The Arkansas countryside is beautiful as we head northwest into the mountains to dig for crystals. Uncertain as to whether it will be too muddy to dig, if we will find the much-lauded "mine," and whether any of them will be open for business today. No problem.
About ten miles out of Mt. Ida, we locate the rural house of Dee & Gee. We pay twenty dollars and are given a map, and assured that our low-riding car will do the road with no problems.
We drive three or four miles and turn on to a muddy road and climb thru the woods. At the top of the hill we are greeted by Dee and her assistant, who set us up with bucket and shovel and lead us into the woods to where the digging is done. Accents are thick as banjos play in our heads. Was that a pig squealing off in the distance? No, that is the sound coming from me, as I am in hog heaven! I get to play in the dirt for over two hours! I leave a happy (and thirsty) girl. Actually, everyone is great, and the hunt is very successful.
Growing weary of Arkansas, we head for Fort Smith, expecting to cross into a Oklahoma border town. Well, there is no town, so we cross back in to Arkansas and book a room downtown at the Hojo's. The motel is empty, as is the downtown. Looks like it saw better days a long long time ago, if ever. We are sensing this town's claim to fame is it's participation in the Trail of Tears episode. This town needs to forgive itself and move on.
Dinner was interesting. 30% liquor tax is added to the bill of my $5.44 g & t, 15% beer and wine tax on to Patty's $3.75 beer. Oh, and sales tax.
We sleep well and leave first thing in the morning.
Day 38. A "work" day as we drive across Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle, arriving in Tucumcari NM, stopping only for food, trading post, a brief visit at an Indian casino (hit a $80 jackpot upon arriving and immediately left), and rolling the clock back another hour. Steaks at the restaurant next door to the $30 motel room on Route 66. Good to be back west.
No comments:
Post a Comment