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Now I’m no professional bird watcher but in the few times I’ve sat on the porch at the store I’ve counted over a dozen different types of birds so far this year. Even though it sounds like they sing the same song every day I still find it very relaxing to listen to them and watch as they flock to the feeders and fight over black oil sunflower seeds. Some pick up whatever is knocked to the ground, not mentioning any names Mr. Mourning Dove, while other like the Blue Birds enjoy sitting on top of the feeders playing King of the Hill. On one morning this spring mom counted eight pairs of Cardinals at our feeders behind the house. Lately we’ve noticed more and more Yellow Finches making their way to free buffet. We recently put out the Hummingbird feeders after noticing them on the store porch going from one hanging lantern light to the next only to fly away hungry. Today as mom walked out of the store onto the porch she noticed a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird sitting in a plastic chair. She called me over and I was almost able to pick it up before it took flight. My best guess is a failed attempt to fly through the front window resulted in ringing his bell. I was happy to get so close and even happier to see it fly off unharmed.

In February we were treated to the loud knocking sounds of a giant Red-Headed Woodpecker high in the trees. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen one since watching Woody Woodpecker on Saturday morning cartoons as a kid. The Downy Woodpeckers seem to enjoy the suet cakes more than the mixed seeds. I’ve even caught them several times eating from the suet cage upside down.

One of the most colorful birds we've seen so far was a Painted Bunting on the feeders behind the house. It was blue, red, yellow and black. Very colorful. Pine Siskins, Chickadees, Finches, Blue Birds, Titmouses, Blue Jays, House Finches, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Sparrows, and Junco’s are just of the few the other species we’ve seen here at the campground. I’ve seen a Road Runner and hundreds of Turkey Vultures though it wasn’t here on the property. As I mentioned I’m no professional here so forgive me if I’ve called them by their proper names. Most of the birds I’ve mentioned may be fairly common and I’ve caught a glimpse of a few others that I wasn’t able to identify. Maybe you can help me during your next visit here at Heart O’ The Ozarks Campgrounds.
www.heartotheozarks.com

Mike&Cheryl Cook

As far back as I can remember outdoor recreation has held a special place in my heart. I grew up more than a few miles outside of a tiny little town in Upstate New York and, like most kids in those days, I wasn't allowed to play indoors while the sun was still up. I can vividly recall spending hours behind our house playing with Tonka's trucks and Matchbox cars in a dirt pile or in the creek catching crawdads and making rock dams. I would often walk up the creek jumping from one slippery rock to the next carefully mapping out my route, hoping to make it up to the big bend and back without a wet shoe. I explored every inch of our property several times over always making a mental inventory of anything I found that I could use to build one thing or another. Outside of my school bus route and the occasional trip to the city to visit relatives and eat at a restaurant that didn't involve ordering food through a window, this was my world. When I wasn't in the water or building tree forts using old barn boards and bent nails I was riding my Huffy BMX bike up and down the road.

Those carefree days sparked a passion in me that I've carried and utilized throughout my life and as I grew older so did my love and appreciation of the outdoors. Those rickety old forts turned into building three-bedroom split-level houses. The treks through the creek turned into a 10 ½ mile grueling hike through the wilderness of an Alaskan National Forest. Throughout my life I've gravitated towards outdoor activities of one kind or another and one of my favorites has always been camping. Something amazing happens when you sit around a campfire with your friends and family. Somewhere hidden in the crackling fire and often times badly burnt marshmallows the rest of the world disappears and a connection to a primal life embedded deep within our souls is found.  

One of my favorite ways to camp is known as "primitive camping". As the name suggests primitive camping is done in the wilderness with basic gear and minimal disturbance to the land. Highly developed camping skills are required and it is generally not a good idea for a family outing. It takes some getting used to and you really have to be resourceful. Without all the modern amenities we've grown accustomed to the simplest of tasks can become much harder to accomplish. For instance, before you can take your first sip of coffee, you will need to gather kindling and firewood , make a fire, collect water from a stream or lake, put in a pan or kettle, bring it to a boil, clean your only cup and finally brew the coffee. If you are like me it will be good ole thick-as-mud instant coffee. As laborious and time consuming as it is, at the end of the day as you lay your head down on a makeshift pillow and pull your blanket up around your shoulders you can't remember living a more satisfying day.

If you have never camped out in a remote area, completely cut off from the outside world, away from running water, electricity, cell phones and air conditioners I highly recommend you add it to your bucket list and experience it at least once in your life. Should you be lucky enough to spend this time with your best friend or spouse, hopefully the same person, you will experience a closeness with, and dependency upon each other unlike anything you have ever felt.    

 What it comes down to is being outdoors is whatever you want to make of it. Not every camping venture needs to consist of such extremes to make it a memorable vacation. Your energy level and imagination may determine what type of activities you seek but the very nature of, well nature, is that you can be as busy or as idle as you like and still enjoy it. Some of the classic activities include walking or hiking scenic trails, hunting and fishing, horseback riding, skiing, kayaking or canoeing, photography, gardening, camping and rock climbing. Some new-age activities can include hang gliding or skydiving, geocaching, bungee jumping, four-wheeling, kite surfing and snowboarding.

My advice to you is to listen to that part of you that longs for the great outdoors. Days, weeks, months, even years go by faster than we like so don't put it off. Grab your friends and family, a calendar and a map and start planning your next outdoor adventure today. It will be time well spent.
Author: Mike Cook
Heart O' The Ozarks Campground

Hello!
My wife and I recently took over Heart O' The Ozarks Campground, formerly Cedar Hollow RV Park. We are new to the area and looking forward to meeting everyone. This area is beautiful. We love the mountains, the lake, the river and all the trees. I even like the rocks though I doubt my mower will this summer. The people we've met so far are great. Very friendly, informative and always carrying big smiles. You've made us feel right at home and for that we are grateful. We are making a lot of changes to our campground/park over the next couple years and we hope we get to share them with you. Thank you people of Marion/Baxtor Counties! You Rock!

Sincerely,
Mike&Cheryl; Cook
Heart O' The Ozarks Campground
www.heartotheozarks.com

76 Marion 8119
Flippin, AR 72634b