The first diamond was found in 1906 and the state made the land a park in 1972. Since then, 25,000 diamonds have been found.

Camp at the park in one of 59 sites with water and electricity, or book a few nights at nearby Timber Lodge Ranch.

Personality is what you’ll find in this year-old, family-run operation. People and animals. Living and stuffed.

Scott and Corey Thomason set the friendly tone; seems they both love to hunt, hence the bear, mountain lion, wolverine, deer and elk trophies on the walls and poised as if to run in the main room.

Stories go with these, and she’s the one to talk to about bears.

“Hunted one on my honeymoon,” Corey says. “Would have got it except my guide was lazy.”

She’s sensitive to other honeymoon desires too and happily removes the prey for wedding receptions, if asked.

Live animals extend the Timber Lodge Ranch experiences; I might have expected the sheep, goats, donkeys and even the albino peacock, but this place has zebra and buffalo too.

Pretty sure I never slept near zebra before.

Everything is fresh, clean, new—and reflecting the enthusiasm of this family, which includes three young daughters, grandparents and assorted aunts.

They used to be in the timber business; now they say they’re in the business of sharing what they like with visitors.

Even have a chapel that seats 150.

Choosing a holiday here gives what travel trend researchers report most people are seeking: an authentic place offering personal experiences, reflecting the nature of a place.

Arkansas is also about Hot Springs and Little Rock, interesting cities within an easy two-hour drive of Timber Lodge Ranch, but a couple of days with a real family, doing something they think has value — and is fun for them — is a completely different kind of holiday.

Hiking the foothills of the Ouichita Mountains suits me; traveling partner G.W. Tibbetts drove an ATV on a guided tour with Scott, on trails through the 800 acres and along the banks of the 40-acre lake.