1/2 - Columbus’ Ships / Civil War Reenactment / Hidden Waterfowl Sanctuary

It’s not every day you get to board not one, but two of Columbus’ ships – the Nina and the Pinta. The replicas of the ships docked at Little Rock’s Riverfront Park recently serving as traveling museums for school groups and visitors. One of the largest Civil War reenactments in Arkansas takes place every other year the first Saturday in November at Historic Washington State Park near Hope with more than 200 reenactors usually participating. In a combined effort involving the Army Corps of Engineers, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and the private sector, a man-made habitat has been established for the endangered Least Terns and other waterfowl on the Arkansas River near Petit Jean Mountain.

1/9 - Longpool Falls / Lake Ouachita Snorkeling / Nars & Skull Bluff

The Longpool Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest northwest of Dover is well-known for its camping and swimming opportunities – but not too many folks are aware of the falls behind the camping area. It’s not quite the Caribbean coral reef, but the rock reefs in one of the clearest lakes in the country – Lake Ouachita make for quite a snorkeling outing at Crawdad Island. The “Nars” and Skull Bluff along the middle portion of the Buffalo National River are two very unusual rock formations which are explored in the closing segment.

1/16/ - Coleman Quartz Mine / White Oak Lake St. Pk. / Crowley’s Ridge

It’s one of the oldest and largest quartz crystal mines in Arkansas –the Coleman Quartz Mine north of Hot Springs – and it’s where you and I can dig for our own treasure. White Oak Lake State Park near Prescott offers abundant wildlife and hiking within the boundaries of the state’s only state forest. A new look at the unique geological formation known as Crowley’s Ridge in eastern Arkansas can be explored at the Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro. Episode concludes with a drive along Crowley’s Ridge Parkway.

1/23 - Smith Creek Nature Preserve / Wildcaving--Cosmic Cavern / Bayou Bartholomew Nature Trail

The Nature Conservancy’s newest preserve south of Boxley in northwest Arkansas is a haven for endangered bats and other wildlife. We’ll take you on a hike through a portion of the 1200-acre tract. A wild cave tour at Cosmic Cavern near Berryville includes two underground lakes, the bottoms of which have never been found. A unique trail in Pine Bluff takes hikers along the world’s longest bayou – Bayou Bartholomew, which stretches all the way into Louisiana.

1/30/12—(re-air of Jan 2 episode)