Our 1st full day, KSG was with us (and the playlist made for a nice soundtrack). We took my wife's Pontiac Vibe. We decided to venture to the Blanchard area, with Mirror Lake which was supposed to be good for fishing, and hopefully to see the caverns.
Mirror Lake was nicer than in 2024 because we managed to venture down to the bottom of it vs just looking at it from up high. The water was too cold for me to really get into, but it was still a nice situation. While struggling to get some good family shots of us down there, this nice young lady offered to take the photo for us. I in turn took some of her and her young girl. I'd meant to send them to her, she was wanting me to, but we apparently failed to exchange contact information (she had offered to take some with her phone and send those to me, but I forgot to give her my phone number). Oh well, two ships that pass in the night.
KSG became irritated at the people who were playing loud "boom" music and jumping in from high ledges. The latter didn't bother me, whatever, but I agreed with him about the "boom" music--let people enjoy the sounds of nature, why don't you.
From there we went to the Trailhead, the same one where I hurt my leg the year prior, but I did fine this time. I also got some decent shots of KSG, something he actually asked me to do for him (did so at Mirror Lake too as I recall).
The cavern was closed, so we then ate at Angler's which I'd found on my phone's GPS. My wife wanted to check out the river but was told it was probably cold, and it had a rough current. KSG had me check out a nearby creek, which happened to be near a spot given by Gez Rogers (35.94178, -92.11831) but on the other side of the road (we were on the right-hand side heading east, Gez Roger's spot was on the left side), nothing came of it (may be private).
We then headed back and KSG crashed for the evening, I was doing the same, but around 7:40 got an inspiration to take some shots somewhere close before it was dark. I then remembered the scenic overlook spot in Marshall (35.89488, -92.61461) and my wife & I went and I managed to get some good shots there. I then cooked German Spaghetti when we got back, and made the apple crisp as well.
NOTES FOR THE FUTURE: There seems to be an access point to the White River & Sylamore Creek just north of Angler's, coordinates: 35.9413069,-92.114764. This is probably what the waitress told us about. Also check out Swinging Bridge near coordinates: 35.93594,-92.1214 . I suspect there are spots here for the finding which could make it a worthwhile area, especially in combination with the Blanchard spots.
Others (not in my list currently):
Sylamore Creek Gez Rogers Spot: 35.94178,-92.11831
Access Point to White River/Sylamore (near Angler's): 35.9413069,-92.114764
Swinging Bridge Nearby: 35.93594,-92.1214
Screenshot of Google Maps Street View Of Cabin Entrance
