The next day’s drive was through to Mena on the 71 was lush and tropical and is the commencement of the Ouachita Mountains. The towns on this route were insignificant, but the scenery made up for this. We turned off the 71 onto the 80 and drove through a valley containing what must have been the poultry capital of America because they were all along the valley. There weren’t many pull offs along this road suitable for an overnight spot, so we finished up driving into Danville. We thought that we could perhaps find the local park 
to stay at overnight. We couldn’t find it but as we were driving around we noticed a man working in his garden, we asked him if he knew where it was. He scratched his head and thought for a while and said that we couldn’t be further away from it. He then suggested that we follow him and he would show us. We followed him across town and we arrived there we found a very large recreation area including baseball field where there was a game in progress. Our guide pointed to the different areas and facilities. He must have realized that we were going to stay there overnight, as he said that the police usually make sweeps through at night but if anybody asks, tell them that Alderman…………said it would be ok. The night was extremely hot so we left the door open. Sometime during the night we were woken up by torches shining in the door, a loud two way radio making registration checks, and the men in blue asking “what y’all doing here”. If I had been more awake I would have said “trying to sleep”. They eventually left saying that we don’t usually see people here at night and “Y’all take care now”. Haven’t been caught in a police raid for some time! After leaving Danville we drove 
along the 27 through mountains covered with tall Pine trees, once again picture post card country! Had lunch at one end of Lake Ouachita, which is a huge expanse of water covering many square miles, it was so nice we spent a few hours there. After lunch we joined the 270 and drove to a COE campsite on lake Ouachita, magnificent setting right on the lake with forests all around, power, hot showers, all life’s luxuries. We stayed there for two nights. Another great thing about the COE campsites is that they have a late checkout time 3.00/4.00 PM. We only drove a few miles down the road when we saw a sign for another COE campsite; we drove in to have a look. It was six miles in on a windy, but beautiful road. When we arrived we decided to stay the night here. This one had most of the amenities of a resort, including a restaurant. Once we had set up, connected power, water sewer etc, our neighbor came over and ask us which part of California we were from. After the usual explanation he was quite intrigued with us. Because it was hot he offered to take us out on 
the lake on his “barge”, he said we will “make our own breeze”. So after only having been there about an hour, here we were out on this beautiful lake with total strangers having a great time. Tomorrow we would leave and never see them again, not even an exchange of phone numbers. It’s amazing the people you meet on the road.
Currently at Charma NM
Till next time, Brian & Michele
to stay at overnight. We couldn’t find it but as we were driving around we noticed a man working in his garden, we asked him if he knew where it was. He scratched his head and thought for a while and said that we couldn’t be further away from it. He then suggested that we follow him and he would show us. We followed him across town and we arrived there we found a very large recreation area including baseball field where there was a game in progress. Our guide pointed to the different areas and facilities. He must have realized that we were going to stay there overnight, as he said that the police usually make sweeps through at night but if anybody asks, tell them that Alderman…………said it would be ok. The night was extremely hot so we left the door open. Sometime during the night we were woken up by torches shining in the door, a loud two way radio making registration checks, and the men in blue asking “what y’all doing here”. If I had been more awake I would have said “trying to sleep”. They eventually left saying that we don’t usually see people here at night and “Y’all take care now”. Haven’t been caught in a police raid for some time! After leaving Danville we drove 
along the 27 through mountains covered with tall Pine trees, once again picture post card country! Had lunch at one end of Lake Ouachita, which is a huge expanse of water covering many square miles, it was so nice we spent a few hours there. After lunch we joined the 270 and drove to a COE campsite on lake Ouachita, magnificent setting right on the lake with forests all around, power, hot showers, all life’s luxuries. We stayed there for two nights. Another great thing about the COE campsites is that they have a late checkout time 3.00/4.00 PM. We only drove a few miles down the road when we saw a sign for another COE campsite; we drove in to have a look. It was six miles in on a windy, but beautiful road. When we arrived we decided to stay the night here. This one had most of the amenities of a resort, including a restaurant. Once we had set up, connected power, water sewer etc, our neighbor came over and ask us which part of California we were from. After the usual explanation he was quite intrigued with us. Because it was hot he offered to take us out on 
the lake on his “barge”, he said we will “make our own breeze”. So after only having been there about an hour, here we were out on this beautiful lake with total strangers having a great time. Tomorrow we would leave and never see them again, not even an exchange of phone numbers. It’s amazing the people you meet on the road.Currently at Charma NM
Till next time, Brian & Michele
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