25 May 2010 Greers Ferry shows off state’s beauty

My friends and I knew nothing of this history the first time we considered a trip to Greers Ferry. Midway through summer vacation and totally broke from a student’s budget, we were desperate for a cheap and easy escape route from Conway and the Southern heat. We had heard of Heber Springs for years, but only had recently been told of the cliffs that exist in one of the parks that folks could jump off of. I had never considered the thrill of cliff diving, but with nothing to do and nothing to lose, we all packed up our bags and trekked toward the watering hole.

As we turned onto Heber Springs Road, the scenery instantly changed from low grassy fields to towering slabs of rock trimmed in trees and patches of wild flowers. Like wide-eyed children hoping to spot the gates of a theme park, we scouted the winding road for the turn-off to Dam Site Park. Finding it, we were stopped by a gate attached to a small hut. A worker poked her head out and requested $4 for parking. We all lost our breath for a moment, our empty pockets suddenly feeling heavy. But we scrambled to count up dimes under seat cushions and quarters stuck to an over-heated dashboard.

Paid dues and a parked car later, we were wowed by the natural beauty that encircled us. Our mouths gaped as our feet followed dozens of others toward the water’s edge. Opening up before us was just a small portion of the 40,000 acres that Greers Ferry Lake boasts.

Kids ran through miniature playgrounds while parents sunbathed; families shared lunch on picnic tables and ate tailgate snacks. Fisherman moved through some coves, swimmers in others – everybody cohabitated with ease. Just outside the boats’ wake shot ski boats, while party barges lazed down the current, some waving to neighboring captains and families.

Laughter and chatter welcomed us while the sounds of splashing and squeak-squeaking of wet flip-flops reminded us why we were here. We observed some of the daredevil divers, hoping to gain some of their nerve to take the plunge. I caught the free-fall fever and confronted the glassy aqua. Signs around the park warned of no lifeguards and underwater rocks, shallow areas and potential risks, but we didn’t come out here for nothing. So I took a deep breath of humid heat . . . and jumped.

Sensations of fear, uncertainty and pure thrill filled my chest, and I thought I would burst into flight before reaching the water. Fish tickled my toes as I swam to the surface, and applause and cheers from my friends and other visitors greeted me while I gasped for air. New friends helped me climb over slick, mossy stones back to solid ground, and all I could do was laugh in between quick huffs of air. I had to do it again.

We all took turns jumping, screaming, splashing and gasping air back to reality. The warm sun baked our bodies back to life as we lay on the smooth stones, leaving us sun bleached by the end of the day.

My friends and I are already planning a return trip. Bennie Rorie, a worker for Greers Ferry since 1993, told me current repair projects are in the works, thanks to recent federal funding. Heber Springs and the lake have coped with the damage from heavy flooding over the past two years, but Harper assured me the parks and camps, including Dam Site Park, are still as stunning as ever.

The gates for all parks officially opened April 1, but are available to the public year-round. From Memorial Day to Labor Day is their busiest time on the calendar, Rorie says, and last year’s visitor count reached more than 7 million – a lot of action for a once-local swimming hole. One visit, though, makes clear why Dam Site Park is so popular – it’s a place where Southern hospitality meets outdoor bliss.