Eureka Springs, Arkansas

On our way out of Hot Springs we knew we wanted to get through Ouachita National Forest but didn't have a plan beyond that drive.  I had picked up a swanky looking pamphlet about the art in Eureka Springs and decided to look into it.  I booked a hotel, but in retrospect if I go back I really should look into booking one of the cabins or bed and breakfasts in the Historic Loop around Main Street and Spring Street.  

After checking in to the hotel I went out to a restaurant/bar.  The restaurant side is the Pied Pipers Pub, the bar side is the Cathouse.  There was great live music!  I can't remember the opening act (Amanda Mae maybe?) she sang a few songs, one of which was called Sewing Machine.  Then the main act was Lou Shields.  Not only quite the entertainer, but all of his guitars/instruments are handmade by friends, many of which incorporate his old skateboards (including his foot-percussion pieces).  Most notable was the "Shitar" (instead of Sitar) which he showed off well.

I was excited to explore the downtown the next day. I parked way up Spring Street because I kept stopping to look at all of the interesting details of the old houses and the immaculate shape they've been kept in.  I walked down street lined with houses perched above the sidewalks and rock gardens inset along the path with stairs and springs in them.  

(I love they way they decorated hanging baskets with colored icicles and ornaments in the basket)

Along with a number of galleries Eureka Springs has a hat shop (Hats, Hides and Heirlooms), bead store (Cresent Moon) and yarn/needlework/weaving/knitting shop (Fleece & Flax).  I could settle down right here and stay!  

Lunch was at Local Flavor.  I followed the Foursquare suggestions to get the Sesame Goat Cheese salad and was not disappointed.  Also the French Lavender Martini: (vodka, lemon, calendar syrup, champagne) was amazing.

I didn't want to leave, but I eventually have to get back to Lansing so back on the road and landed in Springfield, MO for the evening.  Other birds we saw today: blue jay, black vulture. The bird apps just aren't the same as flipping through Petersen's bird guide.  I have also gotten a bit more beading done.  I imagine there will be a significant more to do tomorrow. 

Hot Spings National Park Hike

The first hike of the New Year was around the Hot Springs National Park.  I didn't bother with the observatory tower since it's been foggy and rainy.  There wasn't much rain this morning so it was perfect to venture into the woods.  There were wonderful pops of colors through the fog and rock formations.

There were also some areas where we saw many different birds flitting around.  Most interesting were the Brown Creeper (a bird I've never seen before!), Titmouse, Junco and the Downy Woodpecker.  Adding to the 2015 bird list are the Sparrow (not a house sparrow, need to look that one up), Robin, Gold Finch, Crow and the Cardinal.  

I love the coloring of these mushrooms growing off of dead-fall.

After the hike I got cupcakes from Fat Bottomed Girl Cupcakes (great name!) and headed toward Ouachita National Forest.  By the time we hit some trail heads it was raining pretty hard so I drove on toward Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  

I also have been getting beading done.  On the way down I finished a purple bangle and earring set for New Year's Eve.  Then I started in on a bangle bracelet idea that I had sketched out and have picked the colors that I'm looking at for Spring 2015 (above).  More on this bangle later!