>> Chuck Dovish: IS A TYPE OF COOKING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR EONS.

EVER SINCE I WAS CAST.

CAST IRON COOKING.

WHETHER IT'S IN A DUTCH OPEN OR AN IRON SKILLET, THE TASTE JUST CAN'T BE BEAT.

[MUSIC] DOGWOOD HILLS GUEST FARM GATHER ANNUALLY AND HARRIET FOR THE BIG CAST-IRON COOKOFF.

>> WILL WE COOK WITH A CAST-IRON AT HOME EXCLUSIVELY.

WE HAVE A PROPANE STOVE IN A WOOD STOVE AND IS THE MOST CONVENIENT.

IT WASN'T A CHOICE TO USE IT BUT IT'S WHAT WE NORMALLY USE.

WE TALK AND THEY SAY YOU WILL COMPETE AND WE SAID SURE, WE WILL TRY IT OUT.

WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN A COMPETITION BEFORE AND WE HOPE TO FEED SOME PEOPLE SOME GOOD FOOD.

I WORK WITH A PROGRAM CALLED ROYAL RANGERS AND WE ARE THROUGH THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD AND WE TEACH THEM TO CAMP, SKILLS, BIBLE CLASSES AND THIS IS PART OF THAT.

PEOPLE LIKE MY COOKING.

THIS IS THE BEST WAY OF BOTH WORLDS.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS.

I ENJOY COOKING.

THE SOUTHERN COOKING HAS THE HERITAGE IN THE COUNTRY AND PUERTO RICO WHERE I'M FROM.

WHAT I HAVE HERE IS A STACK OF DUCK DUTCH OVENS AND THE BOTTOM IS A PORK ROAST.

I HAVE A POT OF BEANS AND RICE AND THEN THIS ONE IS A GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE.

I'M MAKING DESSERTS AND SOME HANDMADE TORTILLAS.

I WILL USE A BIG PAN THERE WITH SOME POTATOESAND SAUSAGE.

EVEN THOUGH THE BIG COMPETITION, MY GOAL IS TO FEED EVERYONE , MORE THAN COMPETE.

THAT'S USUALLY HOW I DO IT.

>> Chuck Dovish: YOU CAN'T BE THE TASTE OF THIS KIND OF COOKING, RIGHT?

>> IT'S ONE OF THE BEST TASTY FOOD OUT HERE.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WITH BUYER, CHARCOAL, OUTSIDE.

THE PROCESS IS DIFFERENT.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF COOKING IN A DUTCH OVEN.THE FLAVOR IS AMAZING.

YOU CAN ONLY DO IT OUTSIDE.

I ENJOY IT.

>> I LIKE THE HISTORY.

MY FAVORITE PART WAS GOING TO SCHOOL AND COOKING FOR KIDS THAT STUDIED ABOUT PIONEER LIFE.

WE ENJOY THAT A LOT.

[MUSIC] PART OF THE BEAUTY IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WATCH IT TOO MUCH.

SCRAPE IT OUT AND WIPE IT OUT AND STERILIZE THAT ALL EACH TIME YOU COOK IT.

YOU COMBINE AND ADD THE FLAVORS AND GET THE COMBOS.

[MUSIC] OF COURSE ANY TYPE OF CAST-IRON COOKING IS GOING TO HAVE THE DUCHESS OF DUTCH IRON COOKING, THE COHOST FOR AETN'S COOKING ON THE WILD SIDE PHYLLIS SPEER FOUR CAST IRON 101.

>> THE FIRST TIME I TOOK NINE PIECES IN THE CANOE.

WE WERE BARELY OUT OF THE WATER.

SAM HAD TO HAVE A HERNIA SURGERY AND HE BLAMES ME FOR THAT.

[LAUGHTER] PEOPLE SAID I WAS BORN 200 YEARS TOO LATE.

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUTTAKING IT BACK .

EVEN IF YOU USE CHARCOAL, YOU JUST TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME BECAUSE THE WAY THE PIONEERS DID IT.THERE IS A ROMANCE ABOUT IT.

[LAUGHTER] LOVE IT.

