A Camden, Arkansas, sunrise -- Photo by Pat Bean
“To read the papers and to listen to the news … one would think the country is in terrible trouble. You do not get that impression when you travel the back roads and the small towns …” — Charles Kuralt
Travels With Maggie
I flushed a northern cardinal and a brown thrasher and startled a flock of Brewer’s blackbirds this morning when I first opened my RV door. This trio, along with mockingbirds, sparrows and crows, are regular visitors to my youngest daughter’s five-acre home in Camden, Arkansas.
This small friendly town, where strangers you meet act as if you had been a dear friend for years, has no traffic jams (which I love) but also no Starbucks (which I occasionally miss). It’s greatest claims to fame are Grapette and Camark.
Gypsy Lee snug in her Arkansas temporary winter home -- Photo by Pat Bean
The first is the dark purple soda introduced in Camden in 1940. Although not ranking up there on the popularity meter with Coke or Pepsi, one can still buy and drink Grapette today. Remembering how I used to love its sweet grape flavor, I drink half of one every few years or so before overdosing on the sugary taste. These days I don’t even put sugar in my coffee or tea.
Camark was the name of a pottery plant that opened its doors in Camden in 1926. It was a thriving industry in the town for many years, but sold its last piece of pottery here in 1982. The pottery is considered quite collectible today, at least according to those who supposedly know such things.
What I know is that Camden is a nice place to recharge my batteries for a few weeks in winter in anticipation of getting back on the road in the spring. Bonus features include a perfect sunrise view out my RV window, a visiting armadillo, an occasional ride on one of my daughter’s horses, being lulled to sleep by coyotes howling in the adjacent woods, and sightings of a pileated woodpecker that likes to sit in a tall tree at the end the long driveway.
Oh yes! Let’s not forget the bonus of visiting with my daughter and her husband, and three young grandsons.
Life is good in Camden, Arkansas.
Pat Bean's blog 
Absolutely gorgeous sunset!
Oops—sunrise!
Your writing absolutely flows, Pat. Want to see that published book in the future! Want it. 🙂
What a wonderful way to live. I have dreamed of this, many times. Maybe one day I’ll get to do it.
My son and I once traveled through Arkansas on our way to Texas from NC. It was hot. Very humid. I have a really cool rock I found there and we drank cold good water from a spring in the center of a town we stopped in.
Happy Travels to you and Maggie!
Pat, how wonderful to hear about the southern part of the state in something besides ice and snow again. I know you will enjoy your stay there on the Ouachita River. My hometown is right upriver – Malvern. They had eight inches of snow last week. I’m now in the Ozarks and we’re expecting sleet again Sunday evening. But I have a bottle of Grapette sitting on the table next to my glassfull; I’m looking at my pretty tiny Camark vases in the window; and you have reminded me of the beauty of this wonderful place called Arkansas. Thanks, thanks, thanks. Happy rejuvenating.
I’m planning on driving the Blue Ridge Parkway this spring and am looking forward to see Mt. Pisgah personally. If this old broad’s legs will agree, I might even take the steep trail to the top that my guide book says can be accessed from the parkway. Thanks for your comments.
Small town Arkansas is a GREAT place to vacation in, no doubt on that issue. However living in one of those small towns another story. These are places where you can honestly be denied a job because you are not from the “right” family or don’t attend the “right” church!!! As a child teachers had the gall to even belittle me over who my father was!!! Even to this day I see this happen in and around the small communities of North Central Arkansas!!! My advice: Vacation in the Natural State all you like. There a definatley many beautiful atributes but definatley don’t stay in any “small town” for very long! Oh and if you do decide to live here, look at the larger cities for a permanant residence. Cost of living will be higher, but it’s worth it to not have the day to day agrivation of life in a small town!
Your comments are right on. The things you speak of happens all across the world, however, not just in a small town in Arkansas. It’s a sad failing of the human race that some of us are frightened and scared of anything or anyone who thinks differently from themselves. I see it, I acknowledge it, and in my own small way I try to fight it. I particularly grieve for those of my sex who live in countries where they have no rights or votes and can not walk the streets in safety. But I also see much good in this world, and much beauty. And it is these things I write about in this blog. But I thank you Vicky for your thoughtful comments, which helps keep this darker side of the human race in our thoughts as well.
Pat