{\an7}>> ARKANSAS POPULATION {\an7}2,178 {\an8}SALUTE.

EVERY THIRD WEEKEND {\an7}IN APRIL {\an7}THIS TOWN {\an7}EXPLODES WITH THE ANNUAL {\an7}ARKANSAS {\an8}FOLK FESTIVAL.

AND IF YOU {\an7}HAPPEN TO {\an7}HAVE A {\an7}MOUNTAIN DULCIMER, BY ALL {\an7}MEANS BRING {\an7}IT ALONG.

{\an7}>> [SINGING].

{\an8}>> SINCE THE EARLY 60'S, {\an7}THE {\an8}ARKANSAS FOLK FESTIVAL HAS {\an7}BEEN ONE {\an7}OF THE TOP {\an8}MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE STATE.

{\an7}>> [SINGING AND MUSIC].

{\an7}>> WELL, IT'S GREAT.

{\an7}IT'S GREAT.

{\an8}MOUNTAIN VIEW IS A FANTASTIC {\an7}PLACE TO {\an7}LIVE.

{\an8}>> I'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT {\an7}21 YEARS, {\an8}AND I DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE {\an7}LEAVING {\an8}ANYWHERE SOON.

I FELL OFF A {\an7}TURNIP {\an8}TRUCK COMING HERE AND I'VE {\an7}BEEN HERE {\an7}EVER {\an7}SINCE.

{\an7}>> [SINGING].

{\an7}>> MOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW {\an7}ISN'T CALLED {\an7}THE FOLK MUSIC CAPITAL OF {\an7}THE WORLD {\an7}FOR {\an8}NOTHING.

HERE THERE'S FOLK {\an7}MUSIC {\an7}EVERYWHERE -- AROUND THE {\an7}COURT SQUARE {\an7}-- {\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an7}>> ON FRONT PORCHES -- {\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an7}>> IN THE STREETS -- {\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an7}>> AND ALL OVER THE {\an7}TOWN'S PARK.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> FOLK MUSICIAN NELLIE {\an7}BRANSCUM {\an8}REMINISCED ABOUT PERFORMING {\an7}WITH FOLK {\an7}LEGEND {\an7}JIMMY DREW... .

{\an8}>> WENT ALL OVER THE -- {\an7}NOT ONLY {\an8}THE COUNTRY, BUT HE WENT TO {\an7}JAPAN AND {\an7}GERMANY.

HE ADVERTISED {\an7}MOUNTAIN VIEW {\an8}AND THE FOLK FESTIVAL.

HE {\an7}HAS A KIND {\an7}WORD EVERYWHERE HE WENT.

{\an7}WHEN I {\an8}FIRST CAME HERE IN 1981, IT {\an7}WAS A {\an7}ONE-HORSE {\an7}TOWN.

WHEN IT CLOSED AT {\an7}5:00, IT WAS {\an7}DEAD AND BURIED.

I NEVER {\an7}BEEN IN {\an7}SUCH {\an8}AN AWFUL PLACE.... THAT WAS {\an7}THE ONLY {\an7}YEAR IT WAS THAT DEAD.

{\an7}JIMMY'S WORK, {\an8}HIS ADVERTISING PAID OFF.

{\an7}AND FROM {\an7}THEN ON IT'S JUST PEOPLE, {\an7}PEOPLE, {\an7}PEOPLE {\an7}EVER SINCE.

AND I LOVE {\an7}THEM.

{\an7}THEY'RE GOOD FOLKS.

SO I {\an7}ALWAYS PRAY {\an7}THAT {\an8}THEY WILL LEAVE HERE HAVING {\an7}BEEN {\an7}BLESSED, AND THEY ARE A {\an7}BLESSING.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> BACK IN THE FESTIVAL {\an7}STARTED {\an8}JUST BEFORE YOU COME WHEN I {\an7}WAS A KID {\an7}AND YOU {\an7}KNOW I'M GLAD TO SEE THE {\an7}MUSIC STILL {\an8}GOING STRONG LIKE IT WAS.

{\an7}THAT GAVE {\an7}US {\an8}A FLAYS TO COME TO .... NOW {\an7}IT'S {\an7}KICKING BACK UP.

WORKED {\an7}HARD TO GET {\an7}IT {\an7}GOING AGAIN.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an7}>> .

{\an8}>> I ENJOYED EVERY TIME I {\an7}CAME OUT {\an8}HERE -- WOULD COME AND VISIT {\an7}MY MOM, {\an7}MY {\an7}STEP DAD.

I JUST ENJOY {\an7}MUSIC ANYWAY.

{\an8}I PLAY A LITTLE BIT.

AND {\an7}BLUEGRASS, {\an8}COUNTRY, I'M INTO THAT A LOT {\an7}MORE.

