Spring Break trip to Arkansas

We took a trip to Arkansas for Spring Break. While visiting Benton County, we found Bethel Cemetery (just north of Decatur, AR) where our Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather Henry C. Hastings is interred. He came to Benton County in 1835 and served as county treasurer for 14 years. He was a farmer and cabinet maker. Three generations of our family lived in Northwest Arkansas prior to moving to Texas and then to Oklahoma. We have made contact with Glen Hastings, a distant cousin, who has been doing Hastings family research since 1985. He has agreed to share his research with us. 

Bethel Cemetery

This marker indicates that the land for this cemetery was donated by William Hastings, brother of Henry C. Hastings. 

Gravesite of Henry C. and Mary Word Hastings

 

Aaron fishing from the bank at Beaver Lake

 

Catch of the Day

 

Katie at Beaver Lake

 

A String of Bass!!

Aaron and Doug caught a couple of bass at the Horseshoe Bend area of Beaver Lake just east of Rogers, Arkansas. We cleaned (Aaron and Doug) and fried (Diana) these fish and ate them for lunch! 

A cold boat ride

Out on Lake Dardanelle, a reservoir on the Arkansas River. 

Nesting Bald Eagles

During our tour of the lake we were able to witness a pair of nesting bald eagles. While we watched, one of the pair came and went twice returning with freshly caught fish for its mate and young eaglets. The nest is in the middle tree. You can see the head of the nesting mate. 

Katie with the first catch of the day

Katie and Aaron fished in a fishing derby at the State Park. 15-20 representativs from the Arkansas Fish and Wildlife department and from the Little Rock Bassmasters group were on hand to make sure everyone caught something. 

Aaron with a prize-winning catfish at the fishing derby

 

Miniature Golf at Lake Dardanelle State Park

 

Here we are at Lake Dardanelle with the Smoky Ozarks in the background. The weather cleared long enough for a round of miniature golf! 

Aaron and Katie (and some old man who kept bothering us) got their picture in the paper (The Russellville, Arkansas Courier) during our Spring Break vacation. 

Trust in Meeeeeee, just in meeeeee, close your eyes....