We made the short drive from Oz early Saturday afternoon. The drive really is beautiful as you wind through the Ozark Mountains. Once we crossed the state line into Arkansas we noticed a more rustic look to the homes and buildings. I got the sense that things aren't just tossed away once they are old or broken. It looked like people re-purposed all types of objects, giving them new life. (Or at the very least turned "junk" into folk art yard ornaments). We passed by farm homes and small towns with greasy diners and old fashioned general stores. Then we went through a town called Berryville. This is where you might want to keep the windows rolled up. This blip on the map had a horrible stench in the air! A few blocks into town we saw a huge Tyson Chicken factory and the mystery was solved.
Not long after escaping the odorific Berryville we arrived in Eureka. I was confused by all of the touristy looking motels and chain restaurants. This was not the Eureka I loved as a child! We followed the GPS directions toward our cottage and it directed us a sharp right off the drag we were on into the historic district. EUREKA! We had been transported back in time.
As we entered the Historic District we saw a few people decked out in costume walking the streets. The Mardi Gras parade had taken place a few hours earlier and if it didn't look like rain was on the way I'm sure more people would have still been celebrating. We drove high up to the peak of a hill overlooking the town and found our cottage. Mark had done such a great job finding the perfect place for us to stay!
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| Our Cottage |
We un-loaded the car and set about inspecting the cottage. We had a gas fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, cozy bedroom and a private balcony with a hot tub overlooking the town! I tucked myself into the couch by the fire with a book to read and Mark headed into town to find a grocery store to gather dinner and champagne. When he returned the sun had set. We spent the evening soaking in the hot tub sipping champagne and watching the Mardi Gras festivities happening from our place high on the hill.
The next day we slept in and then walked the historic district. Eureka Springs is known as the "Little Switzerland of America" and we soon realized why after trekking up and down the hills. (small mountains if you ask my knees.) With shop after shop lining the streets we had much to look at.
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| Walking the town |
Eureka Springs was founded long ago after it was discovered that the water from its many springs (63 springs can be found in town!) had healing qualities. People came from all over to soak in the waters and the old bath house buildings still remain. The Palace Bath House is the only one still operable.
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| Palace Bath House |
After an hour or so of walking we ducked into a little Italian joint called Geraldi's and ate lunch. The food was good and we needed the carbs to continue our uphill journey toward Crescent Hotel.
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| Geraldi's |
The Crescent Hotel is famous for being haunted. I had seen it when I was younger but had never actually gone inside.
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| The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa |
We decided to have a drink at the hotel bar and rest our legs. Walking into the lobby you get a feel for how creepy the place is. A huge gothic fireplace greeted us and set the tone.
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| Fireplace at The Crescent Hotel |
I needed to use the bathroom so that was the first order of business. We found one down a short hallway off the lobby and Mark waited by the door for me. I went into the small bathroom and the stall I chose (one of only two) was occupied. I know this because when I pushed on the handle it was locked. Feeling slightly rude I went into the other one. I could hear the other woman rustling around and then exit her stall. As I was finishing up I realized I hadn't yet heard her turn on the sink to wash up. Not really wanting to share the space I waited for a second thinking she was just taking her time. Nope, no water turning on. Maybe she left already and I just hadn't noticed the extremely noisy door open? I opened my stall door, peeked out and the bathroom was empty. The hairs on my arm stood up and the room felt claustrophobic all of a sudden. In my haste to get the heck out and back to Mark I opened a linen closet instead of the exit door. It was full of cleaning supplies and odd old things. I slammed the door, located the real exit door and met Mark in the hall. He could tell I was frazzled and asked what was wrong. I asked him if he had seen anyone leave the bathroom and he said no, he had been standing there the entire time and no one had come out. I was pretty sure I had just peed in the presence of a ghost.
We walked up three flights of creepy stairs (we heard a very disturbing sound on the second floor) and landed at the hotel bar, Dr. Baker's Sky Bar. We went out on the observation deck first to enjoy the view before the sun set and then went in for a drink.
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| Heading up the stairs |
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| Observation deck at Dr. Baker's Sky Bar |
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| Inside the Bar |
After we ordered drinks and sat down we used our phones to