{\an7}AND THIS [INDECIPHERABLE] {\an7}MUSIC THAT {\an8}WE'RE HEARING, IT'S THE ROOT {\an7}OF {\an8}EVERYTHING.

YOU KNOW, IT'S {\an7}THE ROOT {\an7}OF, YOU {\an8}KNOW, BLUES AND COUNTRY AND {\an7}BLUEGRASS {\an7}ARE THE ROOTS OF ROCK AND {\an7}ROLL.

IF {\an7}IT {\an7}WAS NOT FOR THIS, THERE {\an7}WOULD BE NO {\an8}ROCK AND ROLL.

AND THAT'S {\an7}WHAT I {\an7}LOVE {\an8}ABOUT IT.

IT'S GOT HEART.

{\an7}IT'S GOT {\an8}FEELING.

AND IT'S GOT SOUL {\an7}-- {\an7}EVERYTHING YOU WANT.

I {\an7}ENJOY THIS {\an7}MUSIC.

I ENJOY THIS {\an7}FESTIVAL.

I {\an7}MEAN, {\an7}JUST -- EVERYBODY'S REAL {\an7}AROUND HERE.

{\an8}THAT'S WHAT I ENJOY ABOUT {\an7}IT.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> WELL, MY HUSBAND AND I {\an7}ARE FROM {\an8}[INDECIPHERABLE] LOUISIANA.

{\an7}BUT WE {\an7}MOVED {\an7}TO ARKANSAS NOT TOO LONG {\an7}AGO.

AND WE {\an8}NOW LIVE IN BEBE ARKANSAS.

{\an7}WE'VE {\an7}BEEN {\an8}COMING HERE MAYBE ABOUT TWO {\an7}YEARS TO {\an8}FOLK FESTIVAL.

I THINK THIS {\an7}IS OUR {\an7}SECOND YEAR.

AND IT'S {\an7}GREAT.

I {\an7}MEAN, IT GIVES EVERYONE A {\an7}OPPORTUNITY {\an7}TO {\an8}EXPERIENCE SEVERAL DIFFERENT {\an8}LOCATIONS AT THE SQUARE AND {\an7}BEYOND OF {\an7}REALLY {\an7}GREAT MUSIC.

AND IT CAN {\an7}TURN YOU {\an8}ONTO SOME REALLY GREAT MUSIC {\an7}TOO.

{\an8}>> FOLK MUSIC CAPITAL OF {\an7}THE WORLD.

{\an8}>> ABSOLUTELY.

YES.

YES.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> IT'S BEEN A JOY AND A {\an7}PLEASURE {\an7}TO BE THE MAYOR HERE AND {\an7}ACTUALLY {\an7}JUST {\an8}BEING A KID AND RUNNING WILD {\an7}HERE AS {\an8}A KID IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

{\an7}WOULD {\an7}COME {\an8}AND LAY OUT ON PALET S ... {\an7}IT'S BEEN {\an8}ENJOYABLE, YOU KNOW.

IT'S A {\an7}GOOD {\an7}PLACE {\an8}FOR KIDS TO COME AND ENJOY {\an7}THEIR SELF {\an7}AND TURN THEM LOOSE .

{\an7}THAT'S WHAT {\an7}THEY {\an8}SAY.

JUST TURN THEM LOOSE.

{\an7}WE HAVE {\an8}OF COURSE THE MUSIC GROUP.

{\an7}THEY'RE {\an8}REALLY INVOLVED IN OUR GROUP {\an7}-- ON {\an8}OUR SQUARES RIGHT NOW.

WE {\an7}JUST HAD {\an7}SOME {\an8}YOUNG KIDS -- BEEN OUT DOING {\an7}SOME {\an7}TRIPS HERE AND THERE AND {\an7}HELPING {\an7}PROMOTE {\an7}THEIR LITTLE TOWN HERE IN {\an7}[INDECIPHERABLE] PLAINS.

{\an7}AND OF {\an7}COURSE WE GOT {\an7}POSSUM -- I DON'T KNOW {\an7}WHERE THEY {\an8}COME UP WITH THEIR NAMES.

{\an7}THEY SURE {\an7}COME {\an8}UP WITH GOOD MUSIC AND... {\an7}THEY'RE {\an8}BETTER THAN I WAS.

I REALLY {\an7}APPRECIATE {\an8}THOSE FOLKS AND APPRECIATE {\an7}YOU ALL {\an8}COMING UP.

MAYBE WE CAN GET {\an7}TOGETHER {\an7}AND {\an7}PLAY A LITTLE BIT.

I {\an7}UNDERSTAND YOU {\an7}PLAY.

{\an8}>> A LITTLE BIT -- YEAH.

{\an7}[CHUCKLING].

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> I THINK MAYBE I NEED A {\an7}FEW MORE {\an8}LESSONS.

MUSIC IS A WAY OF {\an7}LIFE IN {\an8}MOUNTAIN VIEW.

