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a day in the Ozarks is a day well spent

August 19, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner 18 Comments

a day in the Ozarks

Whenever our family goes on vacation to Lake Norfork, one of my favorite days always turns out to be the morning I spend by myself exploring and poking around in nearby little Ozark towns. This year’s girls’ trip was no exception. Mid-week, when the thought of putting my bathing suit back on (gah!) was about as appealing as running a marathon, I woke early to beat the heat and headed toward White River.

Although everyone was invited, no one else saw the fun in it, so off I went. And I limited myself to $25 for shopping because a) I don’t need another thing, and b) making a game out of it is more fun.

Along historic downtown Calico Rock, there are a couple of antique / flea market type establishments. I decided right then and there, if I had a lake cabin, I would decorate my Christmas tree with fishing lures. Without buying anything, I made in past displays of mismatched china and antique jewelry and linens I didn’t dare touch. Yay me.

Fishing Lures

The Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center is definitely worth a stop. Not only does it include local artisan crafts for sale and historical exhibits about life along White River, but it includes a small library and writing room (see pic below). I made my first purchases here—a handmade pottery dish (because I can’t not support local artists) and a book about Calico Rock (because I can’t not support local writers). A $15 dent in my shopping allowance but worth it.

A day in the Ozarks - Calico Rock

I was drawn to the railroad track that runs along White River. As I walked along side it, I imagined the views haven’t changed since the track was laid at the turn of the century. Hobos? I saw not a single one.

Calico Rock railroad track

No trip to Calico Rock would be complete without dipping a toe in icy White River. And I wanted to go trout fishing just to ride in one of these johnboats.

White River is a truly spectacular river renowned for some of the best trout fishing in America.

White River, Calico Rock, Ar

See the mist coming off the water? A hot, humid day and ice cold water will do that. The water temperature stays a constant year-round 50 degrees. The air temperature along the riverbank felt pleasant, at least fifteen degrees cooler than in town.

White River

Where might one see an old fisherman crossing sign? Only in Arkansas, of course.

Fisherman Crossing

After my trip down to the river, I explored Calico Rock’s ghost town. Yes, you read that correctly. Calico Rock is the only town in the U.S. with a ghost town inside the city limits. I’ll be writing an article about this soon for OnlyinArkansas(dot)com, but here’s a sneak peek of the jail.

Creepy.

Calico Rock Ghost Town Jail

At high noon, the sidewalks were blazing hot, I hadn’t eaten a bite all day, and I felt pretty sure I had chiggers from my ghost town adventure. In fact, after all my exploring, I was beginning to look like a hobo. No matter, I stopped in at the Printing Press Cafe on Main Street and ordered sustenance. A butterscotch malt. DELICIOUS. (Don’t judge.)

And no, food/drinks never go against the shopping allowance. Everyone knows this, right?

Butterscotch Malt from Printing Press Cafe.

There was so much more to share about this Ozark day, but I’m wondering if anyone is still reading. Conclusion later…

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]A day in the #Ozarks is a day well spent. @ArTourism #CalicoRock #WhiteRiver #trout[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Larry & His Flask, Hobo’s Lament

 

 

Filed Under: Simple Pleasures, Travel Tagged With: Calico Rock, The Ozarks, trout dock, White River

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Comments

  1. Brittney says

    August 19, 2015 at 8:04 am

    What a fun morning of exploration!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 19, 2015 at 8:55 am

      Thanks, Brittney, it was! Really, it’s one of my favorite things to do.

      Reply
  2. June Graham says

    August 19, 2015 at 9:00 am

    I would have explored with ya. !!!!!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 20, 2015 at 5:41 am

      Thanks, Ms. June!! That would have been fun. No telling what trouble we could have gotten into.

      Reply
  3. Beth says

    August 19, 2015 at 10:17 am

    I love the Old Fisherman crossing sign! Looking forward to the conclusion! 🙂

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 20, 2015 at 5:41 am

      I thought it was a unique sign! Thanks, Beth!

      Reply
  4. Colene says

    August 19, 2015 at 6:36 pm

    Gosh, I could have read a lot more but I will be patient and wait for your conclusion. By the way, the butterscotch malt sounds like the perfect breakfast, in my opinion.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 20, 2015 at 5:41 am

      It was delicious and something I associate with the lake:) An indulgence for sure.

      Reply
  5. Barbara Tate says

    August 19, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    I just read the sign on the jail when I read this the second time tonight: “$5 FINE for talking to the prisoners.”

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 20, 2015 at 5:42 am

      Yes, and the only way someone could have talked to a prisoner is through those tiny holes in the walls.

      Reply
  6. Gail says

    August 20, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Of course we were still reading! I love when you post about Arkansas and Mississippi Co. It’s about as close as I get to my home state and home county. <3

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 21, 2015 at 5:30 am

      Thanks! Glad you enjoy the home posts. There’s no place like home:)

      Reply
  7. Martha Orlando says

    August 21, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    What an awesome day full of unique adventures! Thanks for sharing the great photos, too.
    Blessings!

    Reply
  8. Joy Mckenzie says

    August 22, 2015 at 9:03 am

    I love to read your blogs. You put so much history, details, and love in them. I feel like I have been there. I read the second one first, now I need to reread. Makes me homesick for Arkansas.

    Reply
  9. Dorothy Johnson says

    August 25, 2015 at 7:00 am

    I would have gone with you! Great pictures. I didn’t know about the ghost town within Calico Rock.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 25, 2015 at 7:04 am

      Thanks, Dorothy! Yes, the ghost town is interesting. I’ll be writing about this soon for Only in Arkansas.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Calico Rock the Ghost Town - Cleburne Press says:
    October 6, 2015 at 7:04 am

    […] information on additional local sites visit my other Ozark stories HERE […]

    Reply
  2. Calico Rock Ghost Town - Only In Arkansas says:
    April 8, 2019 at 9:21 am

    […] information on additional local sites visit my other Ozark stories HERE and […]

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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