Adventure Log: Arkansas Trip
Overview
My girlfriend and I recently took a trip to Arkansas to visit our friend, J (we'll just call him J for privacy purposes). The trip was a mix relaxing drives, scenic hikes, good food,a nd a lot of time spent catching up with someone who I've been friends with for a few years now. Overall, it was a refreshing, exciting, and very tiring weekend that was absolutely worth it.
Stop 1: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Our first stop was Hot Springs National Park, where we took a brief nature walk and visited Anthony Chapel. When we arrived, there was a wedding happening inside the chapel, so we decided to wait about an hour until it was over. Once we finally went inside, the chapel was astonishingly beautiful. We took some photos, enjoyed the moment, and then continued on our way to Little Rock.
Stop 2: J's Apartment
By the time we reached Little Rock, I was noticeably tired from the drive up from Houston. J let us into his apartment, where we unloaded all of our bags and settled in. We also met Chloe, his cat, and it really did feel like it had been a while since I had seen J in person. The whole atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, which made it easy to settle into the weekend.
Dinner in Little Rock
That night, the three of us went out to a ramen bar nearby for dinner. Little Rock is one of those cities where everything feels close by, so getting around was easy and convenient. The ramen was fine, but the real highlight was just being there and getting to spend time together after the drive.
Learning From J
After dinner, we returned to J's apartment, where he showed us some of his previous photos and talked about a three-month adventure he once went on with a previous friend. J is a photographer by hobby, and it is obvious that he loves it. Since I akm still pretty new to photography, a lot of the technical details were new to me, but it was especially interesting watching my girlfriend and J talk about his work. I also learned a lot about masking and focus stacking, which were valuable lessons I will definitely use later.
Petit Jean State Park, Cedar Falls Hike
The next morning, we spent a little time getting ready before heading out to Petit Jean STate Park for the cedar Falls hike. The drive was about an hour to an hour and a half, but it was worth it. Once we arrived, we were greeted by a beautiful cliffside view of the forest we had been driving through. The hike itself was wet, muddy, and a little messy, but it was still a lot of fun.
Our destination was Cedar Falls, which looked small from a distance at first, but became incredible once we got closer. Standing near the waterfall, the sound of the water crashing below was so loud that it drowned out conversation even from people only a few feet away. The hike back up was exhausting, and my pants were basically destroyed by mud, but the view made every bit of it worth it.
Summit Trail West and Pinnacle Mountain
AFter lunch and a bit more time at J's apartment, we headed to Pinnacle Mountain via Summit Trail West. The hike up was steep, exhausting, and honestly pretty difficult, especially for someone like me who lives in Houston and is not exactly used to that kind of elevation. Even so, the view at the top was absolutely worth it.
From the peak, we could see downtown Little Rock, the road we had just driven on, and even a storm moving in the distance. Not longer after we reached the top, the weather started turning. Clouds rolled in quickly, the rain started falling, and the rocks became slippery as we made our way down Summit Trail West. The descent was tricky, but the whole experience made the hike feel even more memorable.
Barbecue and the Ride Home
After the hike, we went out for barbecue at a restaurant J had been wanting to try. Even though I usually am not the biggest fan of barbecue, this place completely changed my mind. It was easily the best barbecue I have ever had, even after living in Texas all my life. It gave me a second opinion on the food that I did not expect to have.
We returned to J's apartment, showered, and went to bed. The next morning, I already felt behind on sleep, but it was also the day I had to drive my girlfriend and I back home. The trip back felt long, and we did not get home until around 6pm. When we got home, my girlfriend and I went out for poke to end the weekend on a good note.
Final Thoughts
Even with the long drives, the rain, the mud, and the tiredness, the trip was incredibly worth it. Getting to visit J, explore a few beautiful places in Arkansas, and spend all that time with my girlfriend made the entire weekend feel special. It was the kind of trip that leaves you exhausted but in the best possible way.