Jacqueline’s Jaunts

Today, we planned to hit the Chickasaw National Recreation Area to see the museum and get my passport stamps and stickers. The park consists of 10,000 acres. Directions to the visitor center took us into town. The visitor center is right outside the park entrance. When we arrived, we saw that a large artisan's festival was underway. The parking gods shone on us, and we found a spot right across the street. The visitor center features a small museum, and I was able to get my passport stamped; however, no stickers were available. One of the salespeople told me to go to the Travertine Nature Center inside the park, and they have stickers.  We decided to wander through the festival. The artists were mainly American Indians. All the art, jewelry, materials, baskets, and mosaics were so colorful and beautiful. We watched a few tribes perform dances, which I always love. The tribal clothing was amazing; the colors so vibrant. After exploring all the booths, we found the food truck ar...

Genealogy Fireworks in Stonewall: Whispers, Surprises, and a Happy Dance Most genealogy days feel routine, like flipping through old pages. But every now and then, you hit the jackpot — fireworks go off, your heart races, and the ancestors practically shout, “Pay attention!” That’s exactly what happened to me in Stonewall. From the moment we pulled out of the Arbuckle RV Resort — just a 30-minute drive away — I had no clue the day would end with me doing a full-on genealogy happy dance. Everything felt wet and balmy due to last night’s crazy thunderstorm. However, late spring still lingers, and the green grasses along the highway glistened from the rain the night before.  Once we arrived in Stonewall, we parked on Main Street. Barry went into a store to see if they had a few supplies we needed. The row of old buildings we parked in front of included the store. I just wanted to walk the street and take it all in. Knowing my Griffin grandparents, Bertha and R. D., Uncle Richard, Uncl...

Why the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith Deserves a Spot on Your Travel List Our last morning in Arkansas started slow — coffee, a quick breakfast — and ended with an unforgettable trip through U.S. history at the United States Marshals Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas . We decided to go to the U.S. Marshals Museum , sitting just a minute down the road from our RV Park — practically next door. We let the RV Park know we would be checking out late, and they were fine. Everyone who works there recommends the museum, and rightfully so. This Fort Smith attraction absolutely blew us away with its exhibits and storytelling. Since it had just opened on July 1, 2023, everything felt fresh and exciting. We spent two hours exploring the history of America’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. We came across a piece of steel from the World Trade Center, with an inscription honoring Marshals who died from illnesses connected to the attacks — a sobering and powerful memorial. A couple of i...

June 04, 2025, Riverfront RV Park, Fort Smith, Arkansas I felt better this morning, but it could still develop into bronchitis. I decided to see how I felt as the day wore on.  We visited Fort Smith National Historic Site . Before the entrance to the Visitor Center, there was a reconstruction of the gallows, along with some plaques explaining the gallows. It even had the trap doors. After the gallows, we walked over to the visitor center and museum. I got my passport stamped, bought stickers, and an “ Images of America ” book on Fort Smith. One of the rooms in the museum was a recreation of a jail cell. The information plaques were very informative. This was on the bottom floor. The top floors featured additional displays showcasing the fort’s role in the Indian Wars, the Trail of Tears, and the U.S. Marshals.   Now to turn the page to genealogy....I confirmed with a Park Ranger that Fort Smith was only operational from December 25, 1817, to 1896. I then told the Ranger that f...

03 June 2025, North Little Rock KOA, Arkansas, to Riverfront RV Resort, Fort Smith, Arkansas Uncle Richard called me this morning. We have been playing phone tag for the last few days. I needed the phone number of his cousin Mary Ann. Mary Ann is Herman's daughter, my grandmother's brother. I'd like to call her when we're in Fort Smith.  Damn this cold. Last night I coughed all night long, so I slept in a recliner in the living room. I rubbed some dōTERRA oils on my chest, covered my head with my blanket, and breathed in the fumes. Seemed to help. I also took Mucinex to help with the congestion. Around 4:00 AM, I was able to sleep better. NOT FUN!!! I'm wondering if it's COVID since Barry lost his sense of taste. We forgot to bring COVID-19 tests with us.  We arrived at Riverfront RV Park around 2:00 PM. What a great park. They have only been open for two years. It's right on the Arkansas River. Nice long, wide sites. Excellent play area for kids, featuring...