Eureka Springs (Spring Break)
Needing a quick vacation. Some place put of state. Off to one of our favorite palaces!! Planning on school spring break, and because of work scheduled, had to get crafty with the days we had everyone off. It actually all worked out really good too!
There were a few places we knew we wanted to do again but also, what haven't we done before? We found a few lakes with trails that looked good, and a cave we haven't been to all together.
Day 1
March 15th
Up and out the door at 7 am. Remembered the toll road, now $3.00 good gravy. Brandon was awake as we crossed the state line and started laughing because you can feel the difference in the road from Oklahoma to... well... any state! He couldn't get over how much of a difference there was!
We decided to go up through the mountain. So we turned to go through Rogers. Bad idea this time, construction city! Nothing like going 70 to 30, from a 2 lain to 1, and watching a semi truck 5 cars in front slam on the breaks and move to what little a shoulder there was. That was enough to get anyone's heart racing!
We made our way through Rogers over to Garfield and stopped at Sonic to grab a bite to eat. Then back on the road!
As we get closer to Eureka, our first stop is going to be the Onyx Cave, we (me it was me, I had the map, thus said what road we took) decided to take a more northern rout over to Beavers lake to the cave, other than through Eureka itself. WOW!! As we get to the lake there is this really old, amazing, scary, one car only bridge. This was the coolest thing ever, and there was fog everywhere which made it even more interesting to look at. We cross over it, and make our way to the cave.
As we get closer and up some really steep hills, we are in the mountains after all! We make it to the cave!
Parking is small, there are two building. One on top and one down this hill a little. Fallow the steep incline walkway down to the second building.
This is a self guided "30" minute tour. They have headsets for everyone, and about 9 green buttons that you push (Jacobs job) so you can hear about different spots around the cave. Its a one way in, same way out. There are 14 steps down into the cave (they tell you before heading down, no I didn't count.)
After the cave we were ready to head into Eureka. On the way we were going to pass the Christ of the Ozark, good time to stop. Even stopped at the Berlin wall too. Now at this point its only like 36° and the wind is blowing like crazy, we were not prepare for this cold of weather!
At this point we are ready for lunch. We headed over to the hotel to get checked in, head up to the room and have some lunch, and warm up some.
After lunch we headed over to the Crescent hotel and the Church.
On our way back down into the town, we stopped at a few little spots that had some hidden gems.
We then headed over to Black Bass Lake to check our there trails. We get down there and this place is nuts. Trails look awesome but they were not made for little ones! We opted out of them this time!!
We go to see if we can look at the train yard so Jacob can go see them, however they were closed so we couldn't see any of them.
As we headed back into town we passed this Art deco thing. It was totally cool and worth the stop. They even had some music instruments that you could play on!
Now its time for some dinner and its early enough we are before the dinner rush. We passed by this place earlier and it sounded really good.
Fun part is trying to find a place to park. We didn't want to pay the $5 parking because we weren't going to be there for very long. There is a place as you head down the mountain before you get into the downtown area that can fit about 5-6 cars and there was a spot big enough for our car! Only thing is its on the other side of the road.... so, in a way only Shawn himself could pull off, he turned into the spot in a 2 point turn. Blocking both lanes of traffic for only a few seconds. But hey we got the spot!!
Unloaded and walked down to Amigos for dinner. It was only us and one other family! The food was AMAZING!!! We all ate everything and there was nothing left!
After dinner we walked around the lower part of downtown. We went into just a few shops as most everything was in the process of closing up for the night.
Of course we had to stop at the GIANT rocking chair!!
After the long day of travel and cold weather we were ready to head back to hotel for the night.
A few hour latter, after everyone was ready for bed, Jacob decided that he was done hanging out in one room and wanted to go for a drive and was not taking no for an answer. So for a drive we went. We headed over to the Christ of the Ozarks. This is really kind of a amazing at night, if I do say myself! Pore little guy was out not even 5 minutes into the drive!
Now other than baby boy wakening up ready to play at 1 am and a random alarm from someones phone going off at 2 am (they know who they are and we shall leave it at that) it was a good nights sleep!
Day 2
March 16th
We had our complementary continental breakfast at the hotel. Packed our snacks up and headed over to Leatherwood Lake! It was so much warmer too!
If you are looking for a good place to hike with and assortment of trails/tarain/attractions this is the place to go!
We kinda made our own path of things we wanted to see (like the point, the dam, and the look out) and after a 5 mile hike we were pretty warn out, but wanted to check out the miners rock and sink holes.
Just a short jont up a hill and we found it. Miners rock is very cool and was totally worth it. The sink holes were also cool but by this point we were tired and hungry. As we made our way down Jacob fell asleep (and when nape time calls you answer) We didn't think the hike was that far and didn't bring the career. That was a long walk down hill caring a sleeping 30+ lb baby boy. Note to self, always bring career, always!
We headed back to the hotel for lunch and to finish off nape time!
Off to the Thorncrown Chapel! They were open this time woho! I was so happy to finally get to see it!
We went downtown (parked in our same spot form the night before without having to block everyone this time) and were able to see all the shops. Up on one side and down the other and stopped at a little coffee shop for a snack/coffee/ice cream. Finished walking around and made our way back to the car.
We wanted to check out the bridge over at Beaver Lake before the sun went down. This thing is awesome looking!
After all the walking around we did, we were all ready to call it a day. Picked up some pizza and headed back to the hotel. No one wanted to get out after dinner, we were all ready for bed this night!
No alarms went off at 2 am, thank goodness!! However at about 5 am I did wake up and couldn't breath, the mountain air and cold wind from the day before got to me! So I spent about 45 minutes in the bathroom with e shower running to stem up the place. It worked and back to bed for me!!
Day 3
March 17th
We got everything packed up and loaded into the car. Went next door to where they had a sign for the breakfast buffet, but they where shut down. So we went over to granny's place! Always a good place to eat!
Over to Blue Springs. Now last time we were here they were flooded. This time they were cleaning it out, so the water was almost drained out. Go figure, next time we shall call ahead! We will see this place in all its glory someday! Still very pretty and a nice place to walk around!
Last stop Pivot Rock! Road was paved all the way up to the parking lot! We thought we missed a turn, nope!
We were still tired from the day before and with myself felling all stuffed up, was not up for the full hike around the mountain, but it was still nice to check it all out!
Time to head home! With all the crazy mountain driving. Hwy 23 out of town was looking like a better idea. So we went back through town. To hwy 23.
Shawn stopped at a little boutique shop where we found some totally awesome zombie knobs that he said I had to have. I knew i loved this man!!
From hear we headed home!
Ok now i grew up in the mountains and love to drive in them any chance I can, but this was a nice way out of Eureka! Instead of through the mountain, you just take it down. Very nice, beautiful scenery along the way too!
We stopped in Springdale to grab a bite to eat. Then headed back on the road.
When we crossed back into Oklahoma Brandon started laughing again. He asked if we were back in Oklahoma because the road changed, yup kido you got it!!
Smooth sailing all the way home! It was a good trip even though I got hit with a head cold afterword. We have found some other favorite spots that need to be exported more and added to our must do list on the next visit
Travel on!!
Information for your own travels!!!
