NORTH OF THE COMMUNITY OF DEER IN THE OZARk NATIONAL TRAIL AND THE NATIONAL BRIDGE.

THIS UNIQUE TRAIL BEGINS AT THE ALUM COVE PICNIC AREA AND AFTER FOUR TENTHS OF A MILE TURNS INTO A LOOP TRAIL WHICH LEADS DOWN ACROSS THE COVE.

THEN AFTER 1.1 MILES ENDS BACK UP AT THE ALUM COVE BRIDGE WHICH LOOKS LIKE A MAN-MADE BRIDGE ESPECIALLY WITH THE SIDE RAILS ADDED.

FROM THE BOTTOM IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY.

THE VIEW FROM BENEATH THIS NATURAL STONE PARK TRULY IS MAGNIFICENT.

IN FACT THE VIDEO REALLY DOESN'T DO IT JUSTICE.

SPANNING SOME 130 FEET ACROSS THT ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES IN THE OZARK.

SO HOW DID SOMETHING LIKE THIS FORM?

WELL, THE EXPLANATION IS BEING COMPRISED OF SANDSTONE, THE ARCH WAS ONCE A PART OF THE SHELTER AND THROUGH THE WEATHER PROCESS OF RAIN, WIND AND ICE FORMED THE GAP FROM THE FORMING HANG OR THE SHELTER.

THIS NATIONAL BRIDGE SERVED A USEFUL PURPOSE WHEN IT WAS BACK BEING SETTLED.

REPORTEDLY SETTLERS USED THIS ARCH DURING THE RAINY SEASONS AND THE ROCK OVERHANG WAS USED BY NATIVE AMERICANS WHILE THEY WERE ON EXTENSIVE HUNTING TRIPS.

IF YOU TAKE THE TRAIL FARTHER DOWN TO THE BLUFF LINE THERE YOU WILL FIND SOONER -- SOME RATHER UNIQUE EXPLORATIONS THAT ARE WORTH YOUR WHILE TO EXPLORE.

THE CONVENIENT STEPS BUILT INTO SECTIONS OF THE TRAIL MAKE THIS VENTURE A WHOLE LOT LESS STRENUOUS ESPECIALLY GOING UPHILL AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU WILL HAVE REACHED ONE OF THE CAVE LIKE ROOMS ALONG THE BLUFF LINE.

>> OH YES.

THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

JUST HOPE THERE IS NO BEARS.

>> AT ONE TIME FREE ROAMING GOATS INHABITED THESE CAVE LIKE ROOMS GIVING IT THE LOCAL NAME "GOAT HOUSES".

AND AS YOU WOULD KNOW IT, WE RAN INTO A COUPLE OF OTHER EXPLORERS ENJOYING THIS FASCINATING AREA.

LEANNE SEIDEMAN AND HER HUSBAND PUT IT WHEREVER OUR HEARTS TAKE US.

>> WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY AND WE DECIDED TO GET IN THE CAR AND IF I SAID RIGHT WE WOULD TURN RIGHT AND IF WE SAW A BIRD WE WOULD TURN LEFT.

WE ARE ENJOYING ARKANSAS AND ENJOYING THIS BEAUTIFUL LAND.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS GREAT COVE AREA?

>> IT'S GREAT.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE HOLE WAS AND WE WERE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

I'M AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND HE TRIES TO AN APPEASE ME WITH THAT.

WE WILL A LOT OF TIMES STOP AND ENJOY GETTING PICTURES AND ENJOY WHAT WE SEE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT NATURAL BRIDGE?

>> I THINK IT'S AWESOME.

I THINK IT'S VERY INTERESTING.

I CAN'T IMAGINE DRIVING WAGONS OVER-THE-TOP OF IT.

I HAVE A FEAR OF HEIGHTS SO THAT WOULDN'T HAVE WORKED FOR ME VERY WELL.

>> SO GET OUT AND EXPLORE THE ALUM COVE NATURAL BRIDGE AND THE ALUM COVE NATIONAL TRAIL.

IT'S DEFINITELY AN ADVENTURE.

