Shrouded in the Mist of Ponca & Majesty of Thorncrown

"The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." - Eleanor Roosevelt

The morning of our last day in Arkansas greeted us behind a veil of mist that covered the Ozark mountains and bluff line that surrounded our campsite. I awoke to the sweet sounds of silence punctuated by singing insects and melodious bird calls. Last night was rough: tossing and turning on our blow up sleep pads, waking up at 2 am to freezing extremities as we clumsily pulled on long sweats and shivered beneath minimal blankets. But the beauty and mystery of the Ponca wilderness at Steel Creek Campground had awoken my soul in a way the luxury and comfort of civilization had failed to do. A restless night in the utter darkness of the Ponca wilderness, encircled by pine trees, a peaceful river, rock side escarpments, and the untamed landscape was more refreshing than months of sleep beneath the warm blankets of my bed at home. Bert ardently disagreed with this assessment ; )

Peering out from our tent, I took in my surroundings. Campsite tents were silent in the early morning mist, their inhabitants snoozing peacefully as the sun tried mercilessly to reach out through the shrouded droplets suspended in air. We needed an early start to successfully make it back to Texas by the evening. We packed up Ren after our breakfast of cereal and boiled eggs. Before departing, I raced down the leaf strewn path that led to Buffalo River for one last view of the small life sustaining river that flowed tranquilly near our campsite. Early signs of autumn appeared on fallen leaves, a sign of the departed chlorophyll, through a rainbow of yellows and reds. Small fungi sprouted from tree roots that emerged from the soil, whispers of the fruiting body of mycelium hidden beneath the ground.

The ecosystem in the Ponca is harmoniously interconnected, each symbiotic relationship a reflection of the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. We are also a part of the delicate biosphere, essential workers in the process of preservation. How can we not feel compelled to protect the world around us?

We set off toward Eureka Springs, a tourist town nestled in the northwestern section of Arkansas. The roads wound through more of the Ozarks and the town of Berryville. We grabbed some iced brew at the aptly named "Bean Me Up" drive through local coffee shop in Eureka Springs, before leaving town and heading to a sacred spot on the outskirts.

On approach, the steel colored trusses criss crossed in a beautiful architectural design that aspired revere, peace, and strength. Sunshine filtered through the wooded area that surrounded us, wrapping us up in a warm, ethereal hug. The light wooden doors stood in stark contrast to the dark colored outline of this building. Light and shadows danced along the facade, reflecting the window inlet panes that enclosed this holy place. Inside, soft refrains from familiar hymns delicately play, and I felt a sudden overwhelming sense of tranquility. Peering through the glass, I saw the world around me, as though I was among the woods, as angular beams fell in perfect symmetry from the ceiling above. This jewel of the Ozarks echoed a gothic element of design and beckoned visitors to experience the majestic beauty interwoven within the lattice design. Within Thorncrown Chapel, I felt a unique intimacy with God, as the beauty of his creation seemed intertwined with the sanctitude of the sanctuary.

We drifted back down the flagstone path to the parking lot, both imbued with newfound strength. Although Arkansas sparkled in our minds, we both knew our home lie elsewhere. Feeling refreshed, we set off toward Texas, soaking in the surrounding countryside, excited for the next step in our journey to discover our roots.