We usually try to use the weekends to explore the area so we set our sights on Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This was recommended by a couple people at the ranch as an interesting, artsy, historical town. It’s less than an hour’s drive away.
One cinnamon roll was $8.50 but I soon understood why. It was the size of a dinner plate, probably the largest cinnamon roll I have ever seen. It will probably serve as an afternoon snack for the next three days.
We left with the cinnamon roll and a Thunder Muffin, another caloric delectable that just had to come with us.
Eureka Springs is a Victorian-era mountain town nestled in the Ozark Mountains just south of the Missouri border. Originally founded around natural springs believed to have healing powers, the town flourished in the late 19th century as a resort destination. It is known for its winding, hilly streets lined with well-preserved Victorian architecture, lots of boutique shops and art galleries, and the beauty of the Ozarks all around.
Because of the steepness and narrowness of most of the streets, there’s very little place to park an RV. We did find adequate parking at one of the trolley stations and just bought a day pass on the trolleys. Let someone else do the driving for once.
We took in as much as time (and the trolley schedule) would allow. First stop was the Thorncrown Chapel. This was designed by a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright, and there were definitely some Wright-esque elements in this building.
We even found a spring. Just a little burble of water, enough to keep the flowers watered.
On our walk, we found what is reported to be the first neon sign west of the Mississippi. I wish they would have had it turned on.
We took the Red trolley to the upper part of town, past all the cool old homes and to the Crescent Hotel, situated at probably the highest point of the town. As with many iconic landmarks like this, it has a storied history, which includes use as an all-girls college and a cancer clinic in addition to a high-end hotel. Fire gutted the fourth floor in 1967. During its renovation in 1972, reports of supernatural occurrences surfaced, giving it the reputation for being haunted.
We lounged about the lobby for a while, admiring their one-of-a-kind automatic pipe organ. The view from the back patio was amazing. From the patio, we could see a few guys in tuxedos on the balcony. We visited the Catholic Church across the street but they were about to close to the public for a wedding. I’m sure it’s a lovely place for a wedding, but the wedding party and the guests are going home with sore legs. They are on the fourth floor and the elevator is out of order. Plus, it’s a few dozen steps from the hotel to the church.
Getting later in the day so we took off out of town, stopping at Inspiration point on the way. Inspiration point is a high point that overlooks the White river and the valleys around it. Nice view but the better view is from a little higher up, drone-style.
We arrived at our boondocking site right around dinner time. The owner here keeps rescue dogs and we arrived to a chorus of barking. She said only one of the Rottweilers was a little mean, the noisy one was much friendlier. She also had a Doberman. She told us the dogs would be inside overnight and, indeed, all was quiet when we returned from a walk. We can still hear a lot of the neighbors’ dogs, though.
We took a walk to the “Little Golden Gate Bridge”. This was one of the ways to get here, but it warned of a maximum height of 11 feet, six inches. With our kayaks on the back, we are at 11’ 8”. So we had to take the long way around. It’s a cool bridge and is a favorite for motorcycle trips. Just don’t attempt it in an RV larger than a campervan.
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