There are some pretty big fish in that river too for all you fishermen out there! Oh! And don't forget about hunting. There are plenty of places for that also.

Fourth of July on the river is an annual celebration tradition for me and my sons. It's really the best place to watch the fireworks and it's free to go. We take a cooler sometimes with extra food and drinks for the all afternoon-evening event. When we get there early enough we head straight for the cherry limeade stand. They make it from scratch and it's very refreshing on a hot day.

Just up Heber Springs Road you can park your R.V. check out the country store then meander on down the highway to the car races that take place on the weekends.

Batesville is the second oldest city in the natural state of Arkansas. It was founded in 1812 and is the home of the Pioneers. We have two movie theaters,the firstWal-Mart superstore in the state, several hotels, fast food, Mexican, Chinese, and other restaurants like Western Sizzlin. If you are in north Arkansas and want to go to Little Rock, most generally you have to pass through Batesville. This is also true if you are south of us and want to go north, like to Branson, Missouri. We are in the middle of everything if you travel by interstate and major highways. There are also many scenic roads you can take if you have the time.

One thing this state has is a lot of beautiful scenery. I am at the point to where I'm trying to remember my camera whenever I go anywhere. It's just too beautiful to not take home.

Searcy is about an hour south and Little Rock is about another 30 minutes south. Little Rock was home to Bill Clinton when he was governor. Hope, Arkansas was his childhood home.When I keep traveling for about another 30 minutes or so then I'm in Hot Springs. All of these are great places to shop and have many sites to see.

Traveling north can take you to Hardy to shop antiques and Mountain Home to canoe down the Buffalo River. Closer by is Mountain View with dancing and music playing almost on every corner different parts of the year. Inviting you in are interesting little shops that are hard to resist. Check out the shops around the quaint courtyard that is a usual site for most Arkansas small towns. While you're still in town visit the Ozark Folk Center. People who work there dress and live as in the 'old days' making lye soap, brooms, cornhusk dolls, ice cream, and dulcimers; along with many more crafts plus! I'll post another shortly on the November calendar for Mt. View happenings.

Blanchard Springs and Caverns are a great place to check outwhen you leave Mountain View. The caves are what they call "living" and well worth the time to visit. If you go in the summer you can picnic and go swimming in the national park also. They have great hiking trails and camp grounds. I really enjoy our visits there.

There is so much more to this great state than I could write here. All I can say is you are officially invited to come, explore, and enjoy. Come to Batesville and I'll show you around sometime. I can get you a city map too. As some say around here "Ya'll come, ya hear!".

Be on the lookout for photos of Batesville in the coming days.

Does this sound like your family trip? If so, here are a few solutions to turn your bored and fighting children into entertained and peaceful little blessings.

Proper Planning

During the initial planning, be sure to consider the length of time you will be on the road and allot for frequent stops. Anyone locked up in a closed space is bound to become grouchy, so route your trip (if possible) to pass scenic resting areas or public rest stops.

Activities

There are many activities to do while taking a long road trip. If room permits, allow each family member to bring one backpack of their favorite toys, books, or video games. This will ensure that they will have a sufficient way of occupying a majority of their time.

If space is a problem, consider traveling games such as, the “License Plate” game, where each person spells out their entire name. On the other hand, perhaps, counting a particular color of vehicle (this is especially entertaining for younger children) and rewarding the winning child with a treat at the end of the trip.

Food

Another way to make traveling fun is by scheduling a special place to stop for lunch along the way. Ideas to consider are favorite restaurants, picnics at a national park, touristy orchards or historical landmarks. This will add new excitement to what would usually be a dull trip.

Mobile Electronics

Today's electronic age offers many solutions for traveling. DVD players offer a peaceful and fun solution for all ages of passengers in the rear seats. Hand-held video games allow for individual entertainment. With the wireless modem dominating the world of communication, bring along the mobile laptop to stay connected to the online world.

Finally, you look at the speedometer and see that the last few miles remain of your road trip; you look in the rear-view mirror and joyously find smiles and laughter in the eyes of your loving children. With a sigh, you continue driving, knowing that the vacation began only 300 miles ago.