Cotham's Mercantile Restaurant - Scott, Arkansas

If you’re ever passing through Scott Arkansas (just a little south of Little Rock) stop in to Cotham’s Mercantile Restaurant for one of their Hubcap Burgers. As you walk up to Cotham’s you might feel a little leery. The place looks like it is about to fall into the Swamp (actually Horseshoe Lake) it sits over. The place is literally falling apart and there is hardly a sign left on the front. That’s because Cotham’s was built in 1917 and served as a general mercantile store for the famers of Scott Arkansas. In fact Cotham’s faces a working seed farm. As you walk in most of the old mercantile is still intact. Old rustic goods and products line the shelves and many of the stores original furnishings are still present. You might have to wait awhile to be seated. Cotham’s is pretty popular despites its remote location.

The Hubcap burger is a good size (half a burger and some rings filled me up) and rates an 8.5 on a 10 point scale in my opinion. The patty is all beef and not too dry or greasy. When you order a hubcap make sure you get some of their onion rings. Each order comes with five large onion rings hand battered and freshly fried. If you are especially hungry you can order a large and get 10 onion rings.  Top it all off with a sweet potato fried pie and you will have yourself a small slice of heaven. Make sure to order the pie before you finish your lunch. Each one takes no less than 10 minutes to prepare.

 

My wife and I stopped in at Cotham’s today on our way to Tennessee to see the Great Smokey Mountains. We parked on the Grass across the street just in front of the old seed farm. We were seated right away despite a jam packed dining area. Service was fast but a tad unfriendly, lacking southern hospitality. I will give the poor waitress the benefit of the doubt, Lunch was very busy.

All in all our experience was great. Next time we are passing through Scott, we know where we will be eating.

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Park Review, Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

Dinosaur Valley State Park, located about an hour southwest of Fort Worth Texas, contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The park sits alongside the Paluxy River bed which, according to scientists, was an ancient ocean shore 113 million years ago. The park has four viewing sites where tracks are reported to be seen.Both theropods (three towed) and sauropods (large round feet) tracks have been discovered in the river bed. Many of the tracks in the park seem to have eroded almost completely away. Those that have not eroded where cut from the riverbed in the 1940’s and removed in giant limestone slabs. Only a few tracks remain in the park at all.

While I was there I could only see the three towed Theropod tracks and only at viewing site number two. Site two seems to be the only site where the tracks are clearly marked. At all the other viewing sites it felt more like a egg hunt trying to find holes in the river bed that might be a foot print. Site tree’s viewing area is on top of a high river bank and has been fenced off making viewing impossible. All the tracks are in the actual river bed, the best tracks require crossing the river on stepping stones, it is always wise to call ahead to check river conditions.

Dinosaur tracks are not the only thing to see in do in Dinosaur Valley. During the hot summer months the Paluxy becomes a refreshing swimming hole. Flow is slow and shallow making wading and swimming very enjoyable. The park has both primitive and full RV hook up camping facilities. Camping areas are nicely shaded and have clean restrooms and showers. There are no restrooms or showers in the primitive camping area. There are a nice variety of hiking trails stretching a total of 20 miles. The trails are clearly marked, well maintained, and accessible for mountain biking. Equestrian use is allowed in a separate 100-acer area.

The small town of Glen Rose lies adjacent to the park. Hotels, bed and breakfast, and other accommodations are available. Don’t expect to much, though, Glen Rose has done well in maintaining a small historic atmosphere.

Other nearby activities include Canoeing the Brazos river, or feeding the animals at Fossil Rim Wildlife Park.

Here is a link to a Picasa album of Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

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Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

Since we are Dallas visiting family over the holidays, I decided to take a short day trip to Glen Rose Texas and check out Dinosaur Valley State Park.  I arrived at the park headquarters about 8:30 am, checked in with the park ranger, and asked about recommended trails. The ranger at the desk recommended the Blue Trail which follows a ridge above the North shore of the Paluxy River.

I started out on the White Trail trailhead on the south side of the river. Within the first quarter mile I came to the Paluxy river crossing which consists of nothing more then a few strategically placed stepping stones. With river levels slightly higher than usual I had a hard time keeping my feet dry. More then 90% of the parks backcountry trails lie north of the river and there are no bridges within the park. I made it across the river with little incident and followed the blue trail along the ridge stopping frequently to take in views of the river.

The Blue Trail was short. No more then 2-3 miles in total length. Trail surface consist of lose rock and gravel. Moderate grades and little elevation change. The park has more than 20 miles of backcountry trails but unfortunately I only had the morning to explore.

At the end of the Blue Trail are some prehistoric dinosaur tracks embedded and preserved in the limestone river bottom. These are what gives the park its name. But I will talk more about that tomorrow.

