ red onion 1 bell pepper 4-5 cloves of garlic ¼ bunch of cilantro (roughly 4 or 5 tablespoons when chopped) 2 teaspoons cumin 6 oz. reposado Tequila 1 medium sized lime package of 8-9” flour tortillas
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How you’re going to do it: Thinly slice your chicken breast, onion, garlic, bell pepper, cilantro, cumin, and place everything in a gallon sized Ziploc baggie with three shots of tequila and the zest and juice of one lime. Once everything is in the bag and sealed, shake it like it a Polaroid picture – or a baby, or whatever it is the kids are shaking these days – to mix everything together. You can now let this marinate anywhere from two hours to a couple days in the cooler. When you get ready to cook your meal, make two or three double walled heavy duty aluminum foil hobo packs. If you are not already aware of how to make these guys, allow me to illuminate your entire camping world. All you do place about a large fist sized amount of the contents of your Ziploc-bag-o-fajita-goodness into the
middle of a sheet of heavy duty foil, take the left and right edges of the foil, and pull them up to meet in the middle, roll or fold them together to create your top seam; now take the two unsealed ends and roll or fold them back towards the center until you have a nice tight package. Crimp the edges of the foil and repeat the process one more time, but make sure your seam from the first package is face down when placing it on the second sheet of foil; then you can create the second wall of your hobopack. These little packets of love, can now be cooked on a grill, or surrounded by hot coals. Cook the packs for approximately 10 minutes then flip your pack over for an additional 5 minutes. It should be noted that if your packets were constructed correctly there should be little to no loss of juices when you flip them over to finish cooking.
Dessert Taquitos Ingredients Four 8-9� flour tortillas 1 cup semisweet, or milk chocolate chips 1 cup fresh Berries 2 Tablespoons melted butter 2 teaspoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How you’re going to do it:
warm and pliable. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of each the chocolate chips and fruit, (I used blueberries, raspberries or sliced strawberries) in the center of each tortilla; fold in the sides and roll up, like a typical burrito. Brush rolls with half of the melted butter. Grill burritos over indirect (med-low) heat, turning once, for about three minutes, until they start to show grill marks and the chocolate chips are melted.
At home, mix sugar and cinnamon and store in a Ziploc baggie. Also, it helps if you put a rough chop on your chocolate chips beforehand and bag them up next to the cinnamon sugar.
Conversely, if you do not have a grill you would feel okay with putting these dessert tortillas on, wrap them in foil, and cook them either on the grill, or in the coals until they are slightly crispy.
At the campsite, stack the tortillas and wrap in a piece of foil; grill over indirect (med-low) heat, turning once, for about five minutes, or until they are
Remove from heat and brush with remaining butter, then sprinkle with stored sugar and cinnamon mixture, and serve while they are still warm.
Keeping with the tortilla theme, here is a dessert you can do with any extra tortillas you have left over, after all, the fewer things you have to pack in and out, the better, right? Note: This is also a recipe that kids will enjoy helping you create!