IT'S PASSED {\an7}DOWN FROM {\an7}GENERATION TO GENERATION.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an7}>> .

{\an7}>> EVERY OTHER KID IN {\an7}TOWN CAN {\an8}EITHER PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, {\an7}SING, {\an7}DANCE, OR DO {\an7}ALL THREE.

SUCH AS {\an7}11-YEAR-OLD MARY {\an7}PARKER ALONG WITH HER {\an7}BROTHER GORDON.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an7}>> [APPLAUSE].

{\an8}>> HI.

I WATCHED RFD AND {\an7}I SEEN {\an8}THE FIDDLE AND I WAS LIKE, {\an7}"I WANT TO {\an7}LEARN {\an7}THAT INSTRUMENT."

SO WE {\an7}CAME UP HERE {\an7}TO MOUNTAIN VIEW.

AND I {\an7}FOUND THE {\an8}FIDDLE THAT I LIKED AND IT {\an7}WAS MY {\an7}FAVORITE.

SO I PICKED IT {\an7}OUT.

THEN {\an7}I HAD {\an8}MY FIRST LESSON HERE AT THE {\an7}MUSIC {\an7}STORE.

AND THEN THAT WAS {\an7}WHEN I WAS {\an7}5.

{\an7}5.5, SO.

THAT'S HOW I {\an7}STARTED.

{\an7}>> SO YOU CAN PLAY THE {\an7}FIDDLE.

{\an7}YOU CAN SING.

YOU CAN {\an7}DANCES.

{\an7}>> YES.

{\an7}>> MY GOODNESS.

AND {\an7}YOU'RE ONLY {\an7}HOW OLD?

{\an7}>> 11.

{\an8}>> THAT'S AMAZING.

WELL, {\an7}YOU HAVE {\an8}-- I GUESS YOU WANT TO MAKE {\an7}A CAREER {\an7}OUT {\an7}OF THIS, RIGHT?

{\an7}>> YES.

{\an8}>> WELL, WE THANK YOU SO {\an7}MUCH.

{\an8}AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF {\an7}LUCK.

{\an8}>> OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY {\an7}MUCH.

{\an8}>> WE REALLY APPRECIATE {\an7}ALL OF OUR {\an8}MUSICIANS WHEREVER THEY COME {\an7}FROM.

{\an7}YOU {\an7}KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO {\an7}COME TO {\an8}MOUNTAIN VIEW AND SEE SOME {\an7}PEOPLE AND {\an7}HEAR {\an8}THEIR STORIES.... OF COURSE {\an7}THEY {\an8}BRING A LITTLE PART OF THEM {\an7}HERE WHEN {\an7}THEY {\an7}COME TO MOUNTAIN VIEW.

{\an7}THAT'S WHAT'S {\an8}UNIQUE ABOUT MOUNTAIN VIEW.

{\an7}YOU'RE {\an7}ALL {\an7}ON THE SAME PLANE... .

{\an7}>> IT'S KIND OF WHAT {\an7}AMERICA IS {\an7}ALL ABOUT.

{\an7}>> IT SURE IS.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an7}>> [CHEER AND IS {\an7}APPLAUSE] .

{\an7}>> AND THAT'S THE WAY {\an7}IT'S DONE IN {\an7}MOUNTAIN VIEW.

{\an8}>> IT'S BEEN DESCRIBED BY {\an7}SOUTHERN {\an7}LIVING MAGAZINE AS A {\an7}SECLUDED {\an7}ENCHANTED {\an7}PARADISE.

LONGBOW IN {\an7}FRANCE.

AND I {\an8}GUARANTEE YOU THAT A VISIT {\an7}HERE WILL {\an8}STAY WITH YOU FOR THE REST {\an7}OF YOUR {\an7}LIFE.

{\an7}>> LONGBOW ASK A PLACE {\an7}WHERE YOU {\an8}CAN GO OFF THE GRID AS THEY {\an7}SAY -- {\an7}LIVE {\an8}LIKE OSACKER BLUFF DWELLERS {\an7}DID AND {\an8}STILL ENJOY ALL THE MODERN {\an7}AMENITIES.

{\an7}BUT FIRST WE NEED TO FILL {\an7}YOU IN ON {\an8}HOW LONGBOW BECAME LONGBOW.

{\an7}IT ALL {\an7}HAS {\an7}TO DO WITH PRESERVING A {\an7}FAMILY'S {\an8}LEGACY.

THAT LEGACY WAS BEN {\an7}PEARSON {\an7}OF PINE {\an7}BLUFF WHO BECAME WORLD {\an7}FAMOUS FOR {\an8}DEVELOPING HIS PASSION FOR {\an7}ARCHERY {\an7}INTO A {\an7}NEW INDUSTRY AND SPORT {\an7}THAT'S {\an7}CURRENTLY ENJOYED BY {\an7}MILLIONS OF {\an7}PEOPLE {\an7}WORLDWIDE.