>> SOUTH OF THE PONCA WILDERNESS AREA ABOVE THE NATIONAL RIVER VALLEY, A LATE WINTER TRADITION CONTINUES THAT MOST PEOPLE USUALLY ASSOCIATE WITH NEW ENGLAND.

MAPLE SYRUP GATHERING ISN'T STRICTLY CONCENTRATED TO JUST NORTHEASTERN STATES.

WE MET UP WITH A FAMILY IN THE STATE WHOSE MAPLE PRODUCTION HAS BEEN A WAY OF LIFE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

>> AS FAR AS I CAN REMEMBER WE'VE DONE MAPLE SYRUP.

WHAT I HAVE DONE MOST IS PLAY IN A FIRE.

IT'S BEEN JUST A DRAW TO PLAY IN A CAMPFIRE.

WE'VE DONE IT FOREVER.

OF COURSE I DIDN'T GET TO HELP MUCH WHEN I WAS LITTLE BUT I ALWAYS ENJOYED IT.

THE SAME KETTLE WE USE NOW IS THE SAME ONE MY GRANDMOTHER USED.

IT THE SAME KETTLE.

WE USE THE DRILL WHICH IS HANDY TOOL AND A NEW SPOUT WHICH WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HOLLOWING THOSE OUT.

BUT WE COOK IT EXACTLY THE WAY MY FAMILY DID 200 YEARS AGO.

THEY CAME HERE KNOWING HOW TO DO THIS.

BECAUSE YOU DON'T GO TO ARKANSAS AND DECIDE I'M GOING TO START MAPLE SYRUP.

I THINK IT BENEFITED THEM IN A WAY THAT THEY HAD SUGAR.

THEY MADE THEIR SUGAR FROM THAT.

THEY HAD HONEY, THEY HAD IT AND WHO DOESN'T LIKE SWEETS?

THEY HAVE CARRIED ON THEIR TRADITION AND SOME YEARS WE'LL MAKE MORE AND SOME YEARS WE'LL MAKE LESS.

I ALWAYS REMEMBER SEEING THE TREES AND THE FIRE SMELLS THE SAME.

IT BRINGS YOU BACK.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT ACTUALLY MAPLE SYRUP IS TAPPED IN ARKANSAS.

>> EVEN LOCAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE LIVED HERE THEIR ENTIRE LIVES THEY HAVE NO IDEA THAT THIS IS TAPPED.

THEY SEE JUGS ALONG THE ROAD.

BUT IT DEFINITELY SOMETHING ASSOCIATED MORE WITH THE NORTH.

BUT WE'VE DONE IT HERE FOREVER AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO IT.

I HOPE MY DAUGHTER WILL, EVEN IF SHE DOESN'T DO IT ON A LEVEL TO SELL IT, I HOPE SHE WILL AT LEAST MAINTAIN IT SO SHE KNOWS AND CARRIES ON THE TRADITION.

>> OF COURSE THAT TASTE, YOU CAN'T EVEN COMPARE STORE BOUGHT MAPLE SYRUP.

>> NO.

IT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE TASTE AND THE SMOKE OF IT AND COOKED ON THE FIRE.

I KNOW THERE IS FARMS THAT ARE A PRODUCTION HARVEST OF MAPLE SYRUP AND IT'S DONE VERY DIFFERENTLY AND I THINK THE QUALITY WILL SUFFER.

OF COURSE I'M A PURIST.

I'M USED TO DOING THINGS THE OLD WAY AND IT'S GOT THAT SMOKEY RICH FLAVOR.

>> WE'VE GONE TO 49 YEARS, ME AND MY WIFE HAS.

MY FAMILY HAS DONE IT WHEN I WAS JUST A LITTLE SMALL KID.

TOO SMALL, BUT IT'S BEEN DONE FOR YEARS.

THEY WOULD GO CAMP OUT FOR A WEEK OR 2 WEEKS OR HOW LONG IT TOOK TO GET IT DONE.

AND THEN BACK THEN THEY HAD HORSES AND WAGONS AND WHEN I GOT OLD ENOUGH AND THEY HAD QUIT DOING IT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS FOR A WHILE AND STARTED FARMING.

