| Nearby, we have access to a national Civil War battlefield that is rich in history and culture. Just across the border, in the state of Arkansas, is the Pea Ridge battlefield. I have visited the facility in the past, but recently had the opportunity to see the park from a different point of view. The interpretive center was closed because of this little pandemic thing we've been experiencing lately, but I was still able to take a first look at the hiking trails on the property. These, though poorly labeled, offered me some alone time with the memories of both Blue and Gray soldiers, as well as the natural world. |
I really enjoyed the serenity that the five miles of exploration allowed. Not only was it an aerobic workout, it was also a peaceful moment to appreciate the historical and natural world and wonder about how it might have changed in the past 150 years. A couple of deer ran off before I could approach too closely to them, and I was able to find tracks of a few animals along the trail. I discovered a cave, a spring, and the location where hide tanning was carried out in a previous era.