Idabel, Oklahoma & Ouachita Nat'l Forest, Arkansas

April 21, 2010 - From Ratcliff, TX in the Davy Crockett Forest, we drove 215 miles north on the 259 to our next stop Idabel, Oklahoma.  The drive was all rural cattle ranch and forest.  We arrived Idabel, which smelled of faint manure or sewage and was unfortunately a sad looking city that looked hard hit by the recession.  A good amount of buildings were boarded up and the grocery store sold mostly processed food in cardboard and cans.  Sadly, our impression of Oklahoma started dismal as we headed out of this town the following day for Arkansas.

April 22, 2010 - The striking views of the Ouachita Natl' Forest (the South's oldest national forest), which starts in Oklahoma left us with a sweeter taste of the state as opposed to our Idabel experience.  We continued on the 259 to the 71 through the mountains and camped down at Big Brushy rec. area at the Ouachita Forest on the Arkansas side.  Next to Brushy Creek, we enjoyed a humid day hike in the woodlands covered in multiple species of oak trees, red cedar & many more.  We turned in early for an early start towards our next stop, Hot Springs in the morning.

 Our only shot from Oklahoma.  Love the American Indian logo on the letter 'O'.

Arkansas border in the Ouachita Natl' Forest.

Brushy Creek

Bridge overlooking Brushy Creek.

Beginning of our trailhead with view of Brushy Creek Bridge.

Crazy looking moss.

 Moth, or butterfly?  Camouflaged on the well worn trail.

Magnificent woodland trees.

Our camp with Brushy Creek right behind it.