DownHome Arkansas

Food, Travel, Wildlife & More

Category: Food & Recipes

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Parks, Barbecue and a Touch of Tunica

Keith Sutton October 16, 2025 No Comments

Some trips feel like a quick escape. Others feel like a little vacation—and this one leaned that way. On September 10, we left home in Alexander at 7:30 a.m. with a plan to explore three Delta-region Arkansas state parks, sample some world-class barbecue and finish with a bit of nighttime fun across the Mississippi line. Stop 1: Louisiana Purchase State Park Our first destination was Louisiana Purchase State Park, tucked deep in the swamps of

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Exploring Southwest Arkansas: History, Flavor and Nature

Keith Sutton October 2, 2025 No Comments

On September 3, our road trip took us south into the piney woods of Southwest Arkansas, where history, good food and quiet natural beauty made for another memorable outing. We left home in Alexander at 7:30 a.m. and drove to Conway Cemetery State Park near Bradley. This small but significant site preserves the final resting place of James Sevier Conway, Arkansas’s first governor. Shaded by tall trees and steeped in history, it offered a peaceful

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Day Trip: Petit Jean, Mount Magazine, Mount Nebo and More

Keith Sutton September 1, 2025 No Comments

With temperatures finally cooling a bit and the first blush of fall color showing in the hills, Theresa and I decided August 27 was a perfect day to head west and explore some of Arkansas’ most scenic spots. We left home in Alexander at 7:30 a.m. and made our first stop at Petit Jean State Park, about 68 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) away. At the visitor center, we grabbed maps and tips, then drove

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From Battlefields to Bayous: An August Day Trip South

Keith Sutton August 30, 2025 No Comments

On August 19, Theresa and I headed south from our home in Alexander for a full day of Arkansas exploring. It turned into a trip that blended Civil War history, quiet backwaters, small-town charm and plenty of good food along the way. We left at 7:00 a.m. and returned home around 7:00 p.m., tired but satisfied after covering almost 300 miles. Our first stop was Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park, a quiet, shaded memorial to

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A Delta Drive: Cane Creek, Lake Chicot and Arkansas Post

Keith Sutton August 24, 2025 No Comments

On August 13, at 7:40 a.m., Theresa and I pointed our Taos southeast and set out on another Arkansas day trip. The weather was still blistering hot, as you might expect this time of year. But the Delta offered plenty of scenery, history and good food to keep us going. Cane Creek State ParkOur first stop was Cane Creek State Park, a quiet gem near Star City where the woods meet the waters of Cane

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The Great Lakes Tour: Three Parks, Scenic Views and a Sweet Finish

Keith Sutton August 12, 2025 No Comments

On August 6, Theresa and I decided to make the most of a summer day with an easy, looping road trip through three of central Arkansas’s most scenic lakeside state parks. With temperatures promising to climb quickly, we set out early and kept our pace relaxed—giving ourselves time for photography, good food and a few cool treats along the way. We left our driveway in Alexander at 7:46 a.m. and returned home by 3:40 p.m.,

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Beating the Heat in Style: A Short and Sweet Arkansas Day Trip

Keith Sutton August 7, 2025 No Comments

When Arkansas turns up the heat—and we mean triple digits—it pays to pick day trip destinations that offer a little air-conditioning and a lot of charm. On July 31, with the mercury spiking, Theresa and I opted to take our weekly trip along a shorter route with indoor stops, museum visits and a lunch spot we’ve wanted to try for years. Our loop through Des Arc, Keo and Scott served up plenty of history, culture

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Two Days Through the Delta and Ozark Mountains

Keith Sutton August 3, 2025 No Comments

For our Arkansas day trip last week, we packed a suitcase. Theresa and I set out on a two-day road trip that took us from the farm fields of Cabot to the lakes of the Ozarks, looping through roadside produce stands, state parks and some of the quietest, prettiest spots in the Natural State. From heirloom tomatoes to Civil War relics, fried pies to étouffée, it was one heck of a ride. Day 1 –

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A Perfect Arkansas Day Trip: State Parks, Scenic Views and Fried Pies

Keith Sutton July 21, 2025 No Comments

We’ve entered a new chapter in our lives. With Theresa now retired, we made a pact: one day a week, we’ll hit the road and explore a different corner of Arkansas. Our goal? To complete the Arkansas State Parks Passport and take in as much of the Arkansas Farm Trail as we can along the way. No interstate. No chain businesses. Just real downhome Arkansas, one backroad at a time. Day Trip #1 – River

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Sims Bar-B-Que: Arkansas Flavor That’s Stood the Test of Time

Keith Sutton July 7, 2025 No Comments

Theresa and I have been chasing great barbecue across Arkansas for more than 30 years. From small-town smokehouses to big-city restaurants, we’ve sampled ribs, brisket, chicken, bologna and every sauce you can imagine. But no matter where we roam, we keep coming back to one place: Sims Bar-B-Que. Simply put, nobody does it better. Sims has been a fixture in our lives and on our plates for decades, and in all that time we’ve never

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