Visiting The OLD MILL in Little Rock Arkansas

TRAVEL TUESDAY

Today, I'd like to take you to a portion of Little Rock, Arkansas.  To T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, to visit and tour the Old Mill.

If you love the movie Gone With The Wind, the Old Mill was used during the opening scene in this classic film.  The Mill was designed specifically for the film, and so were the grounds around.  Tree stumps, toadstool sculptures and branch interwoven bridges.  

I actually visited in the month of March which is why the tree's are for a lack of leave.  But it was enchanting even before the place turns into full bloom.  So if you visit another time of year, you'll see lush greens, and beautiful flowers just about everywhere.
You can go inside the building and walk around all of the grounds as well.

The above picture is one of the fun log and branch bridges.  It looks smaller in the picture, but it is actually large enough you can walk right through it.  Well at least my 5 foot,4 inches could:)

It looks kind of creepy in this picture, but this is the underneath of one of the larger bridges.  I'm sure a different time of year has this creepy bridge looking quite magical covered in vines and such.

The other side of the road, there is a small lake and additional trails to explore.

Overall, it's not a place I would take a specific trip to see, but if you are in the area it's definitely worth checking out! They run the Little Rock Marathon in the spring there, which is what I was doing when I visited, so if you're a racer in the area, such a short little stop for something to do before or after the race!



IF YOU GO:

*  Little Rock Arkansas, T.R. Pugh Memorial Park is the destination.  (3800 Lakeshore Drive in North Little Rock Arkansas.) 
*  This can be used as a stop on a road trip, or a fun place to grab an afternoon picnic.
*  It's free to the public.
*  Little Rock also has a nice Marathon & Half Marathon in March if you want to add that to your trip and use the Old Mill as an afternoon excursion.

Hiking Badlands Loop in Death Valley National Park

One day a few weeks ago I woke up and realized I have never been to Death Valley National Park, and well living not horribly far from it, only a few hours drive. I literally decided to go, packed up and was out the door for a little Death Valley camping trip in under 30 minutes.  Because let's face it, this is how I roll LOL

The Badlands Loop hike was the first trail I came across a few hours later, and after needing a break to stretch my legs, this 3.5-mile loop seemed like the perfect place to do it!

Now the guide will tell you this is about 2.5-3 miles. But my GPS probably because I walked out to a few overlooks along the way, clocked me at 3.5. Since most people hike and enjoy a view, I decided to leave you with the 3.5 mi. as a guide for this hike.

This post is a little of a photo dump, but this place is gorgeous, and heck yes it is the Badlands LOL You'll find very little growth in this area, and the hike itself although is a little of a climb down into the Badlands bottom, and then, of course, a little climb back up when you're done, the rest of it is relatively flat (or very normal gentle up and downhills on the trail.) I'd go so far as to say this is a family-friendly hike.

While I say this is family friendly, there are a few sections where you are walking along edges, so obviously common sense needs to be applied when taking kids or people with a fear of heights.

You'll get stellar views of the slopes and rock formations. At some points, you can even get a view of furnace creek (190 feet below sea level) in the distance. 

When you hear of Death Valley, you should assume it can get hot! It does, the summers can easily reach 120 F degree's which means the rock and ground itself when touching it can get up to 200 F Degrees. So obviously, you MUST take WATER, regardless of which time of year you hike it!!!!!!!

I hiked this at the end of March, so the temperature highs were in the upper 80's to low 90's, in most ways absolutely perfect hiking temps for us desert lovers! If that's too hot for you, visit in the winter months when temps are closer to 60's and 70's.

IF YOU GO:

I can't stress enough bring water, and lots of it!! You won't find as many fountains and water sources as you can in other areas and parks! Why? Well, this national park is huge, I believe 3.5 million acres and it takes a long time alone to drive around.

 

Don't just bring a small 12-16 oz. water bottle and assume because the hike is in the 3-mile range you'll be good. This is the desert after all, and while you won't feel like your sweating much, you are evaporating sweat at a very high rate, especially when you're moving!

FYI I In the desert, water is seeping out of you fast even if you're standing still!

The biggest mistake tourists make when visiting a desert is underestimating how much water to drink.

They Suggest: 

Bring 2 Liters water if hiking a shorter 3-4 mi. hike in the winter months.

Bring 1 Gallon water if hiking shorter 3-4 mi. hikes in the warmer times of year (April-Oct)

Have fun! This hike is beautiful, and I do say stay on the trails because you don't want to ruin the lands for others to enjoy. However, part of this hike you will be in a wash, so you can do a little exploring and have a wider place to trail in portions of this hike.

Slot Canyons, Caves all inside a Cathedral, Definitely an Adventure Worth Taking!

It's been a while since I've kept up my favorite posts which are my Travel Tuesday posts. I've been on a lot of adventures this past year and it's time I start sharing them with you all.  This week I'm going to showcase my most recent travels which took me to Cathedral Gorge State Park in Eastern Nevada.

Funny story, I only learned about this park about a month ago. Came across a blog post about it and it only took one image and I knew I was going to go find it. When I realized how close it was to me, that just made it a done deal!

Let me tell you this is a very lesser known spot and a bit out of the way. Even on a Saturday, we had most slots, caves, tunnels, and hikes to ourselves.

It's a smaller state park but it makes up for it in what you are able to see.

We went through over 20 slot canyons, same types of rock but each had their own uniqueness to them and colors as well as surprises.

The tunnels and caves were pretty interesting to go through as well. Down on my belly a few times hoping my butt wasn't too big to fit through the tunnel cracks, LOL  Luckily it wasn't.

You can tell why they call it Cathedral, because of the texture and the height of the walls.

