15 Feb 2026 Couple of the Month: Linda and Jim Henderson
Jim and Linda Hoggard Henderson have been part of each other’s lives since an early age, forging a friendship and marriage that has lasted through the decades.
THEIR STORY
“We have known each other since the ninth grade. As teenagers, we formed a friendship, which eventually turned into a love story. We were married on May 28, 1982.”
Now that they are both retired, the Hendersons have set a goal that should keep them on the road for years to come — to visit every national park in the continental United States. So far, they have visited 30 parks.
“Many of our journeys include visiting our son and daughter-in-law in Reno, Nev. Linda does the planning, and Jim does the driving. In 2025, our travels included photographing the Painted Churches of Texas and bluebonnets in the Hill Country; Mackinac Island; Santa Fe; Route 66’s western end; the loneliest road in America (Highway 50) that stretches through Nevada, Utah, and Colorado; Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park; and our very favorite spot, the Colorado San Juan Mountains.
In 2025, we added five national parks and two national monuments to our list of visited national parks. For 2026, we’re planning trips to the Oregon Coast, Redwood National Park, the Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma to see wild ponies and wildflowers, chasing the Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Train, and photographing the Milky Way.
And, their “travel bucket list” keeps growing! Last year, the Hendersons hiked 600 miles, and they want to hike further in 2026. “We hope to keep exploring as long as possible,” she said.
HER STORY:
I am a follower of Christ, a wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, a daughter, an aunt and a friend. My passions include being a nature photographer, a road tripper and hiker, a Route 66 fan, an old steam train chaser, and an IT person for the two men in my life (my husband and my dad). I am definitely type A.
Native of: Conway.
Children: One adult son, John Mark Henderson, and our daughter-in-law, Jenni Henderson.
Education: I hold a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Central Arkansas.
Career: For 37 years, I was a registered nurse at the Conway Human Development Center.
Honors: My photography and writing have been featured in several travel magazines, including 501 LIFE magazine. My work has been a part of several calendars and advertisements for hotels and tourism in Arkansas. I have had a camera in my hands since I was 16.
Hobbies: I love to hike, ride bikes and cook. I am a member of Antioch Baptist Church and a part of the event-planning committee for the 55+ ministry. I am also a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Conway Regional Medical Center.
Best Place for photos: Petit Jean State Park is perfect for a nature photographer. It has waterfalls, mountain vistas, sunrise and sunset spots, old rock buildings, fall colors and spring dogwood trees.
HIS STORY:
I am easy-going and a fixer of all things broken. We have rental property and we also help take care of my mother’s home. I tell people Linda is management and I am maintenance.
Native of: Arkadelphia
Education: Bachelor of Education from the University of Central Arkansas.
Career: I was the owner and CEO of JMH Construction.
Honors: Making it alive to retirement.
Special interests: I like hunting, old Jeeps, hiking and spending time outdoors. I am also a member of Antioch Baptist Church and the bus driver for the 55+ ministry.
What’s best about the 501? It is home, and that means being close to family and friends.