AND FOR THAT, {\an7}HE'S {\an8}RECOGNIZED AS THE FATHER OF {\an7}MODERN {\an7}ARCHERY.

{\an8}IN 1966, PEARSON BOUGHT THIS {\an7}SECLUDED {\an8}OZARK PARADISE AND PRIM FROM {\an7}A {\an7}NEWSPAPER AD AND HAD A {\an7}VISION FOR A {\an8}ONE OF A KIND OZARK RETREAT.

{\an7}>> I THINK MAYOR MIGHT {\an7}HAVE BEEN {\an7}THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

{\an7}AND HE SAW {\an7}AN AD {\an7}SAID SOMETHING LIKE, "TWO {\an7}WATERFALLS {\an8}AND FARMHOUSE AND A BARN -- {\an7}WILDLIFE, {\an8}DEER."

"OH, I'M GOING TO GO {\an7}LOOK AT {\an8}THAT."

AND HE CAME UP -- HE {\an7}SAID, "I {\an8}WANT TO SEE THAT WATERFALL {\an7}FIRST."

{\an7}SO THEY TOOK HIM DOWN THE {\an7}CANYON.

{\an7}HIKED {\an7}UP THE CREEK.

AND HE SAW {\an7}THE {\an7}WATERFALL.

AND HE SAYS, {\an7}"OH, I'VE {\an7}GOT TO BUY {\an7}THAT."

AND THEN PLANNED {\an7}RIGHT AWAY.

{\an8}HE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY AND {\an7}STARTED {\an8}GETTING A FRIEND OF HIS THAT {\an7}WAS AN {\an8}ARCHITECT TO DESIGN A HOUSE, {\an7}WHICH HE {\an8}DID.

REAL BEAUTIFUL 3-STORY {\an7}OR {\an7}2-STORY HOUSE.

A LOT OF {\an7}GLASS.

{\an7}MATERIAL WAS {\an8}COMING IN.

THE PLANS WERE {\an7}DONE.

{\an8}"NO, THAT'S GOING TO BLOCK {\an7}THE {\an7}NATURAL VIEW {\an8}OF EVERYTHING."

YOU KNOW, {\an7}AND NOT {\an7}BLEND IN WITH IT LIKE I {\an7}THINK I CAN {\an7}DO IF {\an8}I CAN JUST STICK IT IN LIKE {\an7}WHERE IT {\an8}IS RIGHT NOW."

SO AS GOOD {\an7}AS THOSE {\an7}OTHER PLANS WERE, HE DID {\an7}AWAY WITH {\an7}THAT AND SKETCHED JUST A {\an7}VERY SMALL {\an7}LITTLE {\an8}PIECE OF PAPER AND HAD SOME {\an7}OF HIS {\an7}GUYS THAT WORK FOR HIM IN {\an7}THE PINE {\an7}BLUFF {\an7}AREA COME UP AND START {\an7}BUILDING IT, {\an8}YOU KNOW, AND HE WOULD COME {\an7}IN AND {\an7}JUST {\an7}CHECK ON THEM, YOU KNOW, {\an7}EVERY NOW {\an7}AND THEN.

THAT'S HOW IT {\an7}STARTED.

{\an7}>> IT BLENDED IN.

{\an7}>> HE DID.

YOU SAID {\an7}THERE'S {\an8}PEOPLE THAT COME HERE THAT {\an7}VERY {\an7}FOCUSED ON THE {\an8}WATERFALL.

THEY DON'T EVEN {\an7}NOTICE {\an7}THAT THAT'S THERE.

{\an7}>> WELL, YOU KNOW THE {\an7}WATERFALL, {\an8}IT'S KIND OF -- CATCHES YOUR {\an7}ATTENTION AND {\an8}YOUR FOCUS.

AND YOU'RE JUST {\an7}ENTRANCED BY IT.

I MEAN, {\an7}YOU CAN {\an7}JUST SIT -- A {\an7}LOT OF FOLKS CAN SIT HERE {\an7}ALL DAY AND {\an8}LOOK AT THE WATERFALL, NOT {\an7}DO {\an7}ANYTHING.

{\an7}THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN {\an7}PEOPLE COME {\an7}DOWN THE ROAD.

THE {\an7}WATERFALL CATCHES {\an7}THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY {\an7}JUST WALK BY {\an8}THE WALKWAY.

OH.

WHERE'S {\an7}THE CABIN?

{\an7}WE WALKED RIGHT BY IT.

{\an7}[LAUGHING].

