Crater of Diamonds State Park in Winter?
Nov 29th, 2007, 11:38 AM
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Crater of Diamonds State Park in Winter?
My wife and I are interested in digging for diamonds at the state park sometime within the next few months. We have funds that need to be used on Southwest Airlines before they expire that is the only reason why we would have to go in the winter months.
How is this park in the Winter?
Is the digging/searching harder because of the ground temp?
Does anyone not recommend this park during the winter?
How is this park in the Winter?
Is the digging/searching harder because of the ground temp?
Does anyone not recommend this park during the winter?
Nov 29th, 2007, 06:04 PM
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You shouldn't have any trouble digging as the ground never really freezes here in Arkansas. They've been finding some huge diamonds there lately.
The bigger problem is mud during the rainy months. Bring boots and rain gear. I don't think there are any accommodations in the park, but Murfreesboro is nearby.
I suggest you also visit Old Washington State Historic Park in the area. It's a living history museum town. Be sure to go to the blacksmith shop, with the smithy tells you all about Bowie knives--that's where they were first made.
If you're coming from Hope, you'll probably drive past the Hope Airport, where FEMA is storing thost 19,000 trailers they never sent to the Gulf Coast. Quite an amazing sight--your taxes being wasted.
The bigger problem is mud during the rainy months. Bring boots and rain gear. I don't think there are any accommodations in the park, but Murfreesboro is nearby.
I suggest you also visit Old Washington State Historic Park in the area. It's a living history museum town. Be sure to go to the blacksmith shop, with the smithy tells you all about Bowie knives--that's where they were first made.
If you're coming from Hope, you'll probably drive past the Hope Airport, where FEMA is storing thost 19,000 trailers they never sent to the Gulf Coast. Quite an amazing sight--your taxes being wasted.
Nov 30th, 2007, 06:49 AM
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We live near Hot Springs and get about 55 inches a year, so it rains every month. The heaviest times are in the spring and early summer--spring starting here in February. I definitely wouldn't let the possibility of rain stop you--just be prepared for it. Check the 14-day weather forecast before you come.
While you're in Little Rock, visit the Clinton Presidential Library. You should also visit Hot Springs National Park (downtown Hot Springs). The park is actually a row of old bathhouses where the social elite used to go for their health. The Park Service has turned one into a museum--be sure to watch their video which gives the history of the town and some interesting geological information about the hot springs.
The town of Hot Springs is a popular convention and tourist town and has a thriving art community. While you're downtown, visit Antique Row and the many art galleries.
I recommend lunch at The Brick House (hamburgers and steaks).
For an expensive Italian dinner, go to Belle Arti. Stop in at the Arlington Hotel and have a drink in the lobby. All are downtown.
While you're in Little Rock, visit the Clinton Presidential Library. You should also visit Hot Springs National Park (downtown Hot Springs). The park is actually a row of old bathhouses where the social elite used to go for their health. The Park Service has turned one into a museum--be sure to watch their video which gives the history of the town and some interesting geological information about the hot springs.
The town of Hot Springs is a popular convention and tourist town and has a thriving art community. While you're downtown, visit Antique Row and the many art galleries.
I recommend lunch at The Brick House (hamburgers and steaks).
For an expensive Italian dinner, go to Belle Arti. Stop in at the Arlington Hotel and have a drink in the lobby. All are downtown.
Nov 30th, 2007, 11:52 AM
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I can't think of anything special in the way of foods. In Hot Springs, a popular barbeque restaurant is McClard's, where Bill Clinton gets his 'que. Anyone in town can tell you how to get there. They also bottle their sauce and you can find it at Kroger's.
A better idea is to order online for some Arkansas specialties that you can eat at home. War Eagle Mills has good items (flours, cornmeal, bacon) if you can find them in a grocery store but you may have to go on their site. My favorite Arkansas food site is House of Webster in Rogers which still makes preserves and jams from berries hand-gathered by locals. I used to get possum grape jelly but there just aren't many possum grapes around anymore, but they still make huckleberry, elderberry, muscadine, etc. They also sell War Eagle products in their gift boxes. Webster does not sell through stores, although they have a small outlet in Rogers. Their main business is business gift baskets.
http://houseofwebster.com/index.php
Little Rock is the headquarters for several philanthropies that might interest you. My favorite is Heifer International; its new building is next to the Clinton Library. They will give you a short tour to explain their award-winning eco-friendly construction. Arkansas Rice Depot has wonderful food programs, especially their Food for Kids program that gives kids backpacks of food so they don't go hungry on the weekends. Winrock International, a global agricultural philanthropy founded by Winthrop Rockefeller, is also headquartered in Little Rock and has an eco-friendly new building. I don't think they give tours in their new building but they used to have a small display at their original site on Petit Jean Mountain where they showed how they worked with Third World farmers.
One more thing about the diamonds--we also have top-quality crystal mines in Arkansas. You can get a day permit to dig your own. There are several mines in the Mt. Ida area. Near Hot Springs, I would recommend the Ron Coleman mine near Jessieville.
As you can see, I think coming to Arkansas would be a good way to use those Southwest Airlines points!
A better idea is to order online for some Arkansas specialties that you can eat at home. War Eagle Mills has good items (flours, cornmeal, bacon) if you can find them in a grocery store but you may have to go on their site. My favorite Arkansas food site is House of Webster in Rogers which still makes preserves and jams from berries hand-gathered by locals. I used to get possum grape jelly but there just aren't many possum grapes around anymore, but they still make huckleberry, elderberry, muscadine, etc. They also sell War Eagle products in their gift boxes. Webster does not sell through stores, although they have a small outlet in Rogers. Their main business is business gift baskets.
http://houseofwebster.com/index.php
Little Rock is the headquarters for several philanthropies that might interest you. My favorite is Heifer International; its new building is next to the Clinton Library. They will give you a short tour to explain their award-winning eco-friendly construction. Arkansas Rice Depot has wonderful food programs, especially their Food for Kids program that gives kids backpacks of food so they don't go hungry on the weekends. Winrock International, a global agricultural philanthropy founded by Winthrop Rockefeller, is also headquartered in Little Rock and has an eco-friendly new building. I don't think they give tours in their new building but they used to have a small display at their original site on Petit Jean Mountain where they showed how they worked with Third World farmers.
One more thing about the diamonds--we also have top-quality crystal mines in Arkansas. You can get a day permit to dig your own. There are several mines in the Mt. Ida area. Near Hot Springs, I would recommend the Ron Coleman mine near Jessieville.
As you can see, I think coming to Arkansas would be a good way to use those Southwest Airlines points!
