Arkansas and what's next....... the end.

We finish up our time in Texas, free ourselves of the RV, and explore northern Arkansas in this final installment of the adventures of Thor Braxwood. Yes, you read that correctly, this is the final installment in this blog series but the adventures will continue. More on that later (that's a teaser in the biz). 

The sun is setting over this blog, but that doesn't mean the end of the adventure. 

I spent some time in downtown Paris, TX. Much like its namesake, it has businesses and parks along with people. In order to experience the full effect, I went to a cigar bar as second hand smoke is very European.

I had a very expensive old fashioned and I had to pay a membership fee to join. How was it? It was a good $12 drink, but I paid $28.I have not included the name as there is one cigar bar in town and I assume you can find it off the main square. The owner is nice and friendly but at these prices, I will not be back as I don't smoke cigars.

Park in downtown with a beautiful fountain.

As I indicated, I have sold the RV. I was able to pack everything up into the pickup and clean out the trailer. In case you are curious, RVs are a better investment than a boat but no where as good as a new car or Dogecoin from May of 2021 to today. 

One final look inside

The hunting hounds squeezed in the front seat as the back was full along with the bed of the truck. Basically my RV contents had to be loaded in the truck. The downside of homelessness is that your vehicle is packed.

Our next stop was Arkansas. I have visited the state before but this time I focused my search for Bigfoot in the northwest portion of the state (NWA - not to be confused with the musical group). This area is booming and holds many locations where one would expect to locate a cryptid in search of a good time. Obviously I was without a trailer, so I rented an Airbnb for my time there. 

First stop - Natural State Beer. Good options and delicious. It was a bit pricey but certainly not Maine expensive.

Our next stop was at Ozark Beer. They had a nice patio space and since the hunting hounds and I had just finished a training exercise in tracking of cryptids, we decided to check out the space. The joy of mid-day drinking is that you are often given a lot of space and the people you meet at the bar are more interesting. In this case we sat outside a table away from others so the dogs could relax and keep an eye out for Big Foot. Image 10 picnic tables set up outside and I am at one of them. Naturally the next people would take a table at least one away from me, but that did not happen. They sat right next to me. Then one of them lit up their cigarette and started smoking. I guess that is your right, as it is legal for someone to stand next to you at a line of urinals, but that doesn't make it ok. C'mon people, some common courtesy please. We relocated for the next beer to a different table and baked in the sun.

Lucy wanting to know if she could have one too. The answer was no, she had to share. At least she wasn't smoking.

While in NWA, I also had to check out surrounding areas. This included sites previously documented on the adventure in Mountain Home - Rapp's Barren and Stories Whiskey Bar. We also checked out a new brewery in .town - Parlor Brewing. Great beer and decent prices. Plus one of the gentlemen working there had done some work at Point Beach for NextEra. 

Parlor Brewing. Nice people, good beer, decent prices. This is prime Big Foot hunting territory.

I also decided to check out eastern Oklahoma since it was right next door. If you have only been to western Oklahoma you are missing out on the prettiest part of the state. I went on a hike with someone I had met through mutual friends and they brought their dog while mine rested at the Airbnb. 

Natural Falls State Park was lovely. The trails went for miles and the scenery was stunning. Seriously, check out eastern Oklahoma, you will be pleasantly surprised.

No visit to NWA would be complete without checking out Eureka Springs. I met up with some friends (S&S) and enjoyed the wood carving event in town. Next stop was at Gotahold Brewing and we relaxed in their outside space and enjoyed an excellent food truck meal. It had the vibe of a north woods space with the trees and pine needles except it was April, I was in shorts and sandals, and I was comfortable. 

Outside beers are served in metal cups to avoid breakage. Pretty clever,

After trekking around the area in search of Big Foot, I decided to check out a local historical site. The battle of Pea Ridge in the Civil War was the largest battle up to that point in the western theater. The Union victory there (along with the following victory at nearby Prairie Grove) allowed the Union to secure Missouri and NWA for the Union and effectively ended Confederate action in the far west.

Canons lined up on the battlefield. The final victory for the Union had a line of soldiers over a mile long in the attack. Apparently the sight was so terrifying with the sun glinting off the bayonets that many left the field to avoid the charge. 

As the search for cryptids cannot rest for too long, I knew I had to get back at the chase. I have suspected for awhile that the secret cabal was tracking my movements so I decided to lay a trap for them by carefully selecting my next stops.

Had a great beer and street tacos from the food truck at Bentonville Brewing. Decent beer and a good bar space. Too many bougie people for Big Foot but still a nice visit.

A stop at New Province was a welcome relief from the heavy thunderstorm that came through. Beer was good and they have a very large production facility. 

I enjoyed a glass of wine and a nice treat at Ramo d'Olivio in Bentonville. Good wine selection but no sign of Big Foot (as I suspected).

Rendezvous Junction was also great. The bartender had lived in Milwaukee but was from Illinois (Bears fan) and a couple at the bar was from Pulaski, WI. I have been to Pulaski and it is not large so I found it amusing to run into people in the middle of the day drinking at a bar and they are from a small town in Wisconsin. Really, what are the odds? Seems like my trap has been tripped.

I saw this on a vehicle and thought it would be an ideal final image for my blog. 

As  I have mentioned, this is the final entry in my blog. I have suspected for some time that my hunt has been compromised. I have already gotten rid of my RV and I will be getting a different vehicle to travel in but I will not be mentioning it here. The organization has been thwarting my search and I have to be more stealthy in my endeavors. I know this may disappoint my most loyal followers but be assured that my adventure and hunt will continue. I have made some amazing discoveries and I believe I am closer than ever to finding Big Foot and several other cryptids. I would like to share more but I know that Big Brother is reading this blog. Let's just say that I am very close to a major break through, but I have been sworn to confidentiality on the details. Just know that there is a counter group to the cabal which is actually protecting Big Foot from their efforts to exploit and profit off of Big Foot's image and likeness. It turns out Big Foot is the victim in this and I will not do anything to bring any more exposure of Big Foot to the nefarious elements of that secret coterie of powerful forces. The secret group that I thought was protecting Big Foot turns out to be only trying to stop people from finding Big Foot so they can continue to sell merchandise, TV shows, and movies about Big Foot and not out of any concern for Big Foot. Truly an evil group and I am thankful I have avoided supporting their ends by attempting to profit off of my search in any way. We all must do our part to protect Big Foot from those that seek to profit from this majestic creature. 

I am always open to sharing my adventures but I have not yet determined how to safely do this without risking Big Foot's exposure to those that would seek to make money off of the cryptid. Until I figure out a good way, I will be forced to go "radio silent". Be assured though that I will not end the adventure.

As always, and forever,

Thor