Date of Visit: 22 March 2024
El Dorado, AR
53º cloudy to drizzling rain
I fell off the blog updates because of making park visits and writing, writing, writing. Glad to get back to sharing my trips with y’all. My 27th park, the South Arkansas Arboretum State Park stands out for being 12 acres tucked inside the city of El Dorado. As a former community college instructor, I love that South Arkansas Community College manages this site. Asphalt trails intersperse the preserved native woodland and the beds of both native and non-native flower species curated by area master gardeners. The walking experience proved an interesting juxtaposition as I wended under the canopy of tall pines and oaks all the while accompanied by the swishing of car tires rolling through the nearby neighborhood. (Aside: I like the rough and tumble feel of the park sign but missed the continuity of the traditional entrance signage at the other parks.)
I visited the arboretum early in the morning trying to beat some spring showers. I got about 10 minutes into my walk when the drizzle began and I had to run back to the car for my umbrella. In my notebook, I recorded the sounds accompanying me on my walk: pine warblers (ubiquitous on my travels in south Arkansas), an adamant male cardinal, my ever favorite Carolina wren, and the scattered rhythm of raindrops on my umbrella. Strolling along (I hesitate to even call it a walk b/c I kept stopping to take pictures), I also admired the spring green green green of the moss running along much of the paving. Being there right at the advent of spring meant getting to see many of the hardwood trees just leafing out. I fell a bit in love with this yellow poplar (the softest of the hardwoods, fyi). I mean, just look at the character in those leaf-shapes, the sublime new-life green, and the way it all sort of explodes off the end of that branch. Yum yum for the eye.
However, far and away the title of winner, grand champion, and wowza wowza for this trip goes to the overwhelming number of various azaleas in full and perfect bloom. Not all of these were native, but I stopped and admired them all. The rain only heightened their beauty. Trust that I filled up my iPhone with images, but my self-imposed rules for these posts mean I had to choose just one to share. I selected this white variety because of the drama of the water droplets and the delicacy of the stamens. To give all of nature its due, I also have a slew of photos from the parking lot where pollen fell in multi-colored layers atop the runoff water and formed delightful abstract whorls and swirls. I love it all.
I’m thankful to all who help keep the arboretum in shape, providing sanctuary for plants and humans alike!
Next up: Moro Bay
