Trumpeter Swans

My parents live in Heber Springs, AR.  They have been telling us for years about these Swans that show up on this lake and stay for the winter. Not Greers Ferry lake, but Magness Lake just outside of town.  We were at my parents for Thanksgiving and my dad said that the swans were in town.  So we took a drive out to see them.

They are Fabulous! The swans are Trumpeter Swans, the largest Native bird in North America.  They weigh up to 30lbs with a wingspan of 8'.  We carried Shelled corn to feed them, which is the only thing recommended for feeding.

Bottoms UP!

  

Apparently, they are a pretty big DEAL!  See, these birds don't migrate this far south.  Normally, they are found in Wyoming, Alaska and Canada.  In, 1991. three birds showed up.  The following year they brought friends and family and each year the group coming here has grown.  I don't know how many was there that day.  A LOT! I think the count is getting near 200.

 People come from miles....to see them.  It is a steady stream of cars.  I was amazed at the traffic in and out.  This lake is on privately owned property.  Please be respectful of that.

 The pure white swans are the older swans, and the grays are the younger.  As they age they turn white.  There is a mix of ducks there as well.

We didn't get to see any fly....I took this picture off of an AR game site.

The best time to view them is in the afternoon.  Some fly off in the day to feed elsewhere. They will be in town until Feb ?  Their on their own schedule.  Check them out if you any where near the area.

Directions: Drive east on Arkansas Highway 110 from its intersection with Arkansas 5 and Arkansas 25 just east of Heber Springs. Go 3.9 miles from the intersection to Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, on the right and marked with a white sign. Turn left on Hays Road, a paved county road. Magness Lake is about a half-mile down this road, and a gravel parking area is at an S curve in the road.

An Afternoon in Hot Springs, AR

One of my favorite places, Hot Springs, AR.  I love the mountains, the lakes, the racetrack, the history and love downtown.  This is suppose to be a Vacation home.....so I want to feel like I am on a vacation and explore new things.  I am always in search of something we haven't seen.  Saturday was a beauty and we decided to get out for a drive.

We headed downtown and checked out a new store that I had found on the internet, Casa Bella. Cute interior decor! Check them out:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-Bella-of-Hot-Springs/146019068781188

Then, we headed North.....On Central. past The Arlington, and swung a left onto Whittington Ave, passing the ghostly, The Majestic on the right.  We had know idea what was out this way, just driving.  We passed Tiny Town, entered into the National Park, did a turn around, saw where the Alligator Farm is and then we went up W Mountain Summit Dr. into the National Park.

The look out tower on the other mountain.

I am not a hiker, But if you ARE....there are a lot of hiking trails right in downtown.

Then, we went downtown to walk.  I had heard that one of the bath houses, Hale Bath House, that was closed was now selling crafts from local artist. Check them out if your in town or go to their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/HandmadeHolidayShop

I was thirsty, so we crossed the street and wandered into The Ohio Club.  A Tiny bar, It is maybe 20' wide, but a Bar it is and the oldest in Hot Springs.  It is said that it is the only remaining saloon that is still open of the original illegal casinos.  Some famous people have been in this bar, the likes of Mae West, Al Jolson, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Babe Ruth, Bill Clinton, Al Capone, Frank Costello.  Yes, Hot Springs has a wicked history. The bar itself is an awesome piece of work.   It was bought in OH, shipped down the Mississippi to Memphis, put on a train to Malvern, AR, then a special cart was made to haul it to Hot Springs, pulled by horses.  Then, they had to take the front of the building off, to get it in. 

Ohio Club, 336 Central, Hot Springs

Across from the Bath Houses

The mirror is showing its age. but still a beauty.

Look at those horses, Tin Ceiling and Light Fixtures.

The Hubs...

  We ordered a Sausage and Cheese plate.  And, I had a Cold Beer! Of course, I forgot to take a picture before we had eaten a good portion of it.

Yum and a Large Plate.  We ate it all!

Tires!

How do you learn?  Answer.....Usually, when something happens to you.....This post will not be of interest to most.  But, if you pull any type trailer on a regular basis or Don't put much mileage on your car....It may be a worth while read.

We barrel race and pull a 4 horse trailer with Living Quarters.  We had the tires rotated and bearings greased recently.  There was one tire that was worn more than the others and that bothered us a bit.  We carry Two spare tires, because they are 14 ply and they can't just be found anywhere when out on the road.  We were getting ready to go to the Lucky Dog Barrel race in Searcy, AR.  So, we decided to take the one tire off and put one of the spares on.  The spare has never been on anything...  That spare lasted.....almost 2 1/2 hours, when we heard a POP!  We could NOT believe it was the spare.  We put on the other spare.  That spare tire made it to Searcy, (about 30 mins) and then almost another hour on the way home.  POP! Are you kidding me!  Neither time were we in a great place to be changing a tire that was on traffic side.  Guess What?  The tire that we originally pulled off the trailer, got put back on.  Before, we took off again....I prayed!  We didn't have another spare and it was Sunday.

So, this morning I decided to Google, How long do tires last?   The articles that I found explained that a tire might Age Out, before the Treads Wear Out.  So, that spare that has never seen pavement, may not be any good!  Our spares were brand new in my eyes and most every other person that hasn't read up on tires.

The articles tell how to the read all those numbers on a tire.  One of those numbers is a DOT number. The entire DOT number may be on only ONE side of the tire.  Our spare had OJ 21XA4 4308.  The last four digits are the ones of interest.  They tell when your tire was made.  Our tire was made the 43rd week of 2008.  According to some of the articles tires should not age out till 6-10 years with proper maint.  But, then you have to add in all the other factors, the sun, dry rot, heat, elements.... ..So, for some reason, I am feeling a little cheated. What happened to 6 - 10 years? Those tires were not in the sun, not in the heat, (trailer is kept in a garage) the elements were min,  BUT neither lasted a trip.  A man that we know that sells tires, said you should replace your tires every five years regardless....

Now, we need spares and the tires on the trailer were bought May 2010.  We are about to get all new tires and use the three good ones taken off the trailer for spares... Ain't nobody got time for a Flat when on a trip with horses!

Safe Travels and Check the tire year out on your trailer tires and SPARE!