English poet William Wordsworth wrote "The Tables Turned" back in 1798. For the full-time RVer, these words could not be more true. With limited space, it is difficult to carry a number of books, even with taking hard drive space and "eBooks" into account. The quotation from this poem, "Let nature be your teacher," was found on our travels, and is quite befitting for a new series on this blog, where we take time from the RV and look at the world around us.
At the south side of the Twin Lakes of Arkansas lies Norfork Dam. This dam was yet another of the multitude of projects built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1940's, in response to large amounts of flooding in this part of the country. As with many of the dams built by the CoE, a small amount of hydroelectric power is generated here, serving north central Arkansas. Today, a short driving route sits atop, connecting the communities of Salesville and Jordan, along with a boat access point to Norfork Lake at the high point of the dam.
A marvel of engineering is not the only thing this place has to offer, as nearby lies the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. In a bid to protect and sustain wildlife, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service established a number of hatcheries across the country to breed these animals before releasing them to their natural habitat. Norfork's tanks house several species of trout. Step inside the bird-proof netting and walk along the tanks; you may just see a number of baby fish jumping at the top of the water. Once the fish have grown to be self-supporting, they are then released into the nearby Norfork River to enjoy their lives. It is near the hatchery where Arkansas created a small catch-and-release pier to encourage the fish to migrate.Even if you don't have a pole with you, a short nature walk along the river will bring you to peace.
So the next time you need a break from the hustle and bustle of driving and camp life, let nature be your teacher. Allow it to re-orient your internal compass, and you will be better prepared for the adventures that lie before you.
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