Lake Maumelle
It's the brink of October and fall is in the air. With the hint of Halloween lingering close by, the changing of the colors in the trees, the shorter days of autumn, it is easy to remember Washington Irving's story: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Arkansas is 1260 miles from Tarrytown, New York, which is where Irving and his family moved in 1798 to escape an epidemic of yellow fever. Autumn there is no doubt cooler than here. But even here we enjoy hearing a good ghost story every now and then. Irving tapped into portion of the brain we all secretly wonder about.
People are intrigued by this story, even down to today. Published in 1819 it still captures the imagination of so many of us on those closed in dark days of fall. This interest is evident in many places around the country, and yes, even here in Arkansas.
Sleepy Hollow Access is a park approximately 30 miles west of Little Rock. As seen on a beautiful day it is a peaceful place giving access to Lake Maumelle. The lake is very popular with the local fishermen. My husband and I once camped there overnight, oh so many years ago. We had fun, but when you awake on a cool morning and the fog has rolled in off the water and the visibility is almost nil with civilization not so close by, you can almost imagine what Irving's character, Ichabod Crane, experienced on that fateful night when he rode out to meet the Headless Horseman.
I don't know who suggested the name for this park, but I like it. And I enjoy stopping by every now and then for a quiet peaceful reverie. If you're ever in the area, look it up. See if you are captured by the beautiful trees and quiet river.
I will have to take a look the next time I head your way. Looks like a nice spot to refresh and rejuvenate.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful spot indeed. But I forgot to check out the restroom facilities. I'll have to do that sometime. They used to have a port-a-potty situation, but not sure about now.
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