[RogMar]

Originally Posted by HotSpringsLiving

RogMar, there was an interesting article I read about caves that mentioned many are being closed temporarily to relieve the transferral of a certain bat disease (does NOT affect humans). Officials don't want cave visitors to visit multiple caves and transmit the disease to other bat colonies.

The article mentioned that Blanchard has made no changes as of now, but may have to adjust in the future.

The tip was to change your clothing if traveling from cave to cave.

I loved visiting Blanchard and many other caves as a kid. I thought I would mention this since you brought up Blanchard earlier.

Yes, I have followed that fairly closely as I rather favor our bats out here. Not only are they a blast to watch at dusk, but *anything* that eats bugs gets my vote and support.

The problem has been limited to a few areas, as far as I can see, and hasn't crept into Arkansas yet. I'm hoping that it doesn't. I have a neighbor that has a subterranean cave, and we have stood in the woods and watched them exit. It's also cool to take a stethoscope, place it on the bedrock near the opening, and you can hear them chattering in the cave.

Hillbilly entertainment.

Blanchard is impressive, if one wants adventure I would imagine that explorers tour where you wear a helmet, kneepads, and take a flashlight would certainly keep ones attention.

I however, am probably 25 years past that, so the 1 1/2 hour walking tour fit the knees much better.

[slaque]

While I would heartily welcome you to become a part-time resident of Stone County/Mountain View, you should know a few things if you are considering building on the White River.

1.) Stone County does NOT participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. You cannot buy flood insurance for your property if you live in Stone County, unless you live w/in the physical city limits of Mountain View. I don't know for sure where your potential lot is at, but there are no river front lots that actually lie w/in the MV city limits

2.) Most people building along the White River have a lot in the Alison/Sylmaore area, north of Mtn. View. The White River is also the county line. If you live on the east side of the river, you are actually in Izard County, and I believe Izard DOES participate in the Nat'l Flood Insurance Program.

3.) The White River floods. It's flooded quite a lot in the past few years. A river is not a lake, or an ocean -- it rises and falls quickly and unpredictably. Add to that the fact that there are a few dams upstream on the White River that can raise water levels after a heavy rain. I absolutely love the river view, but most people don't take into account how violent a river can quickly get. Build accordingly.

4.) There are lots of high places where you can build w/ a riverview while being quite far from the river. That is, if you don't mind living on the side of a mountain