Do more and see more of Arkansas in 2012

Looking for something to do New Year’s Day? Pinnacle Mountain State Park has three separate programs scheduled, something for every member of the family. Bundle up and plan on spending the whole day at the park. “Let’s Talk About Turtles” begins the day at 10 a.m. Learn the difference between a red-eared slider and a three-toed box turtle and what adaptations turtles have to make to survive in their environment. Discover more about them while viewing a live specimen. You can even make your own paper plate turtle to take home.

Knot-Tying Basics is at 1 p.m. in the park visitor center. Learn the basics of knot tying and the uses of these knots, which may come in handy in emergency situation.

The 3 p.m. session is “I Ate a Bug.” How would you feel about eating a bug? Have you ever eaten a bug before? You probably have eaten numerous bugs throughout your life and not realized it. Meet a park interpreter at the visitor center to sample a bug or two. Become a member of the "I Ate a Bug" club! Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located at 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road in Little Rock. All events are free. Phone 501-868-5806 for more details.

Ready to work off some of the holiday treats you’ve eaten? The New Year’s Day Bicycle Ride is Sunday, Jan.1. Meet at 2509 McCain Blvd. at North Hills Boulevard in North Little Rock. The ride is an annual 30-mile loop through eastern North Little Rock and into rural eastern Pulaski County. An optional lunch is served afterward. Visit www.arkansasbicycleclub.org or phone 501-912-1449 for additional details.

North Little Rock’s Laman Library hosts the Arkansas Arts Council's annual "Small Works on Paper" exhibition, Jan.2-29. The event showcases artwork no larger than 24 x 24 inches created by Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online art gallery coordinated by the Arts Council. Visit www.lamanlibrary.org or phone 501-758-1720 for more information.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park is giving you permission to get off the trails during Wednesday Walk-Abouts in Jan. 4, 11, 18, and 25. A park interpreter takes visitors on an off-trail adventure through forest and field to explore some of their favorite secluded spots. Wear sturdy shoes and natural colors of the forest for best results. These hikes tend to be moderately strenuous. Binoculars and bottled water are welcome and recommended. Meet at the park visitor center, 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road in west Little Rock. Phone 501-868-5806 for more information.

Take part in what has become a January tradition: Eagle Lake Cruises at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Saturdays in January, 7, 14, 21, and 28-29, visitors and park interpreters take a cruise on Lake Maumelle to seek wintering bald eagles and migratory waterfowl that are often spotted here. Dress in layers for extreme cold and windy lake weather. Advance payment of $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12 is required. Cruises depart from Jolly Roger’s Marina at 11800 Maumelle Harbour Road. Contact the park at 501-868-5806 for additional details.

If you’re a collector, you’ll have the opportunity to shop over 40,000-square-feet of inventory during the Antique Alley Arkansas Antique Show. Dates are Saturday, Jan. 21 and Sunday, Jan. 22 in Conway. Antique dealers from around the country sell such items as architectural salvage, Depression glass, antique and primitive furniture, estate jewelry, coins, antique silver, shabby chic décor, and much more. The sale takes place at 2505 E. Oak St. in Conway. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children age 12 and younger. Visit www.antiquealleyarkansas.com or phone 501-230-5728 for more information.

Billed as Arkansas’s largest outdoors show, the 22nd annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic is Jan. 27-29 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock. In addition to deer scoring and contests, there are hundreds of vendors, live animal displays, and children’s activities. Hours are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 ages 5-12, ages five and younger are free. Visit www.bigbuckclassic.com or call 501-985-1533 for more information.