{\an7}>> BEN PEARSON JUNIOR {\an7}ALONG {\an7}WITHSON BENJAMIN NOW {\an7}CONTINUE THE {\an7}VISION AND {\an8}LEGACY THAT EXTENDS FROM THE {\an7}LONGBOW {\an7}CABIN TO OTHERS WHICH HAS {\an7}BEEN QUITE {\an7}THE {\an8}ARCHITECTURAL AND... FEAT {\an7}TO SITUATE {\an7}THE CABINS EITHER BETWEEN {\an7}THE HUGE {\an7}ROCKS OR ON TOP OF THEM.

{\an8}>> MAINLY A LOT OF TIME.

{\an7}THAT'S {\an8}ARCHITECTURAL FEAT -- LOTS {\an7}OF TIME {\an7}[LAUGHING].

DO WE DO IT {\an7}THIS WAY?

{\an7}DO WE DO IT THAT WAY?

{\an7}>> YEAH.

{\an8}>> IT'S A -- YOU COME UP {\an7}WITH SOME {\an8}CREATIVE THINGS.

DO THAT.

{\an7}SOMETIMES {\an7}YOU {\an7}LITERALLY -- WE HAD TO {\an7}LITERALLY TAKE {\an8}AN AX AND GO IN SOME ROCKS {\an7}-- {\an7}FOUNDATIONS ON THAT.

{\an7}BELIEVE IT OR {\an8}NOT.

I'VE BEEN EASIER WITH {\an7}A {\an7}JACKHAMMER.

{\an8}[LAUGHING].

BUT WE HAD TO {\an7}CUT OUT A {\an7}COUPLE SMALL CORNERS, YOU {\an7}KNOW, TO {\an7}GET {\an8}SOME FOUNDATION POINTS IN -- {\an7}MORE AT {\an8}THE SOVEREIGN CABIN THAN THE {\an7}OTHERS.

{\an8}AND WE USED SOME INNOVATIVE {\an8}TECHNIQUES WITH CHICKEN WIRE {\an7}[LAUGHING] TO KIND {\an7}OF SEAL THE FLOOR, THE {\an7}WOODEN FLOOR, {\an8}AND ROCK -- TO NAIL THAT.

{\an7}THAT WAS {\an7}16 {\an8}YEARS AGO BUSH MASTER.

THAT {\an7}SEEMS TO {\an8}BE HOLDING TOGETHER SO FAR.

{\an7}>> NOW, THE BOAT ART {\an7}ONE .

YOU {\an8}KIND OF JUST LITERALLY SET {\an7}IT ON TOP {\an7}OF THE {\an7}BOULDERS.

{\an8}>> YEAH.

IT'S LIKE HALF {\an7}OF IT'S {\an8}ON SLAB AND THE OTHER HALF {\an7}OF IT'S {\an7}SUSPENDED {\an8}OUT OVER A BIG BOULDER, YOU {\an7}KNOW?

{\an7}KIND OF ON GROUND LEVEL {\an7}HALFWAY AND {\an8}TREETOP ON THE OTHER HALF OF {\an7}IT.

{\an8}THAT WAS JUST FINDING A BIG {\an7}ROCK THAT {\an7}WE {\an8}THOUGHT WOULD BE STABLE.

SO {\an7}FAR IT {\an8}IS.

IT'S A PRETTY BIG ROCK.

{\an7}>> .

{\an8}>> I GREW UP HUNTING AND {\an7}HIKING ON {\an8}THE CANYONS AND BLUFF LINE.

{\an7}THAT {\an7}KIND OF {\an7}LED INTO ME ROCK CLIMBING {\an7}AND REALLY {\an7}GETTING INTO NATURE, {\an7}OUTDOORS, {\an8}BACKPACKING AND EVERYTHING.

{\an7}YOU {\an8}KNOW, DIFFERENT PEOPLE ENJOY {\an7}DIFFERENT {\an8}ASPECTS OF THE PROPERTY.

A {\an7}LOT OF {\an8}YOUNGER PEOPLE WANT TO GET {\an7}OUT AND {\an7}REALLY {\an8}HIKE -- DO ACTIVITIES.... {\an7}SOME OF {\an8}THE OLDER PEOPLE THAT DON'T {\an7}WANT TO {\an7}HIKE {\an8}AS MUCH, THEY ENJOY JUST THE {\an7}PEACE {\an7}AND TRANQUILITY OF THE {\an7}PROPERTY, {\an7}RELAXING {\an7}AT THE CABIN, RELAXING AT {\an7}THE HAMMOCK.

{\an7}... CABIN.

{\an8}>> IF YOU DO GET TIRED OF {\an8}HAMMOCKING, THERE ARE PLENTY {\an7}OF {\an7}HIKING TRAILS TO {\an7}WEAR OUT.

LONGBOW FALLS {\an7}TRAIL WILL {\an7}TAKE YOU TO THE TOP OF {\an7}LONGBOW FALLS {\an7}FOR {\an8}A REALLY NICE VIEW.

