KS MO AR OK; Day 3

Another day in retiree heaven!

We had light rain in Van Buren this morning but it was over when we left our motel at 9:15.  We were ready at 8:30, an accomplishment for us, but we waited for the rain to stop.

We rode across the river to Fort Smith and on to the Fort Smith National Historic Site.DSCN4996a http://www.nps.gov/fosm/index.htm

The original Fort Smith was established in 1817.  There was a second Fort built later.  The commissary storehouse, which still stands on the site, is the oldest building still standing, constructed in 1838.  The barracks, courthouse, and jail (pictured above) was built in 1846, burned in 1849, and rebuilt.  Fort Smith is famous for Judge Isaac C. Parker, who presided over the federal court here from 1875 to 1896.  He was known as the “hanging judge” but, according to information at this site, he was opposed to the death penalty.  He was just following the law at the time which required the death penalty for murder and rape convictions. http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=1732

Fort Smith was also known for the U.S. Marshals who worked out of here.  They worked long hours for meager pay and no benefits, spent weeks in the field, and many were killed in the line of duty.  I was disappointed to find that Rooster Cogburn was NOT a U.S. Marshal.

We realized when we arrived at the National Historic Site that we left our maps in our motel room . . . . . so were on the prowl for maps of Arkansas and Oklahoma.  Just east of the Fort Smith National Historic site was a Fort Smith city park and Miss Laura’s visitor center.restored brothel in Fort Smith near the National Historic SiteWe walked to this visitor center and found that it was a brothel back in the early 1900’s. Laura Zeigler bought the house in 1903 with borrowed money. She paid off the loan in 17 months. Business must have been good.  It has been restored and they now provide tours.  We took the tour and picked up the needed maps.painting in the brothel

We rode westbound into Oklahoma.  At noon we had logged 30 miles!!!!  We rode to Stigler, OK and had a larrapin good lunch at the Eaton Hole.DSCN5011aChris had a patty melt and I had a hamburger steak.  The patties of meat were thick and tasty.

Our next destination was Robbers Cave State Park (http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.6415?=KNC-Nat_Google12_RobbersCaveStatePark).  It reminded us of Elephant Rocks State Park in Missouri.  We walked and climbed the short distance to the cave and a little above.DSCN5043aThe exertion, the heat (86), and the humidity made me sweat like a porker.

We returned to the parking lot and then rested at a shelter to check maps for the route back to Van Buren.  While sitting there I saw what appeared to be a thick electric cable protruding from behind some wood siding on the shelter.  Looking closer I saw that it was moving . . . . . HOLY CRAP!  It was a frigging snake slithering out from under the siding.  It was out for awhile and then went back under.visitor at the shelter at Robber's Cave State Park

We rode back to our Comfort Inn motel in Van Buren via Wilburton and Poteau, OK. The temperature reached 90 degrees.  We rode 195 miles.

It was a very enjoyable day despite the heat and humidity.  Tomorrow we head home.

For more pictures from today click on the following link: https://picasaweb.google.com/goldwinger.shawnee/KSMOAROKDay3?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOuxuMrq-ouoWw&feat=directlink

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