We left around 11, this time using the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero instead of the 2002 Saturn from last year, because it's roomier, the radio works better (the antenna had become unplugged in the Saturn, a simple fix that I've nonetheless never bothered with), it rides smoother, & most of all because its V6 allows it to climb the hills far better vs the Saturn.

As with last year, we ate at Texas BBQ (33.12315, -94.1795) only this time I was armed with the vinegar-based Well's BBQ Sauce to give it that NC flavor. From there we zipped onto Jaspser ARK the same way as before, taking I-30 out of Texarkana & then looping up to Russellville from Little Rock before going on down ARK 7. My wife drove the entire way except for the ARK 7 stretch where I drove, as I zip through curvy roads quickly whereas they make her nervous & she drives too slow for my liking. We did a quick stop at Bradley Park (36.00387, -93.19468) which is a nice splash hole right in town, before settling in to the cabin. I had bought my "roaster" with me to use as a slow cooker, & we got food at Bob's (now something else, forget the new name) to allow me to make some Jalapeno Chicken Chili (which I made later that night & allowed to simmer all night on low).