OR YOU {\an7}CAN TAKE {\an7}THE BUSHMASTER TRAIL TO {\an7}DIANA'S POOL {\an7}AND {\an7}FALLS.

{\an8}INSTRUCTOR: WE ORIGINALLY {\an7}NAMED IT {\an8}AFTER THE GODS OF THE HUNT {\an7}DIANA.

{\an7}AND I'M ALSO DIANA.

IT'S {\an7}RIGHT ABOVE {\an7}BUSH MASTER CABIN.

IT'S {\an7}ABOUT {\an8}PROBABLY 10-15 MINUTE HIKE {\an7}UP HERE.

{\an8}AND AS UK YOU CAN SEE RIGHT {\an7}NOW IT'S {\an8}RAINING A LITTLE BIT.

WHEN {\an7}IT RAINS {\an8}A LOT, IT'S A LOT HEAVIER.

{\an7}BUT IF {\an7}IT'S {\an7}NOT RAINING AT ALL, THEN {\an7}THERE'S {\an8}STILL ALWAYS GOING TO BE A {\an7}POOL RIGHT {\an7}HERE.

{\an7}>> THIS IS JUST ONE OF {\an7}WHAT FIVE {\an7}HIKING TRAILS.

{\an7}>> YEAH, THERE ARE {\an7}SEVERAL HIKING {\an8}TRAILS.

A FEW OF THEM LEAD {\an7}TO {\an8}WATERFALLS.

THIS IS ONE OF {\an7}THEM.

{\an8}BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL ONES.

{\an7}ONE ON {\an8}THE NORTH SIDE.

AS YOU KNOW {\an7}THE LONG {\an7}BOW CABIN HAS A 30-FOOT {\an7}WATERFALL {\an7}TOO.

THIS IS ONE OF OUR {\an7}FAVORITES.

{\an8}>> BEFORE WE LEAVE THIS {\an7}LITTLE {\an7}CHUNK OF OZARK PARADISE, {\an7}PALLETTE {\an8}PEARSON WANTED TO... POEM {\an7}THAT {\an7}REFLECTS AND EMBRACES THE {\an7}FAMILY'S {\an7}ARCHERY HERITAGE.

{\an7}>> A POEM BY MARIE {\an7}THOMPSON, THE {\an7}AUTHOR OF WITCH RI OF {\an7}ARCHERY DATED {\an8}1938.

THIS IS A QUOTE.

AS {\an7}LONG AS {\an7}THE NEWMAN RETURNS IN {\an7}HEAVEN, BENT {\an8}BEAUTIFUL BOW.

SO LONG WITH {\an8}FASCINATION OF ARCHERY KEEPS {\an7}HOLD OF {\an7}THE HEARTS OF MEN.

.

{\an7}>> IT WAS CALLED {\an7}ARKANSAS' DREAM {\an8}COW.

RIPENED SPRINGS, WHICH {\an7}HAPPENS {\an7}TO BE ONE OF THE OLDEST {\an7}SETTLEMENTS {\an8}IN THE STATE .

IT ALL BEGAN {\an7}IN 1880 {\an7}WHEN A METHODIST MINISTER {\an7}WILLIAM {\an7}BAILEY HAD A DREAM OF A {\an7}HEALING {\an7}SPRING... NEAR WHERE THE {\an7}BAILEY'S {\an8}LIVE.

IN HIS DREAM REVEREND {\an7}BAILEY {\an7}AFTER {\an8}DRINKING FROM THE SPRING WAS {\an7}CURED OF {\an7}HIS LINGERING STOMACH {\an7}AILMENT.

SO {\an8}THAT LED HIM TO TRY OUT THE {\an7}SPRING {\an7}FOR REAL.

AND AFTER {\an7}DRINKING FROM IT {\an7}SEVERAL TIMES, HE HAD {\an7}COMPLETE RELIEF {\an8}OF HIS STOMACH PROBLEM.

AND {\an7}SO, THE {\an7}NICKNAME DREAM TOWER WAS {\an7}SOON... {\an7}ABOUT 50 YARDS UP FROM {\an7}BAILEY'S {\an7}"STOMACH {\an7}SPRING" IS "EYE SPRING."

{\an7}ITS WATERS {\an8}SUPPOSEDLY CURE SORE EYES.

{\an8}EVENTUALLY... EACH WITH ITS {\an7}OWN {\an7}HEALING PROPERTY OR SO IT {\an7}WAS CLAIMED {\an7}-- "ARTHRITIS SPRING," {\an7}"KIDNEY {\an8}SPRING" AND "HEART SPRING."

