The Arts In the Air exhibit at the Rockefeller Institute ended last week and the trip to pick up my paintings was the perfect opportunity for my godson and I to enjoy Petit Jean State Park. First stop was the overlook near the grave of Petit Jean. It provided tremendous views of the Arkansas River Valley and mountains beyond. Ryan, who is prone to car sickness, jumped from rock to rock, took it all in, and then announced, “I do not regret coming. This is beautiful.” We took a lot of photos and climbed around all sides of the promontory (don’t believe I’ve ever used that word before, tee hee!) and then headed over to the Institute to retrieve the art. While there we ran to the little lake, played on the swings, played catch with pine cones, and rolled down the hill. Okay, truth be told, I rolled down the hill alone, laughing hysterically and dizzy as ever. We looked at some of the interesting landscaping like foot bridges made of half of a huge tree as Ryan told me about mud puppies, and then we quickly went through the gift shop and the exhibit on Governor Rockefeller.
From the Institute we drove to the Rock House Cave trail head. The trail had stone steps at the beginning and Ryan was curious about a lot of the older structures and trails we have seen around the country. I told him about the CCC and WPA and PWAP as we climbed over the turtle rocks.
When we got the cave, there were some friendly people there who had spotted a snake slithering around the wall and tucking into this little alcove. One of them snapped this photo for us.
The cave has some petroglyphs which showed up much better in the photos than to the naked eye.
I enjoyed looking at them but what was best about this place for me is the way it felt to be there. I could easily imagine a joyful, communal life centered in the cool shelter within earshot of the creek. I wanted to stay there a while myself. No camping allowed here, so we headed out of the cave for the next part of our adventure.
I am getting ready for the Bentonville Art Walk and have lots to do in the studio, as well as, sunshine to soak in so this story ends mid-trail. Go to Petit Jean State Park and check out the rest for yourself! You won’t regret it.
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