Stepping out of your comfort zone

Stepping out of my comfort zone lately has really given my mind an awakening.

It is good to see what else is out in the world; it revives the soul.

On my first state familiarization tour, we were introduced to kayaking. I was smitten but a smidge scared too. Since then I’ve wanted to learn more and spend more time on the water. Recently I took a step out of my comfort zone and enrolled in a kayaking course and earned a certification to lead kayak tours. I am so excited!

Moro Bay State Park’s superintendent has agreed to partner with Arkansas’ South and the Welcome Center to host kayak tours! Isn’t this exciting? If you’ve never

been on one of Moro Bay’s kayak tours, give them a call today to see if they have one coming up. Keep an eye on this column for details about Arkansas’ South tour plans.

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There is really a lot to do here in El Dorado. It is easy for those living here to forget that Union County, as well as the other six surrounding counties, have lakes,

parks, walking trails and museums. We tend to think that since we’ve been to the museum, we’ve seen it all; but museums update and add displays.

The Murphy Arts District offers something for everyone and is growing its diversity with each new day.

In Arkansas’ South, there is the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, Overflow National Wildlife Refuge and the Moro Big Pine Natural Area-Wildlife Management Area.

We have seven state parks including the South Arkansas Arboretum, The Museum of Natural Resources, Moro Bay State Park, Poison Springs State Park, White Oak State Park, Logoly State Park and Mark’s Mill State Park.

Civil War buffs have plenty to see in the seven-county area that makes up Arkansas’ South. There are festivals, rodeos, county fairs and various cookoffs. We have film festivals, art galleries and fishing tournaments for those well-rounded Renaissance-types.

Step out of your comfort zone and try out for a play at the South Arkansas Arts Center.

Start hiking in one of our local state parks. Rediscover our area. Invite a long-distance friend to come spend time here.

Forget that you may have seen it all here. Go out and start over and enjoy what we have been blessed with in Arkansas’ South.