{\an7}AS NEWS {\an8}OF THE HEALING SPRING SPREAD {\an7}AND {\an8}FOLKS STARTED COMING IN FROM {\an7}ALL {\an7}OVER, IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG {\an7}FOR THE 40-ROOM SOUTHERN {\an7}HOTEL TO BE {\an7}BUILT JUST ABOVE THE MAIN {\an7}"STOMACH {\an8}SPRING" WITH STEPS LEADING {\an7}DOWN TO {\an8}THE SPRING.

THE GEOGRAPHY {\an7}OF THIS {\an8}AREA ALSO MADE IT FEASIBLE {\an7}AND {\an7}ATTRACTIVE FOR SETTLERS.

{\an8}>> THIS PART OF THE STATE {\an7}IS THE {\an8}FIRST HILLY AREA YOU ENTER {\an7}WHEN YOU {\an7}ENTER FROM MISSOURI.

{\an7}EVERYTHING {\an7}SOUTH AND EAST OF US WAS {\an7}FLAT {\an8}SWAMPLAND.

FULL OF SNAKES {\an7}AND {\an8}MOSQUITOES AND DISEASE.

NOT {\an7}MANY {\an7}WAGONS MADE IT THROUGH {\an7}THERE.

ALL {\an7}THE SETTLING OF ARKANSAS {\an7}CAME THROUGH {\an7}THIS COUNTY, {\an7}BECAUSE ANYTHING SOUTH OR {\an7}EAST OF {\an8}HERE WAS FLAT AS A PANCAKE {\an7}AND HARD {\an7}TO GET THROUGH.

SO THEY {\an7}FOLLOWED THE {\an8}FOOTHILLS OF THE OZARKS AND {\an7}RANDOLPH {\an8}COUNTY IS THE FIRST PLACE {\an7}IN {\an7}ARKANSAS THAT YOU FIND {\an8}[INDECIPHERABLE].

SO THAT'S {\an7}WHY {\an8}EVERYTHING CAME THROUGH HERE {\an7}FIRST.

{\an8}WE HAD THE FIRST POST OFFICE {\an8}IN ARKANSAS.

THE FIRST LAND {\an7}OFFICE.

{\an7}THE FIRST COURTHOUSE.

IT {\an7}WAS ALL {\an8}ARKANSAS TERRITORY THEN.

IT {\an7}WASN'T {\an8}ARKANSAS YET.

AND IN FACT, {\an7}THESE {\an8}THINGS, A LOT OF THEM WERE {\an7}THERE {\an7}BEFORE ARKANSAS TERRITORY {\an7}WAS FORMED.

{\an8}IT WAS PART OF MISSOURI AT {\an7}THE TIME.

{\an8}SO WE -- AND WE HAVE A LONG {\an7}LONG {\an7}HISTORY {\an7}HERE.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> HIKING THROUGH FALLS {\an7}CREEK {\an7}CANYON IS QUITE THE {\an7}ADVENTURE IN {\an8}ITSELF.

YOU'LL FIRST COME {\an7}UPON THE {\an8}DOCUMENTED SITE OF ARKANSAS' {\an7}FIRST {\an8}SCHOOL, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE {\an7}A CAVE.

.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> AN ANCESTOR OF MINE, {\an7}CALEB LIND {\an7}SEE NN FORMED THE FIRST {\an7}SCHOOL IN {\an7}ARKANSAS IN THIS CAVE IN {\an7}THIS CANYON {\an8}SHORTLY AFTER THE LOUISIANA {\an7}PURCHASE.

{\an7}I KNOW THAT MY OTHER {\an7}ANCESTORS WERE {\an8}AMONG THE FIRST SETTLERS IN {\an7}THE {\an7}COUNTY.

AND IT'S JUST A {\an7}MATTER OF {\an8}LOOKING BACK IN THE HISTORY.

{\an7}I CAN {\an7}TELL {\an8}YOU FROM WHAT'S WRITTEN ON {\an7}THE WALL {\an7}BACK HERE THAT PAGE 43 OF {\an7}LAWRENCE {\an8}DALTON'S HISTORY OF RANDOLPH {\an7}COUNTY {\an8}TELLS THE FULL STORY OF THIS {\an7}CAVE.

{\an8}AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO {\an7}GO HOME {\an7}AND READ LATER TODAY.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an7}>> IF YOU CAN JUST {\an7}IMAGINE THIS {\an7}CAVE BEING A SCHOOLHOUSE {\an7}AROUND 1817 {\an8}OR SO AND ALL THE CHILDREN {\an7}OF THE {\an7}AREA HAVING TO MAKE THEIR {\an7}WAY DOWN {\an8}THIS CANYON WHAT WITH BLACK {\an7}BEARS IN {\an7}THIS REGION JUST TO COME {\an7}HERE TO GET {\an7}AN EDUCATION.

NOW THAT'S {\an7}SOMETHING.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> BESIDE THE SCHOOL CAVE {\an7}IS WHAT {\an8}IS KNOWN AS THE "BLUE POOL" {\an7}SAID TO {\an7}BE BOTTOMLESS.

