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We leave Stuttgart by US 79, heading towards
Ulm and Roe. This region is capable of delivering enough grain
to feed all of Europe. Farmers are proud of their stability
and the clean sweep of their farms. One good friend of mine in
this area was a devout Lutheran. He and Dorothy could not have
children so they became staunch supporters of the youth program in
their church. Where others stumble over giving a tithe, from
the bounty his farm produced Joe donated 90% of his increase to the
church every year. His tractors never wore out, the rain never
failed and Joe still had enough time left over to pursue his
hobbies. Joe's whole life was proof that Malachi was a
prophet. When he died there was great mourning among all those
who knew him, for he was loved by all who knew him.
As we pass through Ulm and Roe, heading on towards Clarendon on Highway US 79, there are far fewer bodies of water available for ducks to land on. Big LaGrue Bayou does cross our road between Ulm and Roe. This is a delightful change of scenery for it is almost a straight shot from Stuttgart to Clarendon and the road rolls out in front of us as smooth as a yellow ribbon. Consequently, if we keep our eyes peeled we will spot ducks in here in due season, but expect them anywhere along the trip. Any little puddle of water that you come upon along the way may reveal a few ducks in there paddling away. |
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If you have taken my advice and spent the
night in Stuttgart then the sun is rising behind you and the
morn is glorious upon the road as we angle north and west.
The morning hue of light is like magic to soothe the eye and
rest the soul. Pity the poor people who live here and get
used to this (for them) all too regular splash of morning glory.
Because there are fields left open specifically for them to land in we can expect to see a heavy preponderance of geese in this area. At any point we might see them grazing in the fields by the thousands. If we stop and get out to gaze in awe it is unlikely that we will disturb them, unless we try getting closer. Self appointed guardian geese will be watching you for any cause of alarm. At their warning cry the entire flock will rise, wheel once, then stream away for what they hope is a safer grazing area. |
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The human eye can be trained at spotting motion of any kind, and noting the different from what becomes ordinary. There is usually so little traffic in here that you can slow down to the speed limit and take the time to train your human eye. Besides our hoped for waterfowl you will be likely to see mocking birds, wood peckers, raptors, cranes, herons, and egrets. Peaceful scenes invite you to pull off to the side of the road and just get out and gaze. After leaving Roe we will be skirting around and through wetlands where ducks again take predominance. Again I remind you this does not preclude the presence of geese. Traffic through here is sparse and pulling off to the side of the road will bring you closer to the beauties of this wondrous land.
When we leave Clarendon we will take Highway 302. It snuggles right up beside the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge. It contains a variety of wetland communities including some of the most intact and least disturbed bottomland hardwood forest in the Mississippi Valley region. There are over 56,000 acres in the preserve and more being acquired. This particularly wonderful part of our tour is formed by the White River and the Cache River. There have been times in the past when waters got so high you couldn't tell where one river became the other. Just before we get to Clarendon the two rivers get together and cross in under us. The Ivory-billed woodpecker hit the morning news by being spotted in here. You already know it is the largest woodpecker in the United States, and that it is the second largest woodpecker in the world so I won't belabor the point.
There are roads leading into the preserve and the one going to Seven Mile Bayou is definitely worth the trip. At Allendale you have another opportunity to stop and the more adventurous can go exploring. |
