Destination : Mount Magazine State Park 16878 Highway 309 South Paris, AR 72855
The wish for break after a long summer came true when I landed on a weekend get-away in Arkansas. I was in the woods, pleasant weather and midst fall colors or to be more precise pre-fall colors. I could not have asked for more to burst the cycle of day to day mundane routine.
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The lodge in Mount Magazine was worth the 6 hours long and curvy drive. The lodge and cabins stand on the cliff offering sunrise and sunset views right form the room balcony. Place is majestic, luxurious, cozy and worth every penny paid. I would recommend this place for people who are not keen on hikes too. One can just laze around the balcony and fireplace from dawn to dusk and still enjoy different snapshots that nature paints at every instant. Our two days were filled with hikes and bikes, nights with laughter, games and food.
The best hike was just before the sunrise on bear hallow trail. A mile hike in torch light, midst woods leads to sunrise rock. The hike was short but memorable as it was just four girls in dark and little chilly dawn. The sight of sunrise was breath taking. All the wait and early rise from bed paid off. I felt that sun drenched every leaf and grass in golden light, driving away the darkness. It had been a long time I had seen a rising sun in a valley bounded by the wild.
After bathing in the first rays of the day we trekked couple of miles more. Someone truly said you need to enjoy fall colors at dawn and dusk. Best times of the day to soothe your eyes and lens. The sunrise rise rock and inspiration point were two best scenic spots on this trail.
The Cameron Bluff scenic drive is good for biking or even for scenic drive. Drive has few stop overs for a small picnic or to just overlook of the valley.
Other activities: This place also offers hand gliding if you are licensed, horse riding (own a horse), ATV and boating on rentals near the cove lake at the edge of the mountain.
The one quote which kept coming to my mind is "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower" .