ANOTHER {\an7}QUARTER MILE {\an7}OR LESS YOU'LL COME TO {\an7}ELEPHANT CAVE.

{\an8}NO ELEPHANTS HERE THOUGH.

{\an7}IT'S SO {\an7}NAMED FOR ITS LARGE SIZE.

{\an7}>> [MUSIC].

{\an8}>> ABOVE ELEPHANT CAVE, {\an7}ABOUT 20 {\an7}FEET OR SO IN THE FACE OF {\an7}THE BLUFF {\an7}IS RAVEN'S DEN.

ALTHOUGH {\an7}DIFT TO {\an8}SPOT THROUGH THE FOLIAGE, {\an7}EARLY {\an7}EXPLORERS REPORTED RAVENS {\an7}NESTING {\an8}THERE IN THE CAVE.

AND SO, {\an7}FROM {\an8}RAVEN'S DEN TO THE SPRINGS {\an7}HENCE THE {\an7}NAME RAVEN DEN SPRING NN.

{\an8}>> JUST UP FROM ELEPHANT {\an7}CAVE {\an8}AROUND THE BEND RISING SOME {\an7}70 FEET {\an7}FROM THE CANYON FLOOR IS {\an7}LONE ROCK {\an8}QUITE AN IMPRESSIVE COLUMN {\an7}OF ROCK {\an8}THAT OVER THE EONS SEPARATED {\an7}FROM THE {\an8}CANYON WALL AND STANDS AS A {\an7}MONOLITH.

{\an7}HALLS CREEK CANYON AND {\an7}RAVEN DEN {\an8}SPRING NN IS QUITE THE PLACE {\an7}TO SEE {\an7}AND {\an7}EXPLORE.

IT'S ONE OF A {\an7}PLACE FOR A {\an7}KID TO GROW UP OUT IN THE {\an7}WOODS {\an7}RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE {\an7}CANYON.

{\an7}GETTING LOST AND GETTING {\an7}FOUND.

I {\an8}WAS HERE IN THE 50'S.

OUR {\an7}KIDS WERE {\an8}HERE IN THE 80'S.

OUR GRAND {\an7}KIDS ARE {\an8}HERE NOW.

AND IT WOULD BE A {\an8}WONDERFUL PLACE TO DEVELOP {\an7}AND GET A {\an7}LITTLE MORE PEOPLE {\an8}TO COME AND SEE WHAT RAVEN {\an7}DEN SPRING {\an8}HAS DOWN HERE IN THE CANYON.

{\an7}INVITE {\an8}EVERYBODY TO COME AND LOOK, {\an8}ESPECIALLY PEOPLE THAT MIGHT {\an7}WANT TO {\an7}HELP US DEVELOP IT.

{\an7}>> THIS IS QUITE THE {\an7}PLACE BACK {\an8}WHEN FOLKS USED TO COME DOWN {\an7}FROM ST. {\an8}LOUIS AND CHICAGO FOR THOSE {\an7}HEALING {\an7}SPRINGS.

WATER WAS {\an7}SOMETHING BACK IN {\an7}THE 1800'S, LIKE I {\an7}MENTIONED, MY DAD {\an8}CAME TO RAVEN DEN SPRING NN, {\an7}HABER {\an7}SPRING, HOT SPRIKS, {\an7}EVERYBODY BACK {\an8}THEN DRANK THE WATER, SWAM {\an7}IN IT, PUT {\an8}IT ON THEIR EYES AND HOPED {\an7}THAT IT {\an7}WOULD WORK.

BUT THE SPA {\an7}DAYS ARE {\an7}BACK AROUND 1880.

AND {\an7}THINGS HAVE {\an7}MOVED ON.

EVERYBODY HAS {\an7}THEIR OWN {\an7}DOCTOR NOW.

BUT YOU CAN {\an7}STILL TAKE {\an7}IN THE WATER AT BAILEY'S {\an7}"STOMACH {\an7}SPRING" IF YOU SO DESIRE.

{\an7}>> SO GO OUT ON AN {\an7}ADVENTURE FOR {\an8}YOURSELF AT RAVEN DEN SPRING {\an7}AND... {\an7}AND TO VIEW THIS EPISODE {\an7}AGAIN OR ANY {\an8}ONE OF OUR OTHERS VISIT OUR {\an7}WEBSITE {\an7}AT AETN.ORG/EXPLORING {\an7}ARKANSAS.

AND {\an8}DON'T FORGET TO LIKE US ON {\an7}OUR {\an7}FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.

AND {\an7}WE'LL SEE YOU {\an7}AGAIN THE NEXT TIME FOR {\an7}ANOTHER {\an7}EXCITING ADVENTURE ON {\an7}EXPLORING {\an7}ARKANSAS.

>> .