Aux Arc venant de Farmer ville’

In English, that means that the Aux Arc is coming to Farmerville.

It is coming right up the road to the Lake D’Arbonne State Park Oct. 18 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Oct. 19 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Aux Arc is a replica of an early 1800’s expedition boat by the same name used to survey the Ouachita River area of the Louisiana Purchase, mostly Arkansas and Louisiana.

While President Thomas Jefferson was sending Lewis and Clark to the northern regions of the Purchase between 1804-1807, he sent the William Dunbar – Dr. George Hunter Expedition to the southern end of the area to explore “the Washita River and the hot springs”.

So much for history. Here’s about the NOW:  The Boat will be a special treat for those who get to go to the Park and see it. There will even be a chance for small groups to tour. For reservations for a 30-minute slot, call 368-9226. The replica was built by the Early Arkansaw Reenactors Association in 2004 to replicate the downstream travels of the original boat, which included trips down the Ouachita, Black and Mississippi Rivers to the hot spring we now know as Hot Springs, AR. Thanks to Jon Witherington and others at the park for making this grand event possible.

I don’t think you’ll get a chance to fish off the boat, but if you are a history buff, it’s a great opportunity for some hands-on happiness!