In a conversation not long ago, we wondered aloud about...

.. something to do for a winter weekend getaway-..

..-(should weekend and getaway have dashes betwixt? Should betwixt itself be... be-twixt???)

A good place to go that doesn't involve outdoor butt-freezing activities, at least not ALL day, is geographically and historically interesting, AND has great art and eats.. is-- Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

So we did it; it's not so hard is it? Shut down the internet, jump in yon able vehicle and fracking DO SOMETHING! It's 229 miles.. 3 and a half hours.

She paid for the cabin for two nights, in advance, online. I covered gas and eats. Wear and tear on vehicle went to her 'cause her Yukon is sweet, comfort-wise. I did the driving though... all good and balanced (she is the scales of libra so I've now become balance-0bsessed my-own-self). 

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Eureka Springs is a village in northwest Arkansas established, reportedly, by two Germans, one pogo-stick maniacal, the other a cheese-maker.

First German while bouncing around on his pogo:  "Why is it I love your stinky cheese so?"

Second G.: "Stinky?"

First: "Ya, love it, the taste, but it's ever so stinky. In fact, the rotting dairy stench seems to have gotten all over you too... permanently- You reeka, cheese-maker." 

Second (cheese-maker): "Cheese itself may be completely and udderly wrong as food for humans, but aye, the stinkier the better is vut I say."

(silence)

Second, once again: "What is it that powers your jumping device?"

First: "springs."

These two had been searching for a name for their town. Now, they had it.

YOU-REEKA-SPRINGS

Everything is steps in Eureka.. up, down, always steps, or as they call them down there, stairs. Mud Street Cafe, down in the grotto, run by sprout growing tree huggers... a kind breakfast find indeed.

 We shopped a bit, mostly the window variety, and mostly wherever the sunshine was, then decided to warm up in the Basin Hotel. Of course, we had to go to the top, and the tiny ancient elevator being occupied, we walked. Six flights!

 Above... view from up top.

 Saw this thing just out of town on the way back from Beaver Lake Saturday afternoon; needless to say, we had to climb to the scary top. If there had been a breath of wind... no way. 

 That is the Yukon... waaaay down there.

 Coming on nightfall, nearly 5pm! We asked a local for a good place to view the sunset. She said "the Crescent Hotel." Actually, I think THE CRESCENT (haunted) HOTEL is the answer the locals are paid to give whenever a tourist asks anything about where to go. It was not a good place for sunset watching.

 But, oh yes, they have STAIRS! Six more stories. Above photo taken at the top, while I was recovering.

 View from the top of the Crescent... this balcony faces... sunRISE. Oh well, pretty neat!

(the ass-hats pic) 

Cheap fun... priceless experience dontchaknow. 

Shop LOCAL, or DO SOMETHING local this Christmas... pretty please