27 April - Exploring Bull Shoals

Rain storms hit this morning about 3am but we had stowed most of the outside camping gear so other than drying some items out, there was no impact.  Today we visited the James A. Gaston Visitor Center at the Bull Shoals dam.

There was a 20 minute video that described the history of the area.  President Franklin Roosevelt authorized the construction of Bull Shoals Dam and six others on the White River as part of the Flood Control Act of 1938.  Construction started in 1947 and was completed in 1951.  The dam was dedicated by President Harry S. Truman.  The entire project was designed as flood control but the secondary benefits were recreation and tourism.  I did not realize how much of a trout fishing meca the White River is below the dam.

Here is a map that shows our campgrounds and the White River area:

Daughter Michelle, son-in-law Keith and I have scuba dived Bull Shoals lake before and I hoped to this trip, but that is not looking too good at this point since I am "buddy-less".  We are still working that piece,  After the Visitor Center we made our way down to the Marina to talk with the Diver Master about scuba possibilities but he was not there.  The locals were begging for food at the dock!!

Doreen has made it a priority that we visit many lighthouses on this trip, and sure enough we found one here at Bull Shoals!  It so happens to be at the resort we stayed at while scuba diving here a few years ago.

We toured around the area to include a nature preserve, and then relaxed at the campgrounds for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow retired Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant Russ Brotsky (Wichita Kansas) and his wife Roxie joins us here for some camping, fishing and good times!  We will also have lunch with retired Chief Master Sergeant Chuck Leonard from the 132d Logistics Readiness Squadron and his wife Sherri who retired to Mountain Home AR!  Will be great to see them!