WE LIVED ON A FARM AND BACKWOODS OF THE COUNTY FOR ALL MY LIFE PRACTICALLY EXCEPT A COUPLE YEARS.

AND IT'S JUST A FAMILY TRADITION THAT WE'VE HAD.

ME AND MY BROTHER STILL DOES IT AND MY FAMILY AND MY WIFE'S FAMILY, THEY HAVE DONE IT FOR THE SIXTH TIME.

WE ARE THE SIXTH GENERATION THAT HAS LIVED IN THIS AREA.

>> A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THOSE OLD MAPLE SYRUP DAYS.

FOUR WHEELERS HAVE REPLACED HORSES BUT HER FATHER WANTED TO SHOW US HOW COLLECTING OF THE SAP USED TO BE DONE.

>> THIS WAS MADE OUT OF ELDER AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE PLASTIC.

THEY WOULD CUT IT AND TAKE A STICK OR HOT IRON AND PUSH IT OUT.

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THIS.

SPLEESHL -- ESPECIALLY THIS ONE IS 50 YEARS OR OLDER.

YOU CAN'T TAP THEM AS BAD.

YOU WILL BUST IT.

WOOD, WHEN IT GETS WET, IT WILL SHELL OFF.

THAT'S MY PRIDE AND JOY.

>> WE PROBABLY WON'T USE IT TO TAP.

>> I WILL DO IT SO YOU SEE IT.

A LITTLE BIT AT AN ANGLE.

>> I CAN SEE NOW WHY YOU USE THE DRILL.

>> YOU CALL IT WATER FROM THE TREE.

>> WE CALL IT SUGAR WATER.

WHEN IT RUNS, YOU CAN TASTE IT AND YOU CAN TASTE A LITTLE BIT OF SUGARY WHEN IT FIRST RUNS OUT.

BUT IT HAS TO FREEZE AND USUALLY IN FEBRUARY THE 1ST AND SECOND WEEK, WHEN THE NIGHT FREEZES AND THE DAYS THAWS OUT.

WHEN IT WARMS LIKE THIS YEAR TO 75 DEGREES, THEN THE WIND WILL DRY OUT THE SAP IN THE TREES AND IT WON'T PRODUCE ANYTHING AGAIN UNTIL IT FREEZES AGAIN.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND REDRILL THEM TO LOOSEN IT UP UNTIL IT RUNS.

WE BRING IT TO THE HOUSE IN JUGS AND WE MOLE IT OFF IN A KETTLE OR WE HAVE A WOOD STOVE IN THE HOUSE WHEN IT'S REAL COLD.

WHEN WE HAVE THE FARM WE PUT IT IN THE HOUSE TO MAKE SUGAR.

>> THE COOKING PROCESS IS QUITE LENGTHY.

>> WE CAN DO ABOUT 15 GALLONS A DAY ON A KETTLE LIKE THIS ONE.

IT TAKES PROBABLY 12 HOURS OR SO TO COOK DOWN 15-20 GALLONS DEPENDING ON THE FIRE.

IT IS A LONG PROCESS.

IT TAKES 15 GALLONS.

YOU WILL PROBABLY GET ABOUT A THIRD OF 15 GALLONS.

IT'S TIME CONSUMING.

IT'S NOT A MONEY MAKER.

IT'S JUST CAUSE IT'S GOOD.

>> BUT THE END RESULT IS ALL WORTH IT.

>> THE END RESULT IS WORTH IT.

IT'S NOT FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT CAN ACTUALLY GET 100% PURE SYRUP.

THERE IS NOTHING ADDED TO IT.

IT COMES FROM THE TREE AND GETS PROCESSED AND GETS ON OUR OWN PANCAKES.

>> AND PANCAKES IS WHAT WE WHIPPED UP AND COOKING IT TO THAT OH SO SWEET MAPLE SYRUP DELIGHT.

>> THIS IS WHAT IT ALL COMES TO RIGHT HERE.

>> THIS IS WHAT IT ALL COMES TO.

