Yes, we have Barbecue in Arkansas

Thank goodness we are blessed to have really good barbecue right here in Arkansas.  From Naaman's in Texarkanna, Allens in Arkadephia, Fat Boys in Caddo Valley and McClards in Hot Springs your are sure to find delicious spicy meat smoked to perfection.

Traveling from Texas most folks will drive through Texarkanna.  If you plan accordingly have lunch at Naaman's Championship Barbecue.  This has almost become a ritual for Edie and I on our trips back and forth to Houston.  Great ribs, tender Brisket, and usually something special, like huge Beef spare ribs.  It's all as they say, "Championship".

Next up in Arkadelphia is Allen's Barbecue.  A nice little hole in the wall serving up some of the best brisket around.  The sides are generous and very tasty.  With 3 different sauces, original, sweet and my favorite spicy, your sure to find the perfect sauce to compliment your meat choice.

Fat Boys Fine Dining located in Caddo Valley serves up a full menu of Barbecue meats, steaks, catfish, and don't forget the homemade desserts.  Our good friends Shannon and Trena drive from Hot Springs just to eat at Fat Boys.

McClards in Hot springs is an institution to Barbecue.  Since 1928 McClard's has been serving up smoked meats and the best Cole slaw ever to locals and the few tourists able to find it.  Go hungry or you will leave food on your plate.  Did someone say plates, the Tamale plate is completely over the top, that's right, Homemade Tamales at a Barbecue joint.  They must be good we see them ordered frequently.  One day we will try the tamales, it's just very hard not to order the Barbecue.  It's so melt in your mouth good!

Next time your thinking about good barbecue, consider a trip to the Diamond Lakes region of Arkansas.  You can book a stay at Remember When Cabins and eat at one of all of our favorite barbecue restaurants.

 

Arkansas Mountain Bike Adventure, Iron Mountain

To really unwind from the busy life of making a living, nothing beats an Arkansas mountain bike adventure. We are fortunate to have the Iron Mountain Trail system so close.  Novice or seasoned veterans, can find trails to meet your skill level.  This morning the temperature was in the low 70's, sunshine, a prefect time to enjoy the outdoors and improve my riding skills.  Some of you might recall my last outing.  It included the dreaded fall over.   Not this time.  I killed the mountain at a slow pace (I consider myself a novice).  Decided to ride the north side of Iron Mountain on the orange and blue trails hoping to take it a little easier on myself.  The yellow and green trails on the south side have some pretty narley climbs not to mention big rocks.

Triathlon in Arkansas, Degray Lake Tri Fest August 15-16 2015

When I think of a Triathlon, images of long distance swims, runs, and cycling by the best athletes in the world pop into my head.  While that is partly true, the Degray Lake Tri Fest has events for almost any athlete, seasoned or beginner.  The two day event is held at the Spillway Area parking lot and boat ramp on the southeast shore of beautiful Degray Lake Arkansas.  Degray Lake has been rated one of the cleanest lakes in the country.  Degray Lake Information.  With 6 events to choose from there is a race for everyone.  The Super Spillway Sprint consists of a 225 yard swim followed by a 6 mile bike and finished off with a 1.5 mile run.  For the seasoned athletes the Tri Arkansas consists of a 1500 meter swim, 39k bike, and 10k run.  That should get your blood flowing!

[caption id="attachment_455" align="alignleft" width="150"] Degray Lake Tri Fest Finish Line[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_452" align="alignleft" width="151"] Race Time[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_456" align="alignleft" width="155"] Degray Lake Tri Fest Bikes[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

If racing is not really your idea of a quality weekend, then volunteer.  There are plenty of opportunities to assist the promoters in making this race a reality.   Be a part of set up/ take down, guiding, even clean up.  Contact DLT Events for more information.

Having personally been both a participant and spectator, I can tell you it is a blast!  My tri athlete daughter talked me into doing the sprint a few years ago.  It was a awesome experience made even better by cheering each other on to the finish line.

Hopefully you will take part in this years event and enjoy the the spirit of competition while taking in the beauty of the Ouachita Mountains.

 

Outdoor Shower, Swinging Bed will have you Loving Nature!

Like many of our guests, the outdoors has always been a passion of ours and our favorite place to be.  We are fortunate to have successfully created a romantic resort with amazing scenery, abundant wildlife, natural seclusion, privacy, a good mix of shade, sunshine and summer breezes.  We have received numerous comments from our guests about how much they enjoyed all of these things during their stay.

In an effort to enhance our guest’s enjoyment of the outdoors we have added two exciting new features to our Romantic Creek and Rustic Romance cabins.  They now have a swinging bed and an outdoor shower!

The screened in porch is home to a wonderful custom full size swinging bed.  This private location is the perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, afternoon nap, reading or snuggling with your favorite person.

[caption id="attachment_433" align="alignnone" width="300"] Swinging Bed[/caption]

The back deck has a new addition we are calling the “Walk on the wild side” outdoor shower.   Refresh at the end of the day, middle of the day or late night (you choose) in a partially enclosed shower which allows for viewing of all the nature around you. Star gazing from the shower or the hot tub is a must. Both the shower and hot tub are open to the sky.

[caption id="attachment_415" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Outdoor Shower[/caption]

Another special place to enjoy nature at Remember When is our “Beginnings Garden”.  This is a place where our guests can sit, relax and enjoy what is shaping up to be beautiful perennial gardens. There is even a rustic wood beverage cooler for your refreshments.

[caption id="attachment_413" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beginnings Garden[/caption]

Plentiful rains this spring have left us with lots of beautiful green and an abundance of natural privacy between all cabins. Cooler fall temperatures are just around the corner and will be just the right time to enjoy these new additions.

If you are planning a Honeymoon,  Anniversary, or just a Romantic Cabin retreat book a stay at Remember When Cabins... you'll be glad you did!

 

Spring is in the air at Remember When Cabins

[caption id="attachment_388" align="alignnone" width="300"] Spring is in the air at Remember When Cabins[/caption]

We never know what to expect during our Arkansas winters.  Some years it snows and some years it rains.  Sure you can check the weather and long term forecasts as a gauge, but you really won't be sure until it happens.  Take this year for example.  We heard many predictions that this would be a very cold winter.  We experienced  a few nights in the upper teens, but nothing like our first winter.  Edie and I had just opened Remember When Cabins in September of 2010 and were living in a camper.  Yes, a camper!  Two adults and 2 dogs.  It was such a big camper when we first moved onto the property, it's amazing how it seemed to shrink after only a few months.  Sorry, I got off track.  I was telling you about winter wasn't I?  We were told it rarely snows in our area which is just south of Hot Springs.   The first snow hit in January.  8" of the stuff.  Wow it was pretty and cold!  Did I mention it was 4 degrees?  We got 2 more 8" snows that winter which was the most south central Arkansas had experienced in recent history.  Did I mention we were in a camper?

This year has been our typical, no snow mild temperatures and rain.  It's early February and trees are starting to put on buds, the birds are singing, and the days are warming up.  Yes, spring is almost here.  We can't wait for some early morning hikes at DeGray Lake as well as day trips and hikes at Lake Catherine, Mt Magazine and Hot Spring National Forest.

Being able to experience and enjoy all four seasons was a main reason we moved to Arkansas.  We have not been disappointed!  Each year we add more endings to the phrase "Remember When".