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GOLF
The Other Four-Letter Word
Taking advantage of Hot Springs Village’s optimum golfing experience 36
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by Josh Williams • photography by Jeremy Rodgers
There is an old adage that says golf obtained its name because all the other four-letter words were already taken. If you have ever attempted to play this great game, you can understand why. It is probably the most difficult game to master. You have to be so precise; that is to say, if you are off by just a fraction of an inch, you will be in the water instead of on the dance floor. There are times when you might take ten strokes before you even reach the green. There are also times (although rare) when you might be in the cup after one or two strokes. That’s the beauty of the game of golf. And those moments, the ones where you hit that perfect shot, are the ones that keep you coming back. You can take 120 strokes during your round and swear off the game forever, but if you hit a great approach shot from 180 yards out and end up pin-high within the leather on number 18, you will be back on the course next weekend. That’s how this game works. It’s really the only sport where the opponent is you. One simply can’t put the blame on anyone else for his or her bad play. That’s your crappy shot. As difficult as the game is, there is a place in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains that makes your round about as easy as pie. I guess
that’s correct, I never knew what that expression meant, anyway. Hot Springs Village has some of the best golf courses in the country. Quite honestly, it’s what The Village is known for. The lush terrain and mountainous landscape provide a backdrop that’s more beautiful than one of Phil Mickelson’s lob shots from sixty yards out. All eight public courses (Diamante, the ninth course, is a private course) cater to golfers of all skill sets. Whether your handicap is +2 or +25, there are more than enough options for you to thoroughly enjoy your excursion. The golf courses in The Village are managed by Troon Golf, LLC, an industry leader that runs championship-level courses across the nation. It’s easy to see why Troon sits at the top of the golf universe. Every course in The Village is in pristine condition; just being out there raises your game to another level. The course profiled in this story is Granada, mainly because it’s well rounded, with average length and difficulty levels. Its rolling hills and pine forests provide picturesque views for the entire round. The course designers, Ault, Clark and Associates managed to completely
immerse you in the area’s natural surroundings. It is actually ranked in the top ten golf courses in the state by Golf Digest, so we were in for a real treat. The morning started out a little shaky. It had been raining for about two straight weeks. There was another monsoon in the forecast, and I thought we were going to get washed away. It was overcast for most of the morning, but the rain threat luckily subsided. It was pretty damp and humid, but there is something special about the combination of a Bloody Mary coursing through my veins and thick dew on a fairway that warms the cockles of my heart, and no, that’s not the vodka talking. The three of us pulled up to the first tee with one set of clubs. Let me explain, my co-editor hadn’t golfed in a decade and Jeremy had to take all of the beautiful pictures you see in these pages. Granada’s course manager, Pat Roberts, one of the nicest people on the planet, pulled up in a golf cart and introduced herself to us before loaning us a set of clubs, free of charge. Wow. Not only are we getting to golf on one of the nicest courses in the country, but we also got to use some new Titleist AP2’s. Winner. Winner. Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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GOLF
I was playing fairly well, by the way. My co-editor became frustrated about halfway through the round and basically stopped. But not before Jeremy and I got to hear some of those other four-letter words I was referring to earlier. Not that I blame him, a tenyear hiatus from the game will cause you to gather quite a bit of rust, and when you’re chilly-dipping every shot, the obscenities will spew. On the other hand, I was hitting a lot of my shots thin. It’s easy to hit it fat when the ground is wet, so I was being extra careful not to. I didn’t want to divot up those beautiful fairways anyway. But, that didn’t take away from our day. You don’t really care too much when your surroundings are as beautiful as they are in Hot Springs Village. We encountered Dave and Therese Klier, a nice couple enjoying their Saturday morning on Granada. We let them play through on the first tee then caught up to them on the ninth, so we wound up just joining them for the rest of the round. Dave and Therese were on vacation from Chicago. “This place is great, isn’t it?” I asked Dave. “Yes, it is,” he said, his Midwest accent as thick as froth. “There are so many nice courses out here. I’ve been hardpressed to find any place nicer to play, anywhere. My dad bought a place here in ’77 and we just keep coming back. I’m sure we will retire here.” Many people do retire here, and that has been the stigma attached to Hot Springs Village, but this gem isn’t just for retirees any more. Every year, members of the younger generations flock to this area. With a plethora of hiking and biking trails, whitewater spillways, natural amphitheaters, golf courses, marinas, restaurants, lakes and campsites, there will never be a lack of outdoor adventures to indulge in. Our experience on Granada was just the tip of the iceberg, and I can’t wait to get back out to The Village to see what else I can get into. Maybe I can come up with a whole new set of four letter words.
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Y OU R G OL F D E S T I N AT I O N
Try It Before You Buy It!”