ALL THE WORK.

>> OH, MAN.

I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, YOU CAN'T BUY THIS IN A STORE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YOU REALLY CAN'T.

YOU CAN TASTE THE WOOD, THE FIRE, THE SMOKE.

YOU'VE GOT IT ALL.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS!

>> IT'S GOOD STUFF.

>> THAT IS.

UM-UM.

>> UTILIZING THE SAME TECHNIQUES AS NATIVE AMERICANS USED CENTURIES AGO, DAVID CHRONISTER OF DARDANELLE CARVES WOODEN BOWS.

>> MOST OF MINE I WILL USE, I WON'T SAY IT, I MOSTLY USE HAND TOOLS BUT PROBABLY 90% OF THE STUFF I USE IS TOOLS.

A LOT OF NATIVE AMERICANS USED FLINT AND STONE TOOLS.

I USE MORE OF THE MODERN CABINET SCRAPERS.

YOU CAN TAKE A PIECE OF GLASS AND USE IT AS A SCRAPER.

ROCKS, I KNOW GUYS THAT USE FLANT TOOLS TO SAY THEY HAVE DONE IT THAT WAY.

>> AND AS WITH NATIVE AMERICANS THE WOOD OF CHOICE IS OSAGE ORANGE OR BOIS D'ARC.

>> MOWS -- MOST OF THE BOWS THAT I MAKE ARE WHAT I USE AND PART OF THAT IS I GOT LUCKY AND LUCKED INTO SOME BOIS D'ARC WOOD AND BASICALLY IT WAS ME CUTTING IT AND SPLITTING IT AND SEASONING IT.

MOST OF THE WOOD I USED WAS CUT AND SPLIT PROBABLY IN 7-10 YEARS AGO.

SOME WOOD, OSAGE IN PARTICULAR FROM WHAT I'M TOLD DRIES ABOUT 1 INCH PER YEAR, FOR IT TO BE USE ABLE.

IF YOU GET A SCREEN, SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY CAN USE IT IN A MONTH OR SO.

I NEVER TRIED THAT.

SEASONED WORKS BETTER.

>> DAVID DECIDED TO HANDICRAFT PRIMITIVE WOODEN BOWS AFTER SPENDING YEARS WITH MODERN FIBERGLASS COMPOUND BOWS.

>> FROM THAT WHOLE TIME, I'M THINKING I CAN MAKE ONE OF THESE.

I WOULD REALLY THINK ABOUT IT AND PUT IT ON THE BACK BURNER AND WOULDN'T DO IT AND EVENTUALLY I RAN INTO AN ARTICLE AND A GUY WAS SELLING WOOD FOR BOWS.

MY INTENTION WAS TO BUILD A FIBERGLASS BOW.

THE GUY WAS SELLING WOOD FOR BOWS, SO I TALKED TO HIM AND HE SAID, YEAH, YOU CAN DO THAT.

IT'S NO BIG DEAL .

HE GAVE ME SOME INSTRUCTIONS AND I READ A LOT OF ARTICLES AND MAGAZINES AND BOOKS AND NEVER TOOK THE FIRST STEP TO GET IT STARTED AND HE KIND OF PUSHED ME OVER THE EDGE AND GOT ME GOING.

THAT WAS ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO.

THE FIRST BOW WAS A HICKORY FLAT BOW AND IT'S STILL IN USE TODAY.

IT LOOKS LIKE A PIECE OF CRAP BUT IT SHOOTS.

AND THAT WAS ALWAYS MY INTENTION TO MAKE IT SHOOT.

SINCE THEN I HAVE MADE 75 BOWS.

I GAVE MOST OF THEM AWAY TO FRIENDS OR RELATIVES.

I STILL GOT A FEW AROUND THE SHOP AND ALWAYS HAVE 5-6, 10 OR 12 IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF BEING WORKED ON.

USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS I WILL START ONE AND GET TO A SPOT WHERE THERE IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE HEATED AND STRAIGHTENED OR ONE THING AND I WILL SET IT IN A CORNER AND A MONTH LATER I WILL PICK UP ANOTHER PIECE OF WOOD AND START ON ANOTHER ONE AND EVENTUALLY GO BACK AND I HAVE GOT BOWS IN DIFFERENT STAGES ALL OVER THE SHOP.