>> I AM MAKING PANCAKES WHICH WE WOULD HAVE ALMOST EVERY DAY WERE USED TO LIVE.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS A CHILDHOOD MEMORY.

>> Chuck Dovish: LEARNING FROM ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER IS THE WAY MANY HAVE DEVELOPED THEIR CAST-IRON COOKING SKILLS.

>> I STARTED THIS WITH MY GRANDMOTHER MY OWN MOM.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GERMAN AND SCOTTISH WELCH.

EVERYONE WAS USED TO COOKING THE OLD WAY.

THAT'S WHY STARTED PICKING UP THE CAST-IRON.

I WAS HELPING MY GRANDMOTHER BECAUSE SHE NEEDED HELP WITH THE HEAVIER ONE.

I LOVE IT.

IT'S EASY, QUICK, CLEAN.IT'S FUN.

IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH IT.

IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

WE HAVE A GOOD TIME.

THE CALM ROBBERY WITH THE CAST-IRON COOKING AND SOME OF THE IDEAS YOU COME UP WITH.

THE CAST-IRON PAN I WILL TELL YOU, IF YOU GET ONE IT'S THE KITCHEN FULL OF POTS AND PANS.

SPEAKING OF WHICH TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE HERE.

>> THE BREAD IS A NUT BREAD AND IT HAS FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF NUTS.ALMONDS, WALNUTS, PECANS AND CASHEWS.

RAISINS, CRANBERRIES, BOURBON, BEER, MOLASSES, SUGAR.

I TOPPED IT OFF WITH A SWEET COFFEE BOURBON ICING.

THE SALMON WILL BE OWNED ENCRUSTED BRAISED IN A BURDEN BETTER BATTER.

I HAVE BEEN ASPARAGUS I'M DOING WITH MOMENTS.

ALL OF THIS WILL GO INTO A BOURBON COFFEE SAUCE BASED ON A PEPPER RELISH.

SWEET PEPPER RELISH.

ALL THE NUTS ARE THERE.

WE ARE GOING NUTS TODAY!

>> TO THAT I SAY WHILE.

I LOVE THAT.

NICE AND GOLDEN BROWN.

FOR YEARS THE SCENIC ROUTE WAS RAZORBACK FANS AS THE PIG TRAIL.

IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE PIG TRAIL WAS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS THE PIG TRAIL SCENIC BY RAY.

RIGHTFULLY SO.

THE PIG TRAIL SCENIC HIGHWAY HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST SCENIC STRETCH OF ROAD IN ARKANSAS.

IT EXTENDS 19 MILES NORTH OF OZARK FROM THE SOUTH BORDER OF THE OZARK NATURAL FOREST TO THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 16.

UNBEKNOWNST TO MANY, THE PIG TRAIL IS A PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

THE ROUTE WAS USED BY THE UNION AND THE CONFEDERACY DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

PART OF WHAT MAKES HIS SCENIC BYWAYS STAND OUT AMONG THE OTHERS IS A MAJOR PANORAMIC OVERLOOK EXPANDING 180 DEGREES.

IT'S A PERFECT SPOT FOR PICTURE TAKING.

WITH SCENIC BYWAY CROSSES THE MULBERRY RIVER AT THE LOCATION AT THE TURNER BAND RIVER OUTFITTERS.

HERE YOU CAN ACCESS THE RIVER FOR A NICE PEACEFUL AND SERENE BREAK ALONG THE ROUTE.

IT'S ACCESS TO THE TRAIL WITH A NICE SIZE PARKING AREA.

WE MAKE THE DRIVE DURING THE SPRING AND YOU FOLLOW A TRAIL BEHIND THE PARKING AREA.IT'S ABOUT HALF A MILE A NEW NICE WATERFALL.

MAKE THE DRIVE ALONG THE SCENIC BYWAY.

BRANDON, AUTUMN MAY BE A LITTLE BIT MORE EXCEPTIONAL.

THE WICHITA NATIONAL FOREST NEAR MINA IS BLACK FOURTH MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS WITH ACCESS TO TWO HIKING TRAILS.

AT THE TRAILHEAD, IF YOU MAKE A RIGHT YOU WILL BE AT THE WATCH ATOLL TRAIL INTO THE LEFT IS THE BLACK FOURTH TRAIL.

