How did we end up in Arkansas?

  A few years ago, Dawn came home from Costco all bright-eyed with visions of e-bikes, so we rushed to the store and bought two bikes which were notable mainly by their low price and great guaranty.  They were simple and fun to ride.  They encouraged us to go further and steeper when bicycling than we had done previously (we had previously only experienced rather inexpensive bikes, <$200).  Then we took a trip to Montana this summer.  There we experienced trails that significantly exceeded the capability of our simple little e-bikes; in fact, one of our e-bikes stopped working (returned for a full refund).  Additionally, when we visited Eric Eggen he showed us his two e-bikes which were much more capable and confidence-inspiring than what we were riding.

When we got home from the trip, I immediately went into research mode to discover what features a real offroad e-bike should have.  Then I went online to check the inventory of bicycle stores in the area.  Bicycles have become very popular in our COVID-influenced culture.  I was able to find two proper e-bikes, one in Colorado Springs and one in Denver: different brands but similar specifications.  I also had to buy a new receiver hitch bike carrier due to the heavier weight and longer wheelbase of the e-bikes.

These new mountain bikes have full suspension, mid-drive motors, hydraulic brakes, sufficient battery life for about 60 miles, and plenty of gears while keeping the weight to about 50 pounds.  Tremendous fun with measured exercise.  Our goal is not to see what challenging courses and obstacles we can conquer, but to go further and steeper, on what may be rough trails, to enjoy the scenery and chosen level of exercise.

The first Walmart in the town square of Bentonville, Arkansas.  Today, Walmart has taken over the area. very few grocery stores except Walmart.  Walmart has also required their suppliers to have local offices which has caused an influx of business; then other businesses have been attracted by the affluence of the area and the attractive community that the Waltons have created.

It was Saturday morning and a farmer's market and crafts fair were also taking place in the town square.  Still T-shirt and shorts weather; a great day to be out.  Many bicycling trails emanate from this central point.

The view along a bicycle trail just north of Bentonville.  You can choose the difficulty of ride.  We chose rather sedate paths, but other trails included high speeds and "big air" jumps.  Our longest day ride was about 26 miles.

Then we heard about the great bicycling in Northwestern Arkansas.  The Walton family, of Walmart fame, has invested millions of dollars in making their headquarters, Bentonville, into a beautiful and enjoyable community.  The area is in the Ozark Mountains with rugged, forested terrain, large lakes, clear-running streams, and now great biking paths, both paved and single track: with man-made features or through the heavily-wooded slopes of forest ravines.

Why not take our e-bikes on a road trip to this scenic area, not previously visited, and take advantage of mild Fall weather there with the heat of summer gone?  It didn't take much planning to reserve a week in the Bentonville-to-Fayetteville area.  Dawn was able to rent an entire house for about the same as a hotel room: a beautifully-restored 123 y.o. cottage in Springdale near the major bicycle Greenway.

The cottage entry way was too small for our bikes, but the kitchen had plenty of space.

Our cottage was actually quite spacious.  This was in an old, well-kept, central neighborhood of Springdale.  The Greenway, a paved and well-marked bicycle path, connects Bentonville with Fayetteville (about 30 miles apart), and Springdale is at the halfway point.  Did you know that cellphone GPS has a bicycle mode as well as driving and walking instructions?

Flowers from the garden next to our house.  Fall had not yet reached as far south as Arkansas.

Pea Ridge National Battlefield is nearby.  We are at a lookout point overseeing the battlefield.  Here in the wintery weather of early March, 1862, a Union army, 10,500 strong, met with a Confederate army of some 16,000 men.  Both armies had been marching hard (60 miles in 3 days) for days to reach this location.  Although only 400 died in the initial skirmishes, the eventual toll in lives was about 3,400..... a sad commentary on the state of medical care in those times.

Today a six-mile long paved path (perfect for bikes) allows people to tour the battlefield with ten stops with descriptions of the events of the battle.  Much of the expense for these displays was underwritten by the Walton family.

The trip lived up to our expectations, and the weather cooperated.  With Walmart success, the area has continuing new growth and many nice neighborhoods.  Amenities are excellent, scenery is good; people were friendly; and our schedule was relaxed.  Most everyone living there is originally from somewhere else; thus, they are open to newcomers.  A large Hispanic community with other minorities also represented.

Now I only have two states that I have not visited:  North Dakota and Delaware.