The Military Road Trail Loop at Village Creek State Park in Arkansas is a continuation of the Lake Austell Trail but can also be reached by way of a separate trailhead at the boat dock pictured above.
I took the upper loop, and The Younger Son took the lower loop.
There were interpretive signs at the beginning of the upper section.
This is part of the Trail of Tears. A tragedy in our nation's history, the Trail of Tears resulted from Andrew Jackson's policies. I'm ashamed that Jackson was a Tennessean, and I'm horrified that our current president has chosen to lift him up with honor.
This trail follows some of the actual route.
Remember the "popular" swinging bridge that was supposed to be on the other trail but which we could never find? Well, at the juncture of upper and lower loop The Younger Son and I met up and saw this sign:
So, instead of me continuing back along the lower loop and The Younger Son going back along the route I had just come along, we joined forces in search of the fabled bridge.
And there it was:
I have to tell you I have never been as disappointed in a trail feature -ever- as I was in this "popular swinging bridge". Bummer.
The trail itself was a good experience. I think I'd quit hyping that bridge if I were them.
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I agree with you. That swinging bridge is certainly nothing to becomes the stuff of local legend for sure. And the Trail of Tears is a very sad part of our history. Of course I don't think our present president is a very overall intelligent guy (even though he tells us he is), but it is sad his views are so small. The park however is very pretty, maybe even more so in winter. I like the emptiness of it in your photos. Did you meet anyone along the way? Happy Sunday-hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful. I saw one person getting out of a truck to fish off the dock on the Lake Dunn trail. I didn't see another person. I did see some fairly recent tracks in mud, so somebody else had been on the trail recently. It was very peaceful :)
DeleteI agree with you about how Andrew Jackson treated the Native Americans. We just couldn't leave well enough alone. Now that native Americans have been corralled, Japanese Americans have been scarred for life after WWII concentration camps, and African Americans have been told they are free, we have a new group to "imprison." We must now love/respect the Neo-Nazis and hate the LGBT community. Sorry, I'm off my soapbox, now.
ReplyDeleteThat bridge was definitely a letdown, but at least you found it. I loved all the photos and the beauty of it all.
Stay on that soapbox! I'll cheer you on :) I am glad we found it, coz we would always have wondered what we'd missed lol
DeleteLOL! Yes, the swinging bridge was nothing to write home about. Kind of funny.
ReplyDeleteI'm also ashamed of Trump's admiration for Jackson because he owned slaves and persecuted the Native Americans and it's obvious how racist Trump is. Well, he's spurring on protests of all kinds. Can only hope he will cause a positive whiplash and things will swing back. :)
It was funny. We are still laughing about having kept an eye out for this gem when there was so much on these trails more worthy of our search. But everything else was easier to find ;)
DeleteWhat a beautiful place to walk! You are right, that swing bridge is nothing to write home about ...lol 😉. The mists over the water look magical too! Hope you had a lovely weekend! J 😊
ReplyDeleteWe were surprised that the bridge was what the decided to highlight lol The rainy weather did add a mysterious feel to some of the hikes :)
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