Day 178 – It was windy all night, shaking the RV, but this morning when we got up, it’d calmed down somewhat. 35 degrees & sunny. We hate having to leave Merrisach. This was a great campground last year & it is still one of our favorites. We’d like to come back for a stay longer than two nights next time.
129 miles
Merrisach Lake Park, Army Corps of Engineers Campground, for camping information write U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Post Field Office, 35 Wild Goose Lane, Tichnor, AR 72166 (this address is across the street from the campground), or call (870) 548-2291 – Office or (870) 548-2712 – Gatehouse, and for reservations call (877) 444-6777, www.recreation.gov. This was our second time camping at Merrisach Lake. Both times we did not have reservations and both times we were able to get excellent campsites, but we were traveling off-season. They are open all year. There are five campsite loops: the A Loop has 14 sites, all on the water; the B Loop has 14 sites, plus a group shelter, a playground, and a picnic area, none are on the water; the C Loop has 5 sites not on the water; the D Loop has 16 sites, all on the water, & the E Loop has 18 wooded sites, plus a group shelter, none are on the water. Both times we camped in D Loop; we would return to this Loop. This time we had a fantastic campsite, #D-08, water on three sides with gorgeous views, private, covered picnic table, fire pit – both on a gravel area that felt like our own back yard. Very long paved driveway, big enough for the largest RV & a tow car, water & electric hook-ups (there is a dump station at the Park), trees for shade. Just perfect. $19 for two nights with the America-the-Beautiful senior discount. We will absolutely come back again! (Note to Mark & Donna: you should come here; big enough for your RV – recommend site #D-08.)
We departed after dumping tanks and filling with fresh water – 9:45 a.m., 42 degrees, sunny and a bit windy. The beginning of the drive followed the route we took yesterday to the NWR, but once in new territory it still remained the same: more flooded land, some flowering trees announcing spring was coming, farmlands (rice, cotton, corn), and small towns. We both like Arkansas, at least the areas we’ve been in last year and this year. The people are quite friendly, things are clean and well-kept up, and its peaceful & pretty.
The route we took was Tichnor Blacktop Road to the 44 at Tichnor, the 165 to the 1 at DeWitt, the 49 to I-40E at Morrell, and the 284 then the 754 to Village Creek State Park, 6 miles southeast of Wynne. The flat farm lands changed to more rolling, forested hills the further north we went. The high temperature never got above 44 degrees and it remained a little windy. Clouds had increased, covering the sun when we got to the Visitor’s Center at the State Park, 12:20 p.m.
This is a very large Park and really nice. One of the nicest State Parks we’ve ever visited. Only one other camper here & they’re parked in a different loop. We drove around to pick a campsite. We chose site #7 in the water & electric hook-up loop – large campsite on a creek, private, clean, trees. $36 and change for two nights with the senior discount. They also have a loop with full hook-ups that we drove thru, but we didn’t need sewer this time – these campsites were great – large and on a hill overlooking the lake. (Note to Mark & Donna, you should come here, really nice State Park.)
We unpacked, had lunch, and immediately headed out to Wynne to do laundry. Phew. Finally got that done. Now we’re relaxing with the girls after dinner. We all like it here. GOOD LUCK
TO EVERYONE AT HOME WITH THIS STORM!!!