Around LaRue

LaRue is a tiny community in Benton County. Presumably named for L. LaRue Harrison , a Union officer who lived in Northwest Arkansas and surveyed the town of Harrison. La Rue, cut off from any possible commerce by the flooding of Beaver Lake in the 60's serves only as a distant reminder to days gone past and a long distance race at the sailing club.

Friday was the perfect spring day. With temps approaching 80 degrees and a south west wind around 20 miles per hour. I was invited to crew aboard Valkyrie an O'day 32 for the "Around LaRue Race". Valkyrie is stout sailboat the seems to love the wind, certainly much more than our beloved Bella Luna who is tender and prefers days under 20 mph. Valkyrie seemed to enjoy the day.

We departed the sailing club around 11:00 am and motored to the highway 12 bridge near Rogers, Arkansas. Hoisted the sails and headed back "around LaRue and towards Beaver Dam. Then, we headed into the wind and headed for home! The entire trip took about 8 hours total on the lake. Valkyrie and her crew finished in 5 hours and 30 minutes. Posting the new time to beat for the 2009 and sailing season.

Snow and the Sea

The experts predicted only a 30% chance of snow for the last day in February. The snow started around 2 in the morning and was like fairy snow, small flakes that seemed to dance in the air. There was a short respite as the sun came up but the snow persisted as the day wore on.

At our last event at the Walton Arts Center, Michael picked up tickets to see the Naval Sea Chanters. The Chanters are the chorus of the US Navy's Band. Composed of 8 men and 8 women, they gave a stirring performance. The afternoon's offerings ranged from Shenandoah to a tribute to all the branched of the Armed Forces to a medley of 1960's top forty hits. Everyone stood and cheered and sang along under their breath. What an afternoon.

The show finished and we walked outside to snow. Larger flakes now that seemed determined to cover the roads and ground. We slid a little on the way home with our 30% chance of snow.