[RogMar]

Originally Posted by Chris19

I would like to try eating some crawfish/crawdaddies. I guess that I will find that out when travelling through.

looking at the Lakeshore Cafe menu got me thinking about firing up some hickory and throwing something that once had a face on the grill, but you blind sided me with the crawfish remark.

Here's where we get ours:

Arkansas Crawfish

Man.............that's good eatin'!

They boil 'em & serve 'em, but for those that want to take a little drive, call ahead, tell them how many pounds you want, and they'll put them in a clean tank and have them ready for you to carry them home & boil.

Get a kettle of them going, steaks on the grill, a barrel full of Heinekins, and you got the start of a good night in the country.

When you dump the mud bigs in the kettle, everybody chants:

"Boil 'em til they're good 'n' red, bite the tails and suck the heads".

I've got a couple of cajun neighbors.

Under their auspice, I have damaged myself now & again, and ate the best mud bugs I've ever had.

[rmclendon]

I am traveling from Vicksburg to Hot Springs. I will be traveling US 65. WHat is the current status of US 65. I am traveling in the early morning hours while it is still dark and would like any opinions regarding the highway.

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by rmclendon

I am traveling from Vicksburg to Hot Springs. I will be traveling US 65. WHat is the current status of US 65. I am traveling in the early morning hours while it is still dark and would like any opinions regarding the highway.

Are you taking 61 to Leland and crossing the Greenville bridge or taking I-10 to Lake Providence? Either way will get you to Lake Village but I suggest the Leland route.

From Lake Village to Pine Bluff is mostly divided 4 lane highway with a few spots of 2 lane and construction. Nothing that will slow you down.

From PB, you can take the divided interstate to Little Rock and then southwest to Malvern. You can also shoot straight across from PB to Malvern. It's all 2 lane roads through the woods with a few small towns.

-Robert

[Capt. Dan]

Isnt there a "scenic" highway 7 that would be a nice drive?

[AllenKarber]

Originally Posted by Robert_J

Are you taking 61 to Leland and crossing the Greenville bridge or taking I-10 to Lake Providence? Either way will get you to Lake Village but I suggest the Leland route.

From Lake Village to Pine Bluff is mostly divided 4 lane highway with a few spots of 2 lane and construction. Nothing that will slow you down.

From PB, you can take the divided interstate to Little Rock and then southwest to Malvern. You can also shoot straight across from PB to Malvern. It's all 2 lane roads through the woods with a few small towns.

-Robert

I would take US 270 from Pine Bluff to Hot Springs. It would save a bunch of miles!

[Chris19]

With heading through Arkansas in less than a month, I have a few questions that popped up.

How is the traffic in Little Rock when heading through there around lunch time (11-12 PM)?
How is traffic along I-40 from I-540 to Little Rock and US 65 from Little Rock to Pine Bluff?
How is traffic on US 65 south of Lake Village and heading to Tallulah?
Are most of the small towns along US 65 in Southern Arkansas safe, similar to Midwest standards, or anyting to be aware of?

[SwinerBock]

Originally Posted by Capt. Dan

Isnt there a "scenic" highway 7 that would be a nice drive?

Scenic and nice, yes. If you don't get carsick, and you want to triple the amount of time you are spending on the road, Hwy 7 would be just the ticket for you.

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by Chris19

How is the traffic in Little Rock when heading through there around lunch time (11-12 PM)?
How is traffic along I-40 from I-540 to Little Rock and US 65 from Little Rock to Pine Bluff?

It's been a few years but there was never a problem during lunch in LR. Towards PB, it will be very light. Watch your speed as you get close to White Hall. The state police sometimes sit on the backside of some low hills and you won't have a chance to slow down.

Originally Posted by Chris19

How is traffic on US 65 south of Lake Village and heading to Tallulah?

It is 2 lane / 55mph unless you get behind someone moving a tractor from field to field.

Originally Posted by Chris19

Are most of the small towns along US 65 in Southern Arkansas safe, similar to Midwest standards, or anyting to be aware of?

I don't know what midwest standards are? Will you get car-jacked if you stop at McDonalds? You have a better chance of getting hit by lightning. Watch out for speed traps around Gould (south of PB). Dumas, McGehee and Lake Village are all good places to stop, eat and gas up. South of LV, there is nothing except Eudora and I would skip it. If you have time, stop by the Panola Peppers gift shop in Transylvania, LA.

If you are south of Pine Bluff after dark, DO NOT STOP. Not the it isn't safe - it is. The skeeters will carry you away.

-Robert

[Chris19]

Thank you for your helpful advice, Robert_J.

As for Midwestern standards (primarily rural Miwestern, cosidering Iowa, Dakotas,Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, etc.), most areas of the Midwest have very low crime and often one does not worry too much about property theft, gangs, etc. Although in the Midwest (probably like anywhere else), if one looks for trouble, one could find it (even though it would be harder to find it than other parts of the country-out east, etc.).

Even being in the relatively safe Midwest, I tend to lock my doors (at home and lock my car doors), always have a cell phone (for emergencies), and be aware of my surroundings if I stop for gas or eat at a McDonalds when going somewhere: common sense.

As for speed, I have a tendency to be overcautious and stick to the posted speed limit when out of state. Some areas are not fussy with people who do the five over the speed limit and some are and it is best to not learn the hard way.

I do not forsee having too many issues with travelling through, but just want to have a general idea so I know what to look out for and plan to use common sense. I look forward to going through Arkansas and hope it is a pleasant experience. I have been through before but it has been awhile and had a good experience and the people were decent.