SAS to CHI

Arkansas is called The Natural State due to its abundant natural resources and beauty, but the state has long had much more going for it than just the land. The citizens of Arkansas have shown remarkable bravery in supporting causes important to them, even when this meant dispute, war and death.

Arkansas is called The Natural State due to its abundant natural resources and beauty, but the state has long had much more going for it than just the land. The citizens of Arkansas have shown remarkable bravery in supporting causes important to them, even when this meant dispute, war and death.

Visitors to the Ozarks enjoy trails through beautiful wooded hills and valleys, paddling and fishing in two of America's clearest spring-fed rivers and exploring historic stone buildings. Yet in 1930, this area was a deforested wasteland with rapid erosion washing away the fertile soil and polluting the rivers.

Visitors to the Ozarks enjoy trails through beautiful wooded hills and valleys, paddling and fishing in two of America's clearest spring-fed rivers and exploring historic stone buildings. Yet in 1930, this area was a deforested wasteland with rapid erosion washing away the fertile soil and polluting the rivers.

Nearly one fifth of the Cherokee population lost their lives along the one-thousand-mile long Trail of Tears. As you ride through southeastern Missouri, passing through country which the Native Americans traveled on foot, imagine the scene in May of 1838 through the eyes of John Ross, Chief of the Cherokee tribe.

Nearly one fifth of the Cherokee population lost their lives along the one-thousand-mile long Trail of Tears. As you ride through southeastern Missouri, passing through country which the Native Americans traveled on foot, imagine the scene in May of 1838 through the eyes of John Ross, Chief of the Cherokee tribe.

The first Europeans to tour the territory that would become Missouri found vast herds of elk and buffalo, and a forest that covered 70 percent of the area. Settlers arrived by the rivers, and cut wood for houses, fuel, and to sell. Timber was cut and floated downstream to mills in larger settlements, where it was used for lumber or as cordwood to fuel the boilers of steam-powered riverboats.

The first Europeans to tour the territory that would become Missouri found vast herds of elk and buffalo, and a forest that covered 70 percent of the area. Settlers arrived by the rivers, and cut wood for houses, fuel, and to sell. Timber was cut and floated downstream to mills in larger settlements, where it was used for lumber or as cordwood to fuel the boilers of steam-powered riverboats.

The city of Poplar Bluff, Missouri was named for its beautiful trees, and owes much of its early success to timber. If the train passes through southeast Missouri during daylight hours, you'll be able to see the Black River below the scenic bluff on which the city is situated.

The city of Poplar Bluff, Missouri was named for its beautiful trees, and owes much of its early success to timber. If the train passes through southeast Missouri during daylight hours, you'll be able to see the Black River below the scenic bluff on which the city is situated.