IT'S PART OF A OLD TRAIL ROAD THAT ROUNDITS WAY TO THE TOP .

IT WAS AT THE TOP OF BLACK FORK MOUNTAIN.

BLACK FORK MOUNTAIN IS TIED WITH POTEAU MOUNTAIN AT THE TOP .

TO GET HERE FROM MINA GO NORTH ON HIGHWAY 70 144 MILES TO ACORN AND WEST ON HIGHWAY 274 SEVEN AND HALF MILES TO THE PARKING AREA ON THE RIGHT.

THE BLACK FORK MOUNTAIN TRAIL IS SIX MILES WITH AN ESTIMATED HIKING TIME OF THREE MILES.

IF YOU PLAN ON MAKING IT, ALLOW SIX HOURS FOR THE TOTAL 12 MILE ROUND-TRIP.

BLACK FORK MOUNTAIN WAS DESIGNATED AS A NATIONAL WILDERNESS IN 1984.

IT COMMEMORATES THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO WILDERNESS IN ARKANSAS.

AFTER A FEW HUNDRED YARDS ON THE TRAIL YOU WILL COME TO TRAIN TRACKS WHICH WILL HAVE TO CROSS TO PICK UP THE TRAIL AGAIN ON THE OTHER SIDE.

USE CAUTION.

IT IS HERE WHERE YOU WILL BEGIN THE TREK INTO BLACK FORK MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.

THE TRAIL OFFERS SCENIC BEAUTY, SOLITUDE AND INSPIRATION.

THIS TRAIL FEATURES UNUSUAL GEOLOGY AND VEGETATION.

THAT INCLUDES A FOREST OF DROVE DOOR FOLKS.

THE TRAIL TRAVERSES FROM LATE 1800S WHEN PIONEERS SETTLED TO ABOUT 1940.

OF COURSE, TO HELP PROTECT AND PRESERVE UNIQUE WILDERNESS AREAS LIKE THIS, IT'S SMART TO PRACTICE THE NO TRACE AT THE .

PACK IT IN AND PACKET OUT.

IF YOU HAPPEN TO LOVE THE TRAINS, YOU WILL LOVE THIS SIGHT AND SOUND THAT WE EXPERIENCE ON THE HIKE BACK.

STUTTGART IT IS IN THE HEART OF THE ARKANSAS GRAND PRAIRIE.

THEY SETTLED THIS AREA NEAR THE LATE 1800S.

THEY WOULD'VE PRONOUNCED IT DIFFERENT.

YOU CAN ZIP GO TO A PLACE TO SEE HOW THEY LIVED AND MADE THIS REGION WHAT IT IS TODAY.

THE RICE AND DUCT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

[MUSIC] PRESERVING THE HERITAGE OF THE GRAND PRAIRIE IS THE MUSEUM OF THE ARKANSAS GRAND PRAIRIE.

WITHIN THIS AWARD-WINNING MUSEUM, YOU WILL FIND 10,000 AUTHENTIC ARTIFACTS DEPICTING THE HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE PIONEERS WHO FARMED THE GRAND PRAIRIE OF PEAKED EASTERN ARKANSAS BEGINNING IN THE LATE 1800S.

ALL THE ARTIFACTS WERE DONATED BY DESCENDENTS OF THEPIONEERS.

MANY OF WHOM STILL FORM THEIR FOREFATHERS LAND .

THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE DISPLAYS HERE, YOU WILL GET A PRETTY GOODUNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE PRAIRIE FARMERS LIVED , WORKED AND PLAYED.

THERE IS EVEN A SCALED-DOWN AUTHENTIC REPRODUCTION OF STORES AND BUSINESSES OF EARLY STUTTGART.

YOU CAN STROLL THROUGH AND GO BACK IN TIME.

YOU CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF STUTTGART, ARKANSAS.

IT'S A VERY INTERESTING STORY TO TELL.

IT'S A RECENT DEVELOPMENT.

WE WERE FOUNDED UNTIL 1879.

WE CAME HERE FROM IOWA BUT A LOT OF GERMAN SETTLERS.

THEY WENT RIGHT BACK.

