Carroll County News: Local News: A hot, dry Fourth of July (07/09/12)

Not everybody had the day off besides news photographers. Rob Brock spent his first Fourth of July as owner of Kings River Adventure, formerly Kings River Outfitters. He made sure others could enjoy their time on the Kings River. "We also been shuttling a lot of canoes to the White River," Brock said.

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It was a much calmer Fourth of July on Wednesday as there seemed to be more emphasis on staying cool than on shooting off fireworks. Phillip Duffey lives adjacent to a popular fireworks-shooting location, along the Kings River by the U.S. Highway 62 bridge between Berryville and Eureka Springs. "It was pretty quiet last night," Duffey said. "I only heard five or six pops all night."

All across the county, casual observation would prove that most celebrants took to heart the need to save fireworks for a more suitable -- that is wetter -- day.

But in spite of the triple-digit temperatures on the Fourth folks still celebrated with many taking to the Ozarks' fantastic waters to enjoy a cool holiday.

Some Ozarks' visitors beat the heat by keeping in motion, in this case by a rider cruising U.S. 62 on his Harley-Davidson.

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Another person who worked on the Fourth was Jim Butler of C & J Sports. "On a busy weekend I can fill 500 cylinders for divers," he said.

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Walt Brady, of Bentonville, cooled off at the Dam Site, along the cliffs.

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Jazze Reister came from Kansas to spend the Fourth on the Kings River, even though they were confined to the pool above Trigger Gap.

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Paline Ficheux and Able Tomlinson journeyed from Fayetteville to seek relief from the heat on the cool tailwaters of the White River below Beaver Dam.

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