#2: [31-Aug-01]

26-Aug-2001 -- I found the confluence with only minimal difficulty. The unmarked dirt road off highway 54 at first appeared to be someone's driveway. The only assurance I had it was the correct road was it matching the exact coordinates of an old USGS map. My E-Trex Venture was nailing the satellites that morning so I was absolutely sure of my position.

The dirt road leads past a couple of run-down houses that are typical for this part of Arkansas. Once I got past them I was deep in hunt club lease land. The confluence is about 150 yards West of a dirt road. ATV trails cross-track the entire area. The confluence is about 20 yards NW of a natural opening in the dense woods.

At about 7:30 AM I placed a temporary marker and took pictures from the four cardinal points. The air was heavy with mist and the low angle of the sun caused a lot of light backscatter. I wasn't sure my camera would be able to compensate for the haze. A prior appointment prevented me form waiting for better lighting conditions. Since I was using a film camera, I had no idea how bad the mist affected the pictures. Picking up the processed film Wednesday confirmed that I it was all in vain.

I will borrow a digital camera this week and re-acquire the confluence. Picture taken around noon should allow better lighting conditions in the heave woods.

Mike

Coordinator's Note: The visitor was not able to return to the confluence to take new pictures. The pictures posted are what he could salvage from his original pictures.