Here is a link to a Picasa album of Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

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The Butt Face

Last week I read about The North Butt suing the South Face, (no wait…it’s the other way around). I get confused because of the way The North Face is acting. As it turns out the North Face is suing a college kid (or at least his company) for trademark infringement. The company, The South Butt, has lawyered up and is fighting back claiming:

“The South Butt has previously made it clear to the North Face that the consuming public is insightful enough to know the difference between a face and a butt,”

Hold on a second there Counsel, haven’t you ever head of a Butt Face? It seems to me that is what The North Face is being. So maybe you can understand that someone might get confused. The whole thing reminds me of a bad high school movie.  The popular jock can’t take a joke from the witty geek. So the jock gets its friends to bully him up a bit.

Seriously North Face. Your making yourselves look like jerks. Everyone (SouthernHiker, Out There) I have read on this subject seems to agree. The North Face is going to hurt sales with this lawsuit far worse then any parody company ever could.

I have to be honest, I was at Sun and Ski Sports today and found some nice North Face technical shirts for 40% off. I carried them with me for a long time in the store but ultimately put them back. I just couldn’t bring myself to buy them. I went with a major competing brand instead and actually paid more just so Butt Faces name wouldn’t be on my shoulder.

I saw today The South Butt apparel is available in St, Louis at Williams Pharmacies. I will be in St. Louis next week. I think I will have to pick up a shirt.

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Frozen, Ski Lifts, Rescue Beacons

I recently ran across this preview for a new movie set to come out in February called Frozen.



At first I thought it was another YouTube parody. But they really intend to make this movie. And why not with reports of 13 people injured after a ski lift in Southern Wisconsin ran backwards uncontrollably. The out of control ski lift prompted some to jump of their own free will while others held on until they slammed into a wood ceiling. Its the kind of story my wife hears and says "That's why I don't ski." Yet in more than 20 years of skiing I have never had a scary incident on a ski lift. Once when I was ten my mother fell more than 20 feet from a lift while trying to assist her young son. It was spring skiing in New Mexico with little snow to break her fall. But I don't remember being scared, and she wasn’t hurt, in fact she skied down to the bottom of the lift and got back on to meet me at the top. But just because she was okay doesn't mean ski lifts are safe. lets step back here and think. Maybe Skiers should be required to wear Rescue beacons just in case Ski Patrol suddenly (and out of character) gets lazy and stops doing last run mountain sweeps before closing. Or maybe Ski Jackets should come equipped with airbags in case you ever need to leap from a ski lift Or maybe...not.

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A Texas White Christmas

We don't get snow in Texas very often. So when we do its a big deal. Looks like it will be (very rare) White Christmas.

 

 

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Great Smokey Mountains

New years eve the wife and I will be headed to St. Louis for a Conference. We plan to take a significant detour and go see the Great Smokey Mountains in East Tennessee. While doing some research I found this live web cam from the National Park Service:

Hopefully I will be able to get some good pictures that I can share here. Either way I will keep this updated.

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Fall Colors on the Guadalupe River, Texas

These were taken some time ago but I ran across them recently and thought I would share.

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Columbia Sportswear

With the cold weather here my mind has been wandering toward winter sports. In particular a planed spring ski trip to the heart of the Colorado Rockies. I decided this year it was time for some new ski gear and started looking for a new Jacket and ski pants to keep me warm this spring. My problem is I’m a gear junkie. I love gear and I love getting new gear. The other problem is I’m broke and with a new baby in the house all the extra funds seem to be earmarked for baby gear. Not exactly the kind of gear I look forward to buying. So this winter I decided to try my luck with ebay auctions and happen to score a nice 3 in 1 Columbia Jacket for under $30.00 (retail is $200+). It worked out so well I went back to the auction block and bid on a pair of Columbia ski pants (Retail $80+) and won them for $22.60.

What I find most interesting is that there are a lot of top name brands up for bid. Brands like The North Face, Marmot, Patagonia and the like. All of the auctions featuring these brands tend to close at much higher prices. Columbia, however, doesn’t seem to retain as much resell value. This works out well for me as I have trusted Columbia in a number of my outdoor ventures for many years. But it begs the questions why? Does Columbia Sportswear not hold the same level of prestige as some of these other brands. Am I a fool for trusting my warmth and well being to Columbia Sportswear products. I don’t think so.

So much of the outdoor clothing market has become too fashion oriented.  With half my daughters school wearing  North Face Jackets I have all but dismissed them as a viable outdoor gear company. I guess I just prefer something a little less trendy.

I just placed the winning bid on a Columbia Fleece Jacket for $12.45.

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Maybe 60 feet is just too high!

Rush Sturges Broke his Back after landing flat off 60 foot high Bonita Falls in Argentina. The highest drop I have ever taken in a Kayak was just over four feet. It was intimidating in itself (at least to me). I can't imagine running  60 foot falls, much less the world record 186 foot Palouse Falls in Washington state run by Tyler Bradt. These guys are just insane. I understand the thrill of whitewater...but these record waterfall runs just seem a bit too exstream.

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