Roark Bluff

Last week, I woke up before dawn and started driving towards the Buffalo River. Luckily we were staying in a cabin by Jasper, so the drive wasn’t too long. It was extremely foggy, and the car headlights had trouble penetrating the mist along some of the curvy roads. I slowly drove to the put-in at Steele Creek, and then hurried through the dew-soaked grass and trees to the river. The thick fog was drifting along the river, obscuring the top of Roark Bluff.



This has turned into one of the best years for fall color that we’ve had in Arkansas recently. And an extra benefit, it’s been so rainy that we also have the rare treat of full creeks and rivers. A few years ago we were in a drought and there was hardly any water in the river. Definitely not the case this year.



The fog was thick enough to completely block the sunrise, with only the bright fall colors popping into view along the river.





This is my favorite stretch of the entire Buffalo River - it was in this spot in 2013 where I proposed to Caroline (and for some reason she said yes).



The fog finally began to clear as I hurried down the river to try to get a few more shots...





Another view of Roark Bluff, which is the longest bluff along the river. The bluff stretches for about a three-quarters of a mile and is about 200 feet tall.





Steele Creek is also home to an equestrian camp, and two horses were out in a field also enjoying the view. This one didn't seem to mind posing for a few pictures.



And one last shot from here, before I headed off to Boxley Valley. This is the view of where Steele Creek actually flows into the Buffalo River.