I really love how they made sure the pavement is the big focal point....
Actually, haven't been to this part of Arkansas (where we live right now) but it is a beautiful state. Like West Virginia, it seems under-appreciated for its scenery. There are more than 50 state parks, plus Corps of Engineers sites, national parks, and city/county parks. But most of the pavement is not this good.
From the park brochure: Situated along Talimena Scenic Drive in western Arkansas, Queen Wilhelmina State Park stands out as one of the state’s most scenic areas. The park is perched high atop rugged Rich Mountain nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. The first lodge, built in 1897 by the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railroad, was designed as an unusual resort retreat for passengers on the line. The 3-story lodge became known as the "Castle in the Sky." Since the railroad was largely financed by Dutch interests, the new resort was named in honor of Holland’s young Queen Wilhelmina. A royal suite was set aside for her use in vain hopes she would decide to pay an official visit to the area. Only three years later, the lodge was closed and eventually fell into ruin.
I will accept a boring post card, but it has to be from Portland, Oregon - Alaska would have been o.k. as you had been their on vacation, but that window of opportunity has closed as you are no longer on vacation. (& as a courtesy I would only send you a boring post card from my locale/vacation spots. Or one from Boring, Maryland - I still have to get there & see if they even have any post cards - it is that boring.)
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I really love how they made sure the pavement is the big focal point....
ReplyDeleteActually, haven't been to this part of Arkansas (where we live right now) but it is a beautiful state. Like West Virginia, it seems under-appreciated for its scenery. There are more than 50 state parks, plus Corps of Engineers sites, national parks, and city/county parks. But most of the pavement is not this good.
I was mostly just surprised that Arkansas had ever had a Queen Wilhelmina.
ReplyDeleteFrom the park brochure:
ReplyDeleteSituated along Talimena Scenic Drive in western Arkansas, Queen
Wilhelmina State Park stands out as one of the state’s most scenic areas. The park is perched high atop
rugged Rich Mountain nearly 3,000 feet above sea level.
The first lodge, built in 1897 by the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railroad, was designed as an unusual
resort retreat for passengers on the line. The 3-story lodge became known as the "Castle in the Sky." Since the railroad was largely financed by Dutch interests, the new resort was named in honor of Holland’s young Queen Wilhelmina. A royal suite was set aside for her
use in vain hopes she would decide to pay an official visit to the area. Only three years later, the lodge was closed and eventually fell into ruin.
I will accept a boring post card, but it has to be from Portland, Oregon - Alaska would have been o.k. as you had been their on vacation, but that window of opportunity has closed as you are no longer on vacation. (& as a courtesy I would only send you a boring post card from my locale/vacation spots. Or one from Boring, Maryland - I still have to get there & see if they even have any post cards - it is that boring.)
ReplyDelete@Elaine--It's hard to tell, but it kind of looks like the highway might not even BE paved...
ReplyDeleteOh, Ben, honey, it's Macadam. You can look it up.
ReplyDeleteRemember, there was life before concrete. And asphalt.
I'm thinking compacted gravel...
ReplyDeleteI assume you have a postcard in your collection from Boring, Oregon, right?
ReplyDelete