Spring-like conditions got our minds racing to a getaway in our regional Ozarks. One area we’ve heard about from friends is in the hills around Eureka Springs, AR. We dusted off our cameras (literally … have had some sanding projects going on at home) and took off for a day hike daycation.
A historical mural in Eureka Springs
Literally a four-states region, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas boast midwestern hiking trails frequented by residents and visitors alike. Nestled deep within Ozark crests and valleys, Eureka Springs draws year-round sightseers, family vacationers, bikers, artists and more. Rollie scouted the internet for hiking and found that the city has its own lake, Lake Leatherwood, in a city park. Spoiler: we found it very well kept and active.
Sharon checks camera settings, full manual today, along the Lake Leatherwood shoreline.
An obstructed trail limited our distance to one side of the lake, as a sign said, a hike completely around the lake was “compromised.” No never mind. We had the shoreline trail and beautiful views all along. Off we trod, along Ozark limestone and chert outcrops, glades and wooded areas. Though just a small total distance, our photos for the day stretched the shared enjoyment.
Here are some views to share with you.
Canada geese were not too alarmed for continuing to feed just there on the shoreline.Rollie was shooting for an old structure we found, adding to a compiled project coming later in the year.Limestone and chert made for walkways, ‘stairs’ and habitat along the way.Stones, leaf litter and the moist, shady glades provided habitat for moss communities.This fern has held on through the winter in its rocky crag among lichens and mosses.Chert is known for round inclusions, evident along the trail.We were drawn to linger at this spring-fed series of tiny falls.Water rushes its inches of freefall off a tiny ledge, while a leaf holds on among slippery algae.Trees, water and stone all impact each other over a period measured by growth and erosion.Stone wasn’t the only floor of the trail, as these pine roots show.Up close and personal to a gnawed tree. Perhaps a muskrat was watching us.The buffeting breeze of the day meant many takes while this butterfly alit for a rest.Shooting star (?) flowers were blooming among sloped glade areas.These feet have seen, and will see more trails to share.
I’m not sure of the process. The little balls of rock in chert around here are often orange to red. They sometimes separate from the rest of the rock because they don’t erode as fast, so even a long that trail we saw a couple by trail. There were a couple where that photo was taken, it had survived better through all the hikers stepping on them.
Tamed Along Life Trails 
2 responses to “Springs, A Lake, and A Town”
How do the round inclusions happen on Chert?
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I’m not sure of the process. The little balls of rock in chert around here are often orange to red. They sometimes separate from the rest of the rock because they don’t erode as fast, so even a long that trail we saw a couple by trail. There were a couple where that photo was taken, it had survived better through all the hikers stepping on them.
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