Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Happy trails
HAPPY TRAILS HIATUS
Location: Happy Trails, in its wisdom, always takes off the hottest part of the Arkansas summer and hides out in the shade. One cool spot is Elkhorn Tavern at Pea Ridge National Military Park. GPS: 36.453690, -94.015384.
Length: Instead of distance, this “hiatus hike” is one of time. Let’s all meet back here once the humidity is no longer a soul-sucking sauna and we don’t leave sweat puddles just walking to the car.
Main attractions: Other places to keep cool are any state park with a lake. Pick one and chill out.
Hazards: Taking a break will avoid summer hazards such as ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes and those dang biting thingamabobs (maybe horse flies or deer flies) that chase you down the trail. Dog, bike, tyke friendly?: The parks would love for you to bring them along. Keep them on a leash. The dogs, that is.
Video: ArkansasOnline.com/ happytrails. This week, the video is a special slide show of “cool” places Happy Trails has hiked over the past 12 years. Check it out. How many have you visited?
Rating (out of five):
..... — Michael Storey