Thanks for all the tips, guys. Right now i'm looking at either the Butterfield Loop, or the Shores Lake Loop in western Arkansas. I live in Oklahoma, so was looking for something close to here, and I've heard water along the Ouchita dries up around may, which is when we'll be heading out. Both of these trails in Arkansas seem pretty well off as far as water year round, and both look like something that's doable.

As far as time, I figured we'd end up being pretty slow with everything first time around, so I planned in quite a bit of extra time. The ranger said people hike Butterfield in a day, but it makes a great overnight. I was planning on camping out there two nights, so the 15 mile hike would be split between 3 days. Should give plenty of time for just relaxing and enjoying ourselves, and cut out the rush. And if anything goes seriously wrong, we wouldn't be fifty miles from civilization.

I've always been outdoors inclined, but I guess I have kind of a "rules" oriented mindset. I've always camped in set, designated campgrounds, so the thought of just being able to say "Hey, that spot looks great!: and setting up is foreign to me. I'm really looking forward to it, though. Much as I like car camping, i've always wished there weren't fifty other campers a dozen yards from me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />