Mount Magazine State Park, Arkansas September 2009

Sunday afternoon we enjoyed a sunny 1 mile hike to the highest point in the park.   This is it! The marker was in the ground so to be at the highest point, you had to stand on the marker.                    Most days it was foggy (or as the  Arkansans say "cloudy").  This was one of those days.   Bagel was ready!  Bring on the bears!                                                                                                     Maybe not what we were looking for,                    but the closest thing we saw.

We did see some Deer and...                           a Bobcat and...

                   Leaf Hoppers and...      and Praying Mantis and...         

                        a SNAKE!!!!

The park is highly populated with all kinds of wildlife but it is known for the vast number of butterflies that call the area home.  Different varieties of Milkweed are prevalent on the mountainside and that creates a great feast for the caterpillar's to grow and prepare for their magical change into beautiful creatures!!!

Diana Fritillary (female)  

Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana) butterflies are large and beautiful. Males are dark brown and orange. (We did not photogaph one of those). The much larger females are black and blue. They are occasionally found in other areas of Arkansas; however, Mount Magazine is one of the best places to see them flying during summer months.

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                                                  The view was great when the skies were clear!                                                     

Sunset could be beautiful!

But the scenery was pretty

awesome when it wasn't so clear.

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We were able to do a little hiking one day, 6.1 miles to be exact.  There were plenty of waterfalls after so much rain, and a few other things growing as well.

Young daughter of the Benefield family who were original settlers to the mountain area in the late 1800's.

This grave is still located in the park.

    This is our home site away from home.  Yes, Harlan is serving up homemade ice cream, a camping must.

But if you don't have a trailer to camp in, then you could survive in the lowly little lodge they have supplied on the mountain side, or camp out on the cliff.                             

But it's always good to get home again, isn't it Bagel?!