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Lacey’s Narrows Marina 7674 Edgemont Road Greers Ferry, Ark. 501-825-6214
Lacey’s Boating Center 1318 Airport Road, Hot Springs, Ark. 501-463-9842
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GLANCE BACK
Peace in the Valley
On behalf of Spanish Queen Isabella I, Hernando de Soto led a 15th century expedition to find riches in the New World; but, what he stumbled upon was potentially worth more than anyone imagined. The natives living around the mouth of the Mississippi River told de Soto of the hot waters found in the Valley of the Vapors, a tributary of the Ouachita River. Soon after the journey up the Mississippi River began, however, De Soto died and his body sunk in the river. His men continued the expedition and set off deep into Caddo territory in search of what they believed to be the Fountain of Youth. They followed the mapped out river highway up the Mississippi River all the way to the Ouachita River. As they approached the convergence of the river and what would later be known as Hot Springs Creek, the group reported seeing the vapors
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emitting from the little creek and followed the stream to its source, thus becoming the first Europeans to visit the site popular among different Native Americans. Thankfully, they kept a detailed journal. According to local lore, the Indians, not knowing what was causing the thick vapor underneath them, considered the area sacred ground. They, and their subsequent generations, traveled great distances to soak in the springs to purportedly cure their ailments and diseases and heal the wounds they received in battles and wars with other tribes. Because of the waters, the area that later became Hot Springs National Park became a neutral ground. Warring tribes could come in to the area and put their weapons aside to bathe in healing waters, sometimes finding themselves bathing right next to the enemy they were just fighting.
Historic Hot Springs: A sacred and neutral ground by Mike Brooks photos courtesy of Garland County Historical Society
In the latter half of the 19th century local residents ignored this unspoken treaty, and death filled the valley. Locals described a city wrought with assassinations, underhanded backstabbing, ambushes, gun battles and even outright murder. Conflicting parties fought for control of the illegal but profitable gambling rackets, providing entertainment for visitors after they spent the sun-lit hours bathing in the ramshackle houses at the base of the mountain on Valley Street, what is presently Central Avenue. Back then, those who participated in the criminal activity were usually acquitted of all charges and accusations, despite the available testimony of several witnesses. Even when the perpetrators were punished, they spent only short periods of time in jail, and after being released, the majority of them
told several of the gang in the Arlington’s dining room, ‘Fellows, enjoy your stay. Spend your money and have a good time. Don’t bother the locals. If you do get in trouble and get arrested and can’t get out of jail, give me a call and I’ll come down and get in jail with you.’” With the mayor’s words, the underworld figures – the gangsters, the bank robbers – understood that they could come to Hot Spring and as long as they “checked in” with the local political machine, they would be left alone to walk the streets, visit the government regulated bath houses, the gambling houses and bordellos at their leisure. They knew that their presence in town would not be reported by the local newspapers with stories and photographs.
returned to Valley Street and continued their activities as if nothing happened. Then came 1927 and the mayoral election of Leo Patrick McLaughlin. In the fall of 1910, McLaughlin went to the University of Arkansas with fellow Hot Springs native Verne Ledgerwood. McLaughlin, having never spent any time away from his controlling mother, got homesick and returned to Hot Springs after only two weeks in Fayetteville. He had aspirations to enter the political scene and was elected as state representative from the Garland County area. He traveled to Little Rock in January of 1911 for the assembly. After the session ended, he returned to Hot Springs and rented an office in the same building as city hall and its government. Despite having only two weeks of college education, Leo hung a sign on his office door that read “Leo P. McLaughlin - Attorney at Law”. Two years later he abandoned his state post and ran for the position of City Attorney and was elected, still with no record of having ever taken – much less passed – the bar exam continuing his ruse as an educated man.
