43rd State: Arkansas - Beaver Lake (Oct. 7, 2012)

Beaver Lake, Arkansas.  It’s beautiful here, but the sun didn’t last long and it was another cold grey paddle.

Beaver Lake, completed in 1966 and nestled high in the Ozark Mountains, is located in northwest Arkansas, the birthplace of the White River. The 28,370-acre lake is the first of the impoundments created in Arkansas and Missouri along the lengthy White River system.  From: http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/lakes-rivers/lake.aspx?id=1 .

Steep cliff shoreline most of the way.

Looking for something interesting, wait, what is that???

You ask, “How did that get that cross up there?”  But the water is very low right now… and once upon a time… the water level was just below the cross.  Interesting.  And Why???

Taking advantage of the natural scenic beauty, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed a variety of recreational facilities. Paved access roads wind through 12 developed parks. There are 2,008 acres of campgrounds and over 650 individual campsites. Visitors can enjoy such conveniences as electricity and fire-rings. Drinking water, showers and restrooms are nearby. Other facilities -- picnic sites, swimming beaches, hiking trails, boat launching ramps, sanitary dump stations, group picnic shelters and amphitheaters -- are also available in the parks.  From: http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/lakes-rivers/lake.aspx?id=1

With 487 miles of shoreline highlighted by limestone bluffs, Beaver Lake offers a world of recreational opportunities. Marinas and outfitters are plentiful. Cabins, resorts and other lodging ring the lake, and campgrounds are also available in good number.   From:  http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/lakes-rivers/lake.aspx?id=1

There are scuba diving sites around the lake.  One is the foundations of an old school house, it is in about 15’ of water, and has ropes leading to a trail of things to see, from mannequins to an old school bus that rest at 35’. Not a lot a fish life, but a good boat dive for beginners.  From:  http://www.divebuddy.com/divesite/4046/foundations-beaver-lake-eureka-springs-ar/

That would be fun???   NO????  The water here is very very clear.

A cave… there are lots of caves.

My continued fascination as to why wild critters poop on top of rocks (or in this case, an old chunk of concrete).  Wish someone would explain this to me.

And some really big houses.  Why does anyone need such a big house?  But if you need one, this one is for sale.

Another one…. this one I looked up on Google maps just to make sure it (the one on the right) was really a house and it is… at the end of Serenity Point Lane.

But it’s the natural wonders that hold my fascination… the rectangular block in the center is way bigger than my 12’ 3” kayak… and so perfectly formed.

On the left, a tree that has broken and fallen off the ledge, but continued to thrive and grow.  Amazing.

I saw few birds on this paddle but looked up to see an amazing mature male Bald Eagle flying over my head, but by the time I could get the camera out, he was higher and I didn’t have time to zoom in on him… and I watched as he got higher and farther away… just hoping he would come back down… but he didn’t.  At one point another bird joined up with him and they circled together, becoming one dot in the sky a couple times, and then continuing on their own paths.

Not a great day for photos… and the fall colors are just beginning to turn in this area.  The sky was getting darker and so once again, I cut my paddle short to get out of the cold winds and headed back toward my van…  which is one of the white dots off in the distance.

Maybe the sun will come out again tomorrow, and stay out all day????

Tonight I’m on to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge… to camp there and enjoy the big cats there tomorrow.

Next State:  Missouri