THEY TOLD OUR FOUNDER THAT THEY HAD NO INTEREST IN STARTING OVER IN THIS GRASS PRAIRIE.

HE BROUGHT ANOTHER GROUP BACK.

THEY STARTED THIS COMMUNITY BY HARVESTING THIS PRAIRIE HEY.

THE UNITED STATES AMERICA BEFORE RICE WAS OVERGROWN HERE.

OUR FOUNDERS DIED BEFORE RICE WAS EVER PLANTED ON THE PRAIRIE SO WE NEVER SAW IT.

WE STARTED DRIVING UNDER THE HIS PRODUCTION.

IT'S KIND OF A NATURAL THING.

WE LOADED UP THE BOXCARS AND THEY TOOK THEM UP TO STUTTGART IN CHICAGO AND WE PROVIDED THE HAY ALL OVER.

>> NOW, ARKANSAS DOES THE SAME IN RICE PRODUCTION.

THE BUILDING OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM PORTRAY THE LIFESTYLE OF THE URBAN EARLY GERMAN IMMIGRANTS.

IT'S A REPLICA OF WHAT THEY BUILT AND THE PRAIRIE SCHOOLHOUSE.THERE IS ALSO A REPLICATED FARMHOUSE AND AN OLD FIRE STATION.

IF ALL OF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, THE MUSEUM IS ALSO PART AUTO MUSEUM DISPLAYING A FEW OF THE CARS THAT WERE ON THE STREETS BACK IN THE DAY.

WAIT THERE IS STILL MORE.

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE A SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE EARLY MORNING.com ALONG WITH QUITE AN EXTENSIVE DUCK CALL AND DECOY COLLECTION.

EVEN ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN DUCK AT THE G. ALL THE SHOTGUNS THAT WON THE WATERFALL COUNTRY.

MY FAVORITE IS THE ORIGINAL WORKBENCH OF THE FATHER OF THE HANDCRAFTED DUCK CALL, CHICK MAJOR MADE HIS FAMOUS DIXIE VALID CALL.EVERYONE WHO VISITS HERE HAS A FAVORITE.

THEY CAN GET QUITE EXCITED.

AVERY TRACTOR AND EVERY DAY I SEE IT BUT EVERY DAY IT MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY.

I FEEL STRONG.

YOU COULD FEEL THE RESIDUAL POWER WITH THE HOLDING PIN UNDER HERE FOR THE WATER TO PULL HIM GO BACK DOWN.

YOU COULD SEE THE WATER BEING CIRCULATED THROUGH THE SYSTEM THERE.

IT'S THE BONE OF THE MACHINE RIGHT HERE FOR US TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE I THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL MACHINE RUNNING ON GASOLINE AND YOU DON'T GET TIRED OF SEEING THAT.

MY EYES ARE OPEN TO SO MUCH.

I WILL REVISIT THESE EXHIBITS OR SOMETHING WE ARE TRYING TO SHARE IN ANEW WAY .

I APPRECIATE IT IN THE EYES OF THE BUSINESSES.

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE FARM IMPLEMENTING THE FARM MACHINERY.

IT'S THE WAY OF LIFE THE WAY IT WAS BACK ON THE PRAIRIE IN THOSE DAYS.

IT'S THE MERCHANTS.

WE TALK ABOUT THE BUSINESS HISTORY AND WE TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF WATER HERE.

IT'S HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE GROW IN AGRICULTURAL AVIATION AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT EXPANDING AS FAR AS THE AVIATION HISTORY.

I LOOK FORWARDTO THAT .

>> NOW, ALL YOU NEED IS A CROP DUSTER ON THE GROUNDS.

>> WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN ONE DAY.

>>.

[MUSIC] TAKE A TOUR FOR YOURSELF HERE AT THE MUSEUM OF THE ARKANSAS GRAND PRAIRIE AND STUTTGART.

TO VIEW THIS EPISODE AGAIN OR ANYONE OF OUR OTHERS, VISIT THE WEBSITE AT AETN.org /EXPLORING ARKANSAS.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME FOR ANOTHER EXCITING ADVENTURE ON EXPLORING ARKANSAS.