Eureka Springs

Planning a trip to Eureka is even more fun when everything is open! I spent so much time planning it out and seeing what was around that we could do in the few days we were going to be there. I don't like to over plan to the point that you are on a dead line, but more like hey this is happening at this time and then this is over here like four hours latter! Allowing for maximum fun!!

We jumped into the car and headed out early. Its only about a 3 hour drive for us be we wanted to be able to spend most the day there. We totally forgot about the toll road splitting off, you think we would remember!! Stopped outside of Rogers for something to eat and got into Eureka around 8 am!

Day 1

Our first stop was at the Cosmic Cavern (to early to find a hotel just yet.) This place is AMAZING!!!! They take you on an underground walking tour of the cave, if you ever have the opertunity to do something like this, always do it!!

This is the map of what they have descoverd so far

On our tour

There was a spot were everyone was able to touch.... its the only spot too!!! The reason for it is because the oil from our skin stops the rocks from growing or forming. They are trying to preserve it, the best way they can!

There was a small cavern we could go into, only a few at a time, and inside they had what they called the Santa Clause!

After leaving the caverns we went to find a place to stay for the next few days. We found a really nice place with a pool that the boys loved! The Lodge!

We grabbed a bite to eat and headed over to the Christ of the Ozark

And of course had to head over to the Crescent Hotel

For the rest of they day we just kinda walked around and chilled out at the pool. We also had an early fathers day for Shawn too!!

Day 2

First stop is the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway for a train ride! This is about a 45 min train ride with guide. We got there a little early, ok fine we got there like 20 min early because Amber is always early. This gave us time to look around at all the trains and old parts.

We loaded up on the train, it took us about 15 min down the track.

We stopped and everyone got off, and the train went down a little ways and turned around. The conductor gave everyone pennies and had us spit on one side and place them on the track. The train then ran over and flattened them.

We all got back on and went back to the station.

We went back to the hotel and got the trolley tickets to take us downtown. Best part is its an all day pass and it can pick up and drop off back at our hotel! Because you have to ride the trolley!!!

We got off at the first stop downtown so we could walk around.

We found several cool shops to check out. Walking up one side and then down the other. The last place we walked into was a jewelry shop. I ended up finding a really amazing ring that I wanted to get Shawn but didn't want him to know about, so as we walked out William (the oldest) said he needed to use the restroom and ran back in to get the ring for me. After he came back out we got back on the trolley, took the tour of downtown and were dropped off at the hotel.

We went out to go find a place to eat and came across a cemetery. Now I'm not crazy about going into them but Shawn like to see the old tombstones and take photos of them. Eureka being the place of healing waters the cemetery is no deferent. Like I said I'm not crazy about them and this one was no different.

After leaving the cemetery, we found a bite to eat.

We decided to head back to the hotel to realax and swim in the pool.

While letting the food settle, watching some TV, and the kiddos jumping from bed to bed waiting to go swimming. Shawn asked me to be his wife!!!! I was so excited and couldn't believe it. He gave me the ring he just bought from the same place I got his. I ran to my bag and pulled out his ring. He was shocked and excited at the same time!! We told the kids and they started jumping all over the place and both wanted to see the ring that Shawn got me!

How do you top that right!!!

Whelp... while swimming in the pool Brandon (the younger one) learned how to swim!! He would jump in and swim half way to me or Shawn, then got to the point where he would swim all the way to the other side. He was so proud of himself and we where of him!!

Good end to an AMAZING day!!

Day 3

Last day for this trip. Its now time to pack the bags and find out what we wanted to do for the day. We found a place to eat and went back downtown to see some of the shops we had missed the day before.

We had planned on going to see the glass church that's up there but on that day it was closed for a wedding or something, and wouldn't be open again for several hours. So we stopped in a little café to see what else was around and we found some information on Blue Springs and Natural Rock. Hey why not. They are both on the way out!

Pivot Rock was the first stop. Its a little out of the way and down a crazy windy dirt road that about half way down you ask yourself have you missed a turn or something, and you see a sign that says this way to natural rock. When you get there it looks like a little cabin out in the middle of no where, your there. There is trail you walk down and it leads you through the woods and up to the top of the mountain. Very beautiful area and totally worth the crazy drive!

After taking the nice hike we wanted to check out the little shop

Dragons are always cool!!

From here we went over to Blue Springs.

Because of all the rain that the area had received in weeks past. Part of this area was not open but you would still go down and see the springs. Yes they are naturally that blue!!