Thursday morning I got up before 6:00 a.m., determined to go down into Ponca and the Boxley Valley, on our last day of vacation, to view the elk. It is a known fact that elk stir late in the evenings and early in the mornings. Jackie got up, on this particular morning, to go with me and after grabbing a cup of coffee, we were on our way.
The "Arkansas" cabin that we stayed in was on a mountain overlooking the valley and other mountains. Each morning we had a beautiful sight to behold when we walked out to have coffee on the front porch. This morning was no different. As I stepped out, the view was simply breathtaking. The mist rising off of the buffalo river created a white fog that gave the appearance of a lake.
The sun was just beginning to rise on this cool clear morning. We were blessed the entire week with temps in the 60's and 70's. Temperatures such as this are unheard of in Arkansas in the month of July. Taking the view in just for a moment, we jumped
in the car and were off to scout for elk. As we rounded a bend, we were blessed to see several elk and their babies in an adjacent field. I pulled off the road, so as to not be a nuisance to the local folks, and sat there watching the cows and their babies, just enjoying the elk and the sounds of the morning. A baby elk nursed and several others romped and nibbled in the field while their mothers grazed. And then, I got to hear the sound I had to come hear, bugling. There is nothing like sitting in the valley on a beautiful cool morning, listening to the sounds of an elk's bugle. The sound echoes throughout the valley.
I decided to get out of the car to take a few photos and then we drove on down the road and turned around at the little Boxley church in the valley. Even though I have taken pictures of the swan numerous times, I couldn't resist stopping by to get another picture of him, a crane and a few ducks on the pond. The last few times I have been by the pond, there has only been one swan. I'm not sure what happened to his partner.
We drove down one last time to the buffalo river and much to our surprise, it was no longer the rolling muddy mess it was 2 days earlier. It was once again the peaceful tranquil setting I love.
Satisfied with the results of our morning excursion, we started back up the mountain and enjoyed the beautiful sunrise along the way.
Seth, Lee Anne and Porter were still sleeping when we returned to the cabin. Breakfast this particular morning consisted of ham and cheese biscuits along with muffins and pecan and sour cream bread picked up at Neighbor's Mill Bakery in Harrison. If you have never had bread or muffins from this place it is a must. I love stopping in and always buy more than what I intended.
We packed up after breakfast and reluctantly left our cabin. All vacations must come to an end but I wanted this one to continue. We checked out at the Buffalo Outdoor Center and decided to drive across the street to the Elk Center. Seth, Lee Anne and I went inside and looked around while Jackie sat in the vehicle with Porter. I snapped a photo of the two of them holding hands while walking into the center. It makes my heart smile to think they still do this after several years of marriage.
We left the Elk Center and started the trek up the mountain and back home to reality. We stopped by my sister's and my mom's house along the way and ended up with a lot of fresh veggies from the garden.
I have vacationed in many great places and states over the years and I must say this was right there at the top of my list. It's just hard to beat time spent with family, the convenience of it being right here at home and the wildlife and beauty that goes along with it. I've stated this several times this week, but I'll state it again, I am blessed and grateful for this week and time with family.
Newton County has so much to offer from beautiful views, spectacular sunrises and sunsets, hiking trails, waterfalls, horseback riding, tree canvas zip lining, the Buffalo River, canoeing and kayaking. There is also an abundance of wildlife including elk, turkeys, deer, and if you are fortunate or not so fortunate, you might just run onto a black bear. I hope my blogs and photos this week have given you just a little insight and a taste of my home county. I hope you get to visit one day. Until then, from my lens to yours......
One of my many passions is chasing sunsets. God has a great big canvas out there and every evening I enjoy watching his artwork appear in the sky. 
Many evenings I get in my vehicle and take off chasing. I chase until the sun completely disappears. So, if someday you see a lady parked beside the road with a camera stuck out her window, it's probably me. Stop along beside me and watch as God paints his masterpiece in the sky. 