>> WHEN YOU ARE SHAVING THAT WOOD, HOW LONG IS THAT PROCESS, I GUESS UNTIL IT STARTS LOOKING LIKE A BOW.

>> IF YOU GET THE RIGHT PIECE OF WOOD, DEPENDS ON HOW BIG A HURRY I'M IN.

MOST OF THE STUFF I DO IT STRICTLY FOR ME.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE IT HAS TO BE DONE RIGHT NOW UNLESS I'M IN SOME PARTICULAR HURRY.

USUALLY I DON'T EVEN KEEP UP WITH THE TIME I WORK ON ONE.

BUT, JUST AN ESTIMATE, ONE THAT GOES REALLY WELL PROBABLY 20 HOURS, 30 HOURS.

I HAVE HAD SOME THAT I HAVE HAD 75 HOURS IN AND BREAK THEM BEFORE THEY EVER GET SHOT.

BUT, I DON'T SEE THAT AS A FAILURE.

MOST OF THOSE THAT BROKE WERE PIECES OF WOOD THAT WOULD HAVE, THE ODDS OF THEM MAKING A BOW WAS PRETTY SLIM TO START WITH AND IT WAS MORE OF A PERSONAL CHALLENGE TO MYSELF AS TO WHETHER OR NOT I CAN DO IT.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DON'T.

>> I WAS ACTUALLY SHOOTING FOR THAT.

>> DAVID ALSO MAKES HIS OWN ARROWS.

>> THESE HOLD UP PRETTY GOOD.

THE ONLY THING ABOUT ASH IS.

IF YOU LOOK THERE, THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A KINK THERE.

NOT MUCH, BUT THERE IS SOME.

I WILL SHOOT THEM AND SHOOT THEM.

SO HERE IS ONE.

THAT I ACTUALLY SHOT ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO AND LOST IT OUT HERE.

AND FOUND IT ABOUT A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER.

YOU CAN SEE THAT ONE.

STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW.

>> OTHER THAN MAKING BOWS AND ARROWS, DAVID ALSO ENJOYS PASSING DOWN HIS SKILLS TO OTHERS ESPECIALLY KIDS.

I HAVE TAUGHT SEVERAL PEOPLE HOW TO BUILD BOWS.

SOME OF THEM WILL BUILD ONE AND THEY ARE HAPPY AND THAT'S IT, SOME OF THEM KEEP BUILDING.

SOME OF THEM WANT A BOW, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO WORK ON IT.

TO ME, BUILDING SOMETHING, I ALWAYS LIKE BUILDING MY OWN STUFF AND I TRY TO BUILD MY EQUIPMENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

THE KIDS, I JUST ENJOY KIDS SHOOTING.

TO ME IT'S BETTER THAN VIDEO GAMES.

IT GETS THEM OUTSIDE.

PLUS THE HUNTING THING IS NOT AS MANY PEOPLE HUNT THESE DAYS AS THEY USED TO.

I GUESS WE ARE BLESSED IN ARKANSAS TO HAVE ALL THE GAME AND OPPORTUNITIES TO HUNT.

WHEREAS OTHER PLACES IT'S NOT QUITE THAT WAY.

SO ANYTIME I CAN GET A KID INTERESTED, MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

>> OF COURSE AFTER WATCHING DAVID CHRONISTER HANDICRAFT A BOW, NATURALLY WE HAD TO MAKE SURE IT WORKED PROPERLY.

>> WELL, AS YOU MIGHT CAN TELL MY ARCHERY SKILLS NEED A LITTLE BIT OF IMPROVEMENT TO SAY THE LEAST.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS EPISODE AGAIN OR ANY OF OUR OTHERS, VISITOR WEBSITE AT AETN.COM.

WE'LL SEE YOU ANOTHER TIME FOR ANOTHER EXCITING ADVENTURE ON EXPLORING ARKANSAS.