I left home on the first leg of a trip to the Ozarks. On the way, I spent two nice (though extremely HOT) days in Livingston visiting the folks. We've gone through a nasty heat wave in Texas (maybe you've heard). But the heat has been in the hundreds. Anyway, I spent one day having lunch in the cafeteria with my parents and their friends. Then, most of the rest of the day inside in air conditioning. The second day was much the same - but included a failed attempt to go see Ice Age at the local antiquated movie theater. Which was also barely air conditioned. And - the folks just didn't seem into the movie (I wasn't either). So, we split. I had the dogs with me and needed to get back anyway. So, we came back, and I read and napped a bit. I left for the Ozarks WAY early in the morning. I was heading up 59 to 259 to 271... on to 40 to 540 and finally to Hwy 62 in Arkansas. The first bit took me through a tiny town called Pittsburg, TX. On the way in, I did a double-take. WHAT was that? I swear to God someone transplanted Versailles to Texas. There is a huge residence? on the edge of town that just blew my mind. Later, on the way out of town... I was amazed to see a gigantic Pilgrim head. THIS time, I had to turn around and take a picture for you.
Turns out that Pittsburg, TX is headquarters for Pilgrim's Pride chicken. Who knew? LOL The trip was relatively easy, but long. The best part was that it was raining or overcast most of the way there which was a great reprieve from the heat. As the flatlands gave way to more and more hills, I found myself relaxing into the trip. Nothing connects me like nature, and the Ozarks are just beautiful. They were much shorter than mountains (though they call themselves mountains). They look a lot like the Texas hill country - except more lush and green. My friends Luis and Crystal had moved to Eureka Springs a year or two before, and their house was on the route into town. The girls and I stopped on the way in to see their digs. Well, it's beyond glorious - perched high on the rocky summit overlooking a gorge and swift-flowing White river. The house, itself, was pretty amazing. A huge 4,000 square foot edifice with large windows overlooking said scenery. My favorite parts of the home were the awesome view, the workout room, the kitchen, and the lovely art garden created by Crystal. 
I liked their dogs too: Wolfie and Foxy. Here's Crystal with Wolfie and Luis with Foxy: 
The girls and I left to go into Eureka Springs. We stayed at a lovely mom and pop hotel (the Days Inn). It was just what we were looking for: cheap and relatively tidy. Plus, the girls liked the bed. :) 
I absolutely adored Eureka Springs. It's an artist/writer colony type of place. Very laid back. We took the dogs to swim in the lake one morning: Luis and Crystal then made me lunch and we went out on a boat cruise of Beaver Lake. It was lovely and cool on the lake (and the whole time I was in ES). Luis and I went to a horrible ghost tour on Saturday night (I do NOT recommend the Crescent Hotel ghost tour). The next morning, I went into town and spent time just taking some pictures of this lovely quaint place. I know I'll be coming back someday. Here are just a few of the pictures:
Finally, very early on the 8th, the girls and I bid a sad farewell to our newfound vacation spot. We left early enough that we made good time getting home, but just to give you an idea of what we saw as we left Arkansas:
We ran into some VERY nasty weather at the Texas/Oklahoma border (tornado-ish), but the rest of the way was typical Texas summer. HOT and sunny. Bye bye 60 degree temps. Hello rest of summer.
I'm SO looking forward to England in the Fall!
