NW Arkansas...
Who would have thought. I never did.
According to most U.S. Cost of Living Indexes, Arkansas comes in as number one as the lest expensive state to live within.
- Because of the 2008 financial crash, "Cost of Living" rates number one for Cathy and I, whether we like it or not.
- Location, location, location... We are both country folk. Both raised in the country, want to stay in the country, and want to be in a location that resonates common sense and safety. Imagine a place where you can leave your key in your car and the car and house are unlocked. There is approximately 3 million in the entire state of Arkansas.
- Mountain Biking rated as Number 3 on our priority list. So we were constantly comparing location to trail access. As many know, I am more a wilderness adventure rider by heart. Arkansas has that.
- Water Sports is number 4. Kayaking has been so far off our radar for so long that it's time to bring it back on board.
- Weather. The only real downfall to Arkansas is hot weather and potentially bugs (mosquito's). With over 285 sunny days (plus) and an actual 4 seasons. Much of Arkansas is humid in the summer. However, Huntsville is relatively drier and our location is relatively mosquito free.
5 minutes is Upper and Lower Wharton Creek from the house for fly fishing.
20 minutes to War Eagle Creek (By California standards is more a river) for fishing and kayaking offering 23 miles of float down the river. There is also a mountain bike agility loop in Huntsville.
35 Minutes away is Ponca with both a Mountain Bike Park and the Buffalo National River for fishing and Kayaking.
48 Minutes away is Pension Mountain, Mountain Bike Park
52 minutes away is Upper Buffalo Head Waters Mountain Bike Park
53 Minutes away is Hobbs State Park a huge Mountain Bike Park, along with the White River and one of the largest reservoirs in Arkansas... yup Beaver Lake that provides 482 miles of shoreline.
58 Minutes away is Eureka Springs, Passion Play, and Lake Leatherwood, Mountain Bike Parks.
1 hour and 30 minutes away is Bentonville
Heading South
48 Minutes is the White River for Kayaking and fishing.
1 hour 23 minutes is Devils Den Mountain Bike Park
1 hour 34 minutes is Lake Fort Smith Mountain Bike Park
3 hours away is the Quachita Recreational Trail that runs for 108 miles through the Ozarks. A bike packing trip (
@mike ) or can be broken up into several day rides.
Then of course there is a little thing called the Arkansas River...