[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by arctictropical

I find pine woods to be prettier - first off, because they stay green when leaves are down/less barren look, secondly Arkansas pines got those huge long needles, these are quite nice looking trees. Also pine forest is a cleaner forest with much less underbrush unlike the hardwood jungle, more biting bugs are where there's underbrush. Plus, pines clean the air and give off that nice smell. So I found South of I-40 to be quite stunning, they did log many more pines North of I-40 in Ozark NF versus Ouachita NF.

Everything you say is the exact truth. And that is why the Ouachitas are more user friendly. The pine forests. The Waldron area is beautiful. The mix of the hardwoods and pine is stunning. Another thing about the Ouachita is that the valley floors are usually a bit wider. Thus you have some really nice site lines from low spots and you also have more usable acreage than you might in the Ozarks.

It's hard to find any pine in the Ozarks to speak of. Apparently what there was was logged out by 1920. And that's a real shame. The hardwood leaf change is wonderful but in summer as you say the bugs are awful and in winter there isn't any green. The temps might be a little better in the north because the elevations are higher but we are talking about a three degree difference. Not enough to make that much difference in summertime.

[Hollynla]

Originally Posted by eddie gein

Everything you say is the exact truth. And that is why the Ouachitas are more user friendly. The pine forests. The Waldron area is beautiful. The mix of the hardwoods and pine is stunning. Another thing about the Ouachita is that the valley floors are usually a bit wider. Thus you have some really nice site lines from low spots and you also have more usable acreage than you might in the Ozarks.

It's hard to find any pine in the Ozarks to speak of. Apparently what there was was logged out by 1920. And that's a real shame. The hardwood leaf change is wonderful but in summer as you say the bugs are awful and in winter there isn't any green. The temps might be a little better in the north because the elevations are higher but we are talking about a three degree difference. Not enough to make that much difference in summertime.

Just had to comment on the part I bolded, much more than 3 degrees depending on how high to low. More like a 10 degree difference with much lower dew points and humidity at the higher levels as well as more breeze. Sometimes there is a 10-12 degree difference between me and Russellville, which is an hour and 15 minutes to my south on Hwy 7.

I mention this because I know the OP would like less heat/humidity so it's an important factor to consider. It was for me 7 years ago.

[DeanGuitarist]

Originally Posted by Hollynla

[/b]

Just had to comment on the part I bolded, much more than 3 degrees depending on how high to low. More like a 10 degree difference with much lower dew points and humidity at the higher levels as well as more breeze. Sometimes there is a 10-12 degree difference between me and Russellville, which is an hour and 15 minutes to my south on Hwy 7.

I mention this because I know the OP would like less heat/humidity so it's an important factor to consider. It was for me 7 years ago.

At the end of the month we're heading up. I really can't wait. Was supposed to move 2 years ago, but Covid messed that up with jobs. Now there's nothing holding us back! It's all in good timing to call Arkansas home. And yes, the heat is really #1 factor. It's so miserable knowing that you need to get things done outside, but the second you open that door and feel the heat, and your breath gets taken away. Body can't take it as much as I used to.

[Rock Climber]

The Waldron and Mena area is very remote and beautiful. I don' t know much about the local economies, but the national forest covers a majority of the area it seems. Some of the vistas driving down Highway 71 near those towns look like you are in the Smokies.