The best advice I can give if you are going to visit this park, get out and explore. The more you do on foot the more you will find.

In fact, we ran into a couple down there who had gone through the entire park and each stop and hadn't seen any of the slots or caves. The reason being they didn't get out and walk towards the cracks and crevices. They are everywhere, but you have to venture into them!

No technical skills required to see most!  There are a few rope areas, the ropes are provided, but mostly these slots and tunnels are for anyone who can walk and move through them.

How to get there? Well, they are about a 2.5-hour drive from Las Vegas. Or if you are from Cedar City or St. George Utah, you're looking at 1.5 hours.

I found the canyons to be creepy and hauntingly beautiful in the best ways. I would highly recommend this for anyone who is on a road trip in the area and wants to take a beautiful detour!

Summers are hot, we were hiking in around 103. But it's in mid-elevation (over 4,000 feet) so spring and fall are probably the best times to visit. Winters do get colder and likely some snow.

But no matter the temp, once you get back in the slots it is much cooler. I'd say 10-20 degree's cooler in spots, so they are a welcome experience to go through.

I do actually have a lot more pictures, but I'll save them for Instagram. If you don't already follow me on Instagram and you enjoy travel pictures, I have to say I post about travel about 99% of the time.

There are so many places in this country that are absolutely stunning, but I am just going to say it out west we have sights that are unbelievable and nothing like the rest of the country has! You have to travel here to see them, and if you know a local to give you tips it will make your adventures all the greater!!!

Well, I can't really say much more about this park, it's stunning and unique! The pictures say more than I can, but even they don't really do it justice!

If you go:

* Bring lots of water and snacks.
* There is currently a $7 car entrance fee.
* There is a campground, dump station, showers, and water.
* It can be seen in an afternoon or a day or two.
* There are also other nearby state parks worth seeing about 15-30 minute north.
* Be careful not to damage the rocks and canyons
* Hiking in the caves and slots, you will get dusty and dirty
* Do not hike into the slots when it is raining or if it looks like it may rain.

A Unique Beach Experience for the Coming Winter

TRAVEL TUESDAY

Most may think of going to the beach in the summer time.  While that is always a fabulous idea, I am going to suggest visiting the beach in the winter.  I want to tell you about this cute little beach town in Delaware called Rehoboth Beach.

The month of December, this small town that has one main street that runs through the entire town all the way to beach boardwalk.  From the moment you enter this town, it's all decorated and lit up for Christmas.

This was probably my most favorite picture I took the entire trip, because I love the lighting so much.
This was actually taken on the beach right outside my hotel.

One of the best things about visiting a beach town in the winter are the prices.  You'll find hotel prices are extremely discounted and you can get a room right on the beach overlooking the ocean.

If you need an idea of something to do on the beach.  Seashell or shark tooth collecting.  Because the summer crowds are gone, I could walk down at almost anytime and find huge shells, and lots of shark teeth (I like to collect them:)  Also a fun evening thing I enjoyed was cooking up some hot chocolate in my room and taking it to the beach to sip on while I walked along the sandy shore.

I had a corner beach view room.  Which also looked down at the boardwalk.

I mentioned the town dresses up for Christmas, well they also dress up the beach.  Here at the boardwalk you can find Santa's house, which may look small, but during the day they have actual Santa hours for kids to visit.  There are also these cute sea creature light exhibits along the boardwalk area.

The cute gazebo pictured below is at the end of the town street.  Just before the boardwalk.

If you like marathon's this is also the actual starting line spot for the Rehoboth Beach Marathon.  You may notice how decorated the gazebo (aka Bandstand) is, the lights and garland up and down the poles.  Well the entire town along the street, all the street lamps every so many feet on both sides are decorated up the same fun way.  It really is Christmas at the beach, I loved it!

Kinda hard to tell, but you can kind of see how fun the entire street is decorated up from the picture below.  Not just the street's but the business are also into the holiday spirit.

When you're not shopping the beach shops, or sipping cocoa on the beach, you can go out sight seeing.
Take a little drive down to Cape Henlopen State Park.

WW II Watch Tower

You can get a history lesson, and tour the top of one of these World War II look out towers.  Which also have 360 degrees of fabulous views.

There is a 3-mile long paved trail through the park.  As well of 6 miles of beach to hike and explore.

If you like lighthouses, there are a couple to check out as well.  I absolutely love lighthouses, I find they are each unique in their own way!

And if you still haven't found something to do, just bring your Dairy Cow to the beach for some family Christmas pictures:)  I actually have no idea who this family is, but they gave me a great smile as I watched them walk this big cow to the sandy beach as they posed for photo's.  Hope they don't mind I snapped the picture:)

I actually saw several people out surfing on one of the nearby beaches one day.  They must love it, because I would imagine even in a wetsuit that has got to be cold!

Visiting the beach in the winter is just an entirely different experience.  But was a lot of fun in this cute dressed up Christmas Beach Town called Rehoboth Beach.

IF YOU GO:

*  There are several flight options (Baltimore, D.C. & Philadelphia)  I flew into Philadelphia and rented a car and drove south to get there.
*  Some hotels may be closed in the winter, and others are open and have great prices.
*  If you like to run races, they have a fabulous marathon (I loved it!) and half marathon in December, The Rehoboth Beach Marathon.  The race starts at the beach, runs through the town, woods, and State Park.
*  I discovered in December they didn't even charge me to enter Cape Henlopen State Park, where in the summer yes you have to pay a visitors fee.
*  There are plenty of places to eat here, you won't even have to drive further into town if you don't want to, lots of shops and small eateries right in Rehoboth.