The past few years, Hubby Tony and I have used our vacation trips to visit our children and grandchildren. A couple of weeks ago we decided it was time to branch out, did some research, and scheduled a week in Arkansas. just for us.
We took the quick way there, using Interstate 44 to drive southwest across the state to Springfield, and then south. In Sringfield we stopped for lunch at Casper's, which claims to be the oldest diner in the city. It's a dive in a good way. Located inside a quanset hut, the interior walls and domed ceiling are covered with a mixture of old posters, photos, and artwork. The food was fresh, fast, good, and cheap.
After a short walk through downtown Springfield and a quick trip into Bass Pro Shop (which was too crowded, and had too few masked people) we moved on to our first stop, Eureka Springs. If we had driven straight through it would have taken about five hours.
I had been in Eureka Springs with a friend years ago, but this was Tony's first time. The entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The streets are built into the hilly terrain and wind up and down the hills. The buildings are a funky mix of architecture styles. Every shop in the city is independently owned. There are no streets that intersect at right angles. There are no traffic lights.
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Tony and I stayed in the Grand Central Hotel, one of the original hotels in the area, and could walk just about everywhere in the downtown area. Every room in the hotel is different. Ours had a living room, a bedroom with a king sized bed, and a bathroom with a two-person Jacuzzi tub. The furnishings were all Victorian appropriate.
Our three days were a whirlwind of activity. Sunday morning we went to mass at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, where you enter the grounds through the belltower. We bought passes for the trolley system, rode each of the three loops to orient ourselves to the city, then used it to get back to some things that were too far to walk to. We visited the Christ of the Ozarks statue, a white, 65-foot tall modernist statue of Jesus.
We visited Thorncrown Chapel, made mostly out of glass, with a stunning view of the forest outside.
And we ate! We visited a biker bar that offered Waygu beef burgers and beautifully composed, tasty salads. There was local food, Creole, sandwiches, and Thai. Desserts and snacks multiple times a day.
Finally, Tuesday morning we packed our bags and left Eureka Springs, ready for the next part of the adventure.
Five years ago today: Scrub Away
This vacation has so much potential to be fun packed.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's fun to just take an adults trip. You're brave eating at Casper's, from the looks of it, I'd expect it to be staffed by ghosts.
ReplyDeleteIf I hadn't read so many positive reviews of the restaurant I its appearance would have turned me off.
DeleteOh wow! This looks like so much fun. I can't wait for the time we can travel too.
ReplyDeleteI wandered around Eureka Springs on Google street view. Parking seems to be a BIG problem.
ReplyDeleteWe were able to park right next to the hotel, and there was no reason to use a car in the downtown area. There were also quite a few reasonably priced parking lots.
DeleteGood for you guys, sounds fun so far.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of such an interesting place. That sounds so interesting and out of the ordinary and fun!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a fun restaurant. Bon appetit!
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Funny you should mention Arkansas. My husband asked yesterday if I wanted to take a trip and I couldn't think of a thing. This morning I thought about fall colors and googled the best places for fall colors. Arkansas is on the list, and it isn't so far from us! As soon as he was out of bed I told him I wanted to go to Arkansas in late October; he's in. We rode our motorcycle down there several times when we had it. Anyway, now I know where we'll stop on the way down and eat at Casper's.
ReplyDeleteThe Arkansas hills would be fantastic in the fall! There were a lot of bikers riding around; someone told us that the winding roads are popular with them.
DeleteYes, and near Marble Falls there was a very old motel that used to be part of Dogpatch, a theme park that's been closed for a long time. They cater to bikers. We went there several times, then rode along State Highway 7 and enjoyed the curves. We were usually the only ones riding a Gold Wing in a sea of Harley riders, but we march to our own drummer.
DeleteIn a quonset hut! What a hoot.
ReplyDeleteA lovely trip. That other building is quite the thing.
My wife and I have been to Eureka Springs a couple of times. Great place to visit and spend a day or two!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteIt looks like a charming place with great attractions! I suppose it also has springs in the area, hence the name of Eureka Springs.
ReplyDeleteChoosing it for your trip was a successful decision!
Yes there are quite a few springs. Years ago people would go there to 'take the waters'.
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