A super short weekend in Arkansas found them ready for the Christmas
season. The Stone County courthouse lawn stood fully decked out in an
array of lights all around on the one and only night out and about.
The journey south was fraught with delays. Multiple accidents in multiple
locations necessitated multiple detours. Some were more equipped to handle
these scenarios, but they were not the type of situation I wanted to be involved
with, given recent circumstances. Add to that, steady rain south of
Harrison, and the anticipated 7-hour trip took 9 hours.
Rain persisted throughout much of the following day. Forecasters
insisted it would stop by around 1:00 PM. It did not and just about the
time I hit the trail, it picked up again. According to others, the
downpour proved significant. The remains of the canopy above Mossy Bluff Trail offered decent protection from a complete drenching though.
It was actually quite a bit more peaceful than usual. Water rushed all
around, cascading down the streams intersecting the area, falling steadily
over the the small falls that usually display little more more
than a dribble, hushing all other sound invasions. Temperatures
lingered near 18 °C a good portion of the day too, so it was not too
uncomfortable.
The return trip stood in stark contrast with the rest of the
weekend. Clear blue skies and 20 °C welcomed the ride
homeward. While our radar was tuned in to finding any potential
oddity, nothing of significance appeared. All houses seemed in good
order, propped up against potential threats, with goat chicken defenses in
place.
Pausing to reflect for a moment at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area found the place overrun with tourists. The parking lot appeared
full and it proved nearly impossible to get a moment alone with your own
thoughts on the trail. We ultimately abandoned the effort, content to
continue the journey under the sun with windows down, until northern breezes
forced us to abandon that cause as well.
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