Another busy day. Started out with our first rv problem. The step into the rv would not retract. Stopped at one place and the guy was very snotty. The next guy wanted to help but didn't know how. So we decided to keep on going.
Stopped at Pea Ridge National Park. Big Civil War battle here that had something to do with Missouri joining the Union. Couldn't quite figure it out and we didn't want to wait a 1/2 hour for he movie. Very well done however and it's a 7 mile ride around with stops to explain things. Apparently it was all about the road that ran through here. Elkhorn Tavern was a major stop on the road forever and then it served as hospital for north and south. It was also part of the trail of tears. A marker said the owner saw 11,000 Indians pass by the inn.
Then onto Eureka Springs. I cannot describe the 15 mph curves on very, very steep roads with our step hanging out no less. Immediately came upon a parking lot that was a trolley stop and parked there. Good decision. It is an extremely old town built on hills with steps for sidewalks. We just stayed on trolley and out of the crowds on the streets. Hundreds of shops. Went all the way to the top of the town to the Crescent Hotel. Used to be a sanatarium, school for girls, and then a hotel. Had lunch on the 4th floor balcony. Fabulous view and yummy crab cakes and bloody marys. See picture.
Then onto Eureka Springs. I cannot describe the 15 mph curves on very, very steep roads with our step hanging out no less. Immediately came upon a parking lot that was a trolley stop and parked there. Good decision. It is an extremely old town built on hills with steps for sidewalks. We just stayed on trolley and out of the crowds on the streets. Hundreds of shops. Went all the way to the top of the town to the Crescent Hotel. Used to be a sanatarium, school for girls, and then a hotel. Had lunch on the 4th floor balcony. Fabulous view and yummy crab cakes and bloody marys. See picture.
Then took the trolley out to the Thorncrown Chapel. I have seen it in magazines. All glass in the woods. Really beautiful. Guy who owned the property just had a notion that he needed to build it so that travelers could stop, rest, pray. A woman there who sings hymns. We didn't know what she was doing there -sitting and knitting- until this tour guide came in with two people who asked if they had a request. The guide, by the way was dressed in Victorian costume with big hat, etc. How she drives I don't know. Any way the knitting lady gets up and sings this beautiful acapella solo hymn. See pictures. I didn't get pictures of downtown Eureka with all the stores because I had a bad seat on the trolley. Seemed like potential for some nice stuff but just not up for shopping on those hills.
On the edge of town there are a lot of 1950s type motels with those separate little cottages like they used to have. All refubished, etc. Seem nice. Lots and lots of motels, B&Bs, chapels, etc. Seems like a wedding/honeymoon kind of place. Lots of locals. We passed on the passion play which seems to be a big deal here.
The trolley driver suggested a mechanic on the edge of town. Really nice guy. He just took a small hammer and banged on the motor of the step and it worked again. Said it is like a windshield wiper motor. He and Jack were very simpactico.
On to Ozark Vue RV Park - on good roads thank goodness. Past a lot of chicken farms/factories and some little towns. Stopped at a printer's to get xerox copies of pages I needed to send to editor. Very nice people there. From Iowa, don't you know. I knew they couldn't be Arkansans - too nice. Didn't take long. Gorgeous view. See picture. We are less than 20 miles from Branson so we are going to stay 3 nights and just travel back and forth. Owner is really nice guy and gave us a jar of his wife's peach jam made from peaches on the trees on the property. Jack enjoying sitting outside. See picture.
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