Autumn in Western Arkansas is absolutely beautiful. I sort of look forward to it every year. I love the beautiful fall colors, but I really dislike cold weather.
Gina and I and our friend Deanna took a trip to Eureka Springs this weekend. I love Eureka Springs and we try to visit there a couple of times a year, but this time of year, the journey is as interesting as the destination. On the way up to Eureka Springs, we traveled on Hwy 23. The most beautiful part of Hwy 23 is called the Pig Trail. The Pig Trail is a very popular drive in the fall, especially with motorcyclists.
THE MINI IS A LOT OF FUN ON THE PIG TRAIL
When we arrived in Eureka Springs, we had quite a time finding a place to stay. There were very few vacancies. You couldn't tell that the economy is bad, it seemed like everybody was there. Our favorite place to eat in Eureka is the Mud Street Cafe. While we were eating breakfast there, we talked with the host and he told us that they had set a record for the most customers ever the day before.
BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN EUREKA SPRINGS
COLORFUL TREES IN BASIN SPRING PARK
We had a very relaxing time while we were there. We didn't really do anything. Well we did eat and do a bit of shopping, but mostly we drove or walked around this charming quaint little town. There is a lot to do in Eureka Springs, but we were just in the mood to chill out. The beauty of the fall colors was really the focus of the trip.
CYCLE PARKED ON A COLORFUL EUREKA STREET
On the way home we decided to travel a different route. It had been over ten years since we had traveled Hwy 71 between Fayetteville and Alma. Interstate 540 travels the same route and was opened in 1998. We had not traveled Hwy 71 over the Boston Mountains since the interstate opened. U.S. 71 snakes its way through the Boston Mountains beginning in Alma at the edge of the Arkansas River Valley and extending 42 miles across the Ozark Mountains to Fayetteville. The Ozark Mountains are made up of three eroded plateau surfaces with the Boston Mountain range being the highest. There is an amazing vista at Artist Point.
VIEW FROM ARTIST POINT
ANOTHER VIEW SHOWING LAKE SHEPHERD SPRINGS
A short distance from Artist Point is Lake Fort Smith State Park. We drove down to the lake to check it out. We had never been there before. The state park had closed in 2002, and had just reopened in May of this year. It was really nice, with a big new visitors center that is really kid friendly. We would love to bring our grandkids here someday.
CHECKING OUT LAKE FORT SMITH STATE PARK
Along with the wonderful scenic beauty that we saw, the weekend was filled with great food and great friends. Also notable was filling up the Mini with 2.17 gas. Two months ago, right before Hurricane Ike, gas was 3.99 in Mena. I hope to have time to take some pictures around town this week. The fall colors are very nice right here in Mena, but that's a blog for another day.
Posts
Your mini is the cutest little thing! Your pictures take my breath away! Wow! I love your appreciation for nature's beauty.
ReplyDeleteI love those colors and also the pictures with your nice Mini AND the motorcycle! Great shots.
ReplyDeleteRichard, I lost somehow you last comment to my today's post....
Susanne http://sues-daily-photos.blogspot.com
Arkansas is lovely in her fall colors. Wow, the Ozarks! Imagine, I lived 6 years near Perryville and never got to go see the Ozarks.
ReplyDeleteHope someday you can see Jerusalem.
Your car is cute. And in Israeli national colors. hehe
Lovely photos, Richard, and interesting narrative! I've travelled on the "Pig Trail" several times, never (unfortunately) in the fall. Your post makes me long to get in the car and take a trip, but this year I'll have to be content to see what I can see in the local vicinity.
ReplyDeleteyou have the most incredible colours in fall - our trees are mainly evergreens, so we dont see this artistic washout of colours in our forests - i love the stonework in the eureka springs area too
ReplyDeleteYou Arkies sure do get around! Don't you ever stay at home? (Just kiddin'). Lovely scenery... you must not have had much rain there this fall. Did you happen to have any homemade bread at the cafe? Bet it was dee-licious. ;)
ReplyDeleteHey There!
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog by way of "Life With Kaishon". When I saw the word 'Arkie' in your blog title, I knew you must be from Arkansas!
I grew up in the Hot Springs Village area and moved away after college. I always enjoy going "home", again. To me, there's no place quite like it.
I enjoyed your beautiful photos. Makes me really miss Arkansas now!
Love all the fall colors!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo's.
Take care
So seriously beautiful! I just love the leaves! I also love your car! It is HOT : ).
ReplyDeleteFantastic autumn pics, and the mini is a great added touch. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Regina In Pictures
Great photos! (At least, the ones that have downloaded.)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've been a busy beaver over here. Have you heard of NaBloPoMo? You might want to join in that fun, since you post pretty much every day, anyway! (I did it last year--when it was still only for the month of November. Now they do it every month. It was a good stretch.)
Love all the autumn colours, And I especially love the Mini, FT was soooo lucky to ride in it
ReplyDelete