Gaither Mountain Simrise

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Several years ago, on a trip to Arkansas, Betsy and I got up early one morning to catch the sunrise over Gaither Mountain.  It was definitely worth getting up early to see, and that is where I got this image of the rising sun.  I used software to make the image look more like a painting, and this is the result. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Smith National Historic Site

 

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On our first trip west in 2011, Betsy and I visited the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smth, Arkansas.  The old military base which makes up the historic site was involved in the Trail of Tears (the removal of native American tribes to Oklahoma), the Civil War,  and the taming of the West.  The federal court at Fort Smith had jurisdiction over the Indian Territory for many years.

I got this picture while walking past the parade ground at Fort Smith.

 

 

The Rim Trail

 

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Betsy and I really enjoy the sunrises and sunsets at Mt. Nebo State Park in Arkansas.  But when we were younger (and healthier) we also did some hiker a the park.  One of the trails we hiked several times was the Rim Trail, which circles the top of the mountain.  The Rim Trail is where I got this photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dawn's Early Light

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When Betsy and I are at Mt. Nebo in Arkansas, we get up before dawn so we can see sights like this.  This picture was taken from Sunrise Point on the mountain looking down into the Arkansas River valley below.  What a way to start the day!  February 12, 2013.

An Experiment in Night Photography

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Several years ago, while visiting Mt. Nebo State Park in Arkansas, I experimented with night photography by taking pictures from our cabin on top of the mountain of the valley below.  This is one of the results of my experiment.

Evening Beauty

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Although its been a couple of years since we’ve been to Mt. Nebo State Park in Arkansas, this photo gives you a pretty good idea why this ranks as one of our favorite places to visit.  The photo was taken behind ‘our’ cabin in the park as the sun was setting.  It’s a breath-taking sight.

Glory!

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The past few weeks have been a new, and in some cases frightening, experience for most of us.  I hope all of you are staying safe and staying at home as much as possible.  These are anxious times, but they will pass.

In the midst of troubles I feel it helps to remember that there is much goodness and much beauty in the world around us.  The picture above, taken as Betsy and I enjoyed a spectacular sunset at Mount Nebo in Arkansas. shows there is indeed light and beauty in our world.

Mt. Nebo Waterfall

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Although we didn’t make it to Mt. Nebo this year, it has been an annual event for us for almost as long as My Beautiful Bride and I have been married.  (She’s the one who introduced me to this beautiful place.)

Although we go in late February or early March, we’ve rarely had snow while we were there.  This photo, taken in March a few years ago, was taken during a light snowfall.  The area around Upper Mt. Nebo Falls was turned into a winter wonderland.    

Mount Nebo Sunset

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Although we couldn’t make it to Mount Nebo State Park in Arkansas this year, we still have beautiful memories of the glorious sunsets we enjoy from the back of the cabin we rent each time we go.  This picture was taken February, 2008.

Mt. Nebo Moon

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Betsy and I enjoy getting up before the crack of dawn when we visit Mt. Nebo State Park in Arkansas.  That gives us time to get to Sunrise Point in order to see a beautiful sunrise.  One morning this year I got this picture of the moon while we were waiting for the sun to put in an appearance.

Down in the Valley

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There are many things Betsy and I like about Mt. No State Park.  One of those things is the view from the back of ‘our’ cabin, which looks down into the valley below.  We had a great deal of fog during our visit this year, and I captured this image one morning as the fog in the valley was lifting.

Icy Tree on the Mountain

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This photo, taken from my archives, was taken on Mt. Nebo, in Arkansas in March, 2009.  There had been an ice storm during the night which left the the top of the mountain coated with ice.  I came upon this ice-encrusted tree when walking along the Rim Trail later in the day.

'Our' Mt. Nebo Cabin

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Betsy and I have been going to the same cabin on Mt. Nebo in Arkansas for about eight years.  As you can see, it’s beautiful and and just the right size for two people.  It’s in a perfect spot for enjoying the afternoon light, and for capturing those gorgeous Mt. Nebo sunsets.

Sunrise on Mt. Nebo

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Betsy and I get up early almost every morning when we visit Mt. Nebo to go to Sunrise Point to watch the sun come up on the other side of the Arkansas River valley.  It’s definitely a beautiful way to start the day.

My Beautiful Bride on Petit Jean Mountain

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On our first full day in Arkansas last month, Betsy and I did some sightseeing and hiking in Petit Jean Mountain State Park.  I got this picture of Betsy on the top of Petit Jean with the Arkansas River and Valley below her.

Garvan Woodland Gardens

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Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a beautiful place to visit in the Spring.  Betsy and I have stopped there a couple of times on our way to 'our' cabin on Mt. Nebo.  The trails through the gardens are beautiful, and we've enjoyed daffodils, tulips, and of course, azaleas.  Garvan Gardens also has an extensive rose garden which can be enjoyed later in the year.

Mt. Nebo Sunrise

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If you've followed this blog for any length of time you know how much Betsy and I enjoy Mt. Nebo in Arkansas and the sunsets we see from 'our' cabin.  But the sunrises are also pretty special.  We have to get up early enough to get to Sunrise Point, but as this photo shows, it is well worth the effort.

Mt. Nebo Falls

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Mt. Nebo Falls is a pretty little waterfall near the top of Mt. Nebo in Arkansas.  It requires a short, steep hike to get to the base of the falls, but we think it is worth it.

Mt. Nebo Sunset

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This picture shows one of the reasons we keep going back to Mt. Nebo in Arkansas.  I captured the setting sun over the mountains to the west from the back porch of 'our' cabin.  I'm pretty sure we'll be going back again.

Crooked Creek Falls

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Crooked Creek Falls is one of the waterfalls in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas that Betsy and I visited in 2010 on our way to Mount Nebo.  We had to take Forest Service roads into the mountains to find this waterfall, but when we got there we had it to ourselves.  Life doesn't get much better than that.