[r80rt]

I rode a 159 mile round trip of gravel road goodness, just to find this bluff and visit a cave. A great way to waste a Saturday.

 

[tinman tim]

surely I'm not the only one to contest the term 'waste' here?

 

[B-dub]

Wow! 159 miles of gravel roads will never be considered a waste in my book, especially with views like that. Beautiful! I like your area of the country and your interest in history and will take all of those pictures I can get! By the way, what river is that? While the trees are still bare, it looks like it's greening up nicely! Thanks for sharing your ride with us.

 

[r80rt]

That's the White river near Cushman, the last steamboat went up it in 1908 according to a concrete marker I saw.

 

[r80rt]

I stopped by the Blowing cave on the way home. It was featured in several pulp science magazines in the 40's, 50's and 60's as the entrance to "TEROS" the under world, and home of "The Shaver Mystery". Complete with giant blue beings, ray guns, and flying saucers. Sadly I didn't have a flash light so I didn't see any of that, but I'm sure they had their heat rays trained on me the whole time.



http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2010/oct/17/sci-fi-tales-keep-em-coming-back-blowing-cave/



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Sharpe_Shaver

 

[admiral]

Ah, you have so much goodness to share. Is the cave still on private property? Looks very interesting and has quite a past. I would never have thought about holding a party or dance in a cave. One has to just love the overlooks views from the bluffs. This one is no different. I'll agree with the others, no wasted mileage or time spent by you on this ride. Thanks for sharing.

 

[r80rt]

Admiral, I don't know if the cave is on private property or not, It seems to be treated as public. The road to get there is a little rough, it's usually visited by 4x4's and ATV's and the occasional TW

 

[joeband]

what a waste... it sounds like we were separated by only 2000 miles and a whole day wasted on the TW!

beautiful country, i feel so sorry for you.



ride on!

 

[Rhodetrip]

I've only been to Arkansas once...but I'd sure like to go back!

 

[evan]

cool cave. you go very far into it?

 

[r80rt]

It goes back over a mile, lots of tunnels and rooms, a river and a lake too. I need to go back with a good light, my little maglite was a joke in there. That thing is huge, the opening is about 50 feet high. Here is a vid my buddy shot a few weeks ago, it's a little blurry but at 1:20 you can see me walking around and get an idea of how big it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14W2jWw6REI

 

[evan]

Wow! I would be back there with some friends and good flashlights.

 

[plumbstraight]

That is great. I am surprised someone or the national parks system hasn't set up a paystation there. With a mile of system and possibly more that hasn't been uncovered sure would be a fun place to explore. I have been in others that have bones still there from burials lying on ledges in indian decor. My gparents passed through and had a farmstead in Arkansas. Guess the place burned since I was there in 88. Beautiful place with the rimrock and streams. Even my ggrandfathers corn crib for moonshining, couse gma would never admit that lol. Remember the kids going for some wading in a steam. I saw ticks getting on the clothes where they threw them, lucky for that, checked them out. One did get a chigger later. Don't think they want to go back.



Is there a best time of year besides winter to go without seedticks, chiggers and such except winter?

 

[old mad max]

Hey, did I see dub tracks going along that wall.(o;. I'm surprised it's open to the public.. Either they charge for that or they lock it off..... That's cool they keep it open for exploring.. OMM.

 

[r80rt]

That is great. I am surprised someone or the national parks system hasn't set up a paystation there. With a mile of system and possibly more that hasn't been uncovered sure would be a fun place to explore. I have been in others that have bones still there from burials lying on ledges in indian decor. My gparents passed through and had a farmstead in Arkansas. Guess the place burned since I was there in 88. Beautiful place with the rimrock and streams. Even my ggrandfathers corn crib for moonshining, couse gma would never admit that lol. Remember the kids going for some wading in a steam. I saw ticks getting on the clothes where they threw them, lucky for that, checked them out. One did get a chigger later. Don't think they want to go back.



Is there a best time of year besides winter to go without seedticks, chiggers and such except winter?

Sorry, unless it's the dead of winter, ticks and chiggers are just part of the charm.