Berrygnash Part 5–Onward to the Delta
Sunday, September 7th The War Eagle Mill
Sunday was a wonderful day of rest for this traveling band, though travel we did. Rising late, we ventured northward along the winding roads in the beautiful forest of Northwest Arkansas. I was introduced to the War Eagle Mill, a place familiar to Granny Lavender, her kin and creator.
After sharing meal in the Bean Palace Restaurant, my hosts carefully showed me the working water wheel of the grist mill and the interior workings as well.
At the War Eagle Mill
(There was some concern for my safety in posing for photographs…wise heads prevailed.) They were grinding cornmeal that afternoon. Such a racket the mill made, my pegs shook from the vibrations!
I finally agreed to pose in the old mill stone outside to record the visit for the Bonsai Hittys.
My travel hosts were misty-eyed. The lovely Hitty Tottie sat in this same spot many years ago when she came first to dwell with them and the memory of that adoption made their hearts tender with remembrance.
Monday, September 8th Towards Slither Acres
Acknowledging Hitty Nell as a bosom friend and champion explorer, I prepared, as my hosts did, for our soon-to-be leave-taking. I would miss my fellow cryptid-hunter and I would miss Granny Lavender as well – with her cozy cabin, its country comforts and intriguing guests. The siren song of the undiscovered played in my heart, however, the notes propelling me back onto the road.
Oddly, my travel hosts spoke in hushed tones, instead of with their usual exuberance. At the time, I took their apparent anxiousness for concern about another impending weather system poised to assault the good Hitty-folk along the Gulf. The words “water” and “waves” I often caught when they thought I was not listening. A good explorer is never inattentive, however.
The vehicle was packed, the Wiregrass Hitties, The Mad for the Farthing Crowd and visitors were seated in their traveling boxes, and we departed southwards toward the Delta and…Slither Acres.
The Berrygnash footprint cast turned out just as I hoped it would!! It was very heavy for a small wooden Hitty to handle, so my travel hosts graciously and carefully packed it up so it would survive the long journey home. Here is a photo of it in my Cryptid Museum:
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