Ledgerwood went on to complete his law education at Tulane University before returning to Hot Springs as a lawyer. In 1927, Ledgerwood, who had been serving as municipal judge since his return to Hot Springs, began to put together a political machine that would control all aspects of the city’s illegal activities from the safety of the judge’s bench. He needed his good friend, McLaughlin to run for mayor and complete the stranglehold they would need. Together as Mayor and Municipal judge, they were able to consolidate their power; thus began the reign of Leo P. McLaughlin and Vern Ledgerwood. Soon after taking office, McLaughlin was invited to a private dinner at the Arlington Hotel by some of the men who were accompanying the host of the evenings’ activities: Al Capone. He and his entourage of heavies were staying at the hotel in their usual quarters – the entire fourth floor. According to Orval Allbritton’s book, “Mob at the Spa,” “The mayor supposedly
One reported story claims that while Capone and his entourage were in town attending a local boxing match at the Opera House on upper Central Avenue, they surrendered their weapons to the local police upon arrival. As they were ushered to their seats, they noticed that their sworn, bitter enemies from the north side of Chicago, the Bugs Moran Gang, were being seated on the opposite side of the venue. Moran and his guys were staying at the Majestic Hotel. After the evening’s entertainment, both factions had returned to their respective hotels without incident. Although there are no known primary sources to confirm the account, legend has it that a couple of days later Capone invited the entire Moran gang down to the Arlington Hotel where Capone hosted a private dinner. The story continues with Moran’s reciprocation of the gesture. When they returned to Chicago shortly thereafter, they continued their vicious and bloody war for domination of that city and its’ profitable rackets and vice operations. Like the Native Americans, who first discovered and peacefully shared the curative waters of the hot springs with enemy tribes, the most vicious, dangerous and trigger-happy gangsters also knew that when they came into Hot Springs to vacation and relax they likewise were expected to put their weapons aside and carry on the tradition of the sacred and neutral ground of the Valley of the Vapors. Ou a c hit a H ighCo u nt ry.com
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I N Y O U R W O R DS
Sweet Magnolias by Grace Brown, Hot Springs, Ark.
Walking along the magnolia lined path I caught a whiff of the flowers in full bloom; it stopped me in my tracks, transporting me to a happier time when I still held her in my arms. I couldn’t have been much older than 17, but the freshness of my youth didn’t matter. I was in love, and my thoughts fogged by the mist of emotions I experienced each time she would move. It didn’t matter how small the gesture, the simple act of tucking a stray hair back behind her ear sent me in a frenzy. Her name was Anabelle. Her father owned a grand house right on the lake, and they spent each summer here. It was love at first sight on my end, but Anabelle didn’t even know I existed. She didn’t know that the smell of magnolias that clung to her skin lingered in the air when she walked past, or that the sounds that emerged when she spoke sounded like a concerto preformed by a symphony. She was oblivious to her own charm. I think that’s what I liked about her the most: the fact that her mind was one place while her physical being was in another. I would spend hours at night just imagining the thoughts that filled her, attempting to understand the deepest parts of her psyche. Despite my best efforts I failed to appease my own curious nature and eventually worked up enough nerve to make my existence known to her. To my surprise she was receptive to my ad-
vances and agreed to a date. When the simple “yes” escaped her lips I felt my pulse getting faster. I was stunned when she didn’t immediately turn me down. We ate downtown on the patio of a quaint little Italian place my mother loved to visit back when she was able to leave the house. It was perfect; the Christmas lights that decorated the patio gleamed off her porcelain skin. Afterwards, I took her to walk along the Promenade. It felt natural, her hand in mine. Like it was carefully constructed to rest peacefully in my own. Everything about her, about that night, was perfect; it was almost as if a higher power was at work. We spent the days exploring and the nights in each other’s arms. I was high, not on any drug other than her presence, and didn’t want to come down. Each day held something new: kayaking, hiking, exploring the tunnels that ran underneath the city and just about anything else we wanted to do. The best memory I have from that summer is the weekend we spent camping on a small plot of land in the middle of the lake. I convinced my father to let me use his small boat to take us there, and she told her father she was going to stay at a friend’s house. We sat across from each other, the camp fire illuminating the space between us. We watched the sunset on the lake, and then counted the stars as they appeared in the night sky as we made promises we knew we couldn’t keep. It was the last night we ever spent together, and to this day the best memory I have. Sitting by the thermal pools watching the steam rise off the water I am reminded of how she left me, breaking every promise we made to each other. I remember wiping the tears from her face when she came to tell me goodbye. Then, just like the steam off the pools she just evaporated from existence, leaving me here with nothing but her memory and the sweet smell of Magnolias in the air.
As adults we sometimes get caught up in the business of working, planning, caring for our families; and, we forget to play. With all the waterways, open fields and parks Ouachita High Country has to offer, the opportunity to get out and enjoy this beautiful place around us is always there. Live like a kid this summer with wide eyes and open minds. Send us a short story or poem about your experiences. We may just share it in our next issue.
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Send your writing submissions to: Render Creative Group attn: Ouachita High Country 801 Central Avenue, Suite 30 Hot Springs, AR 71901 or email info@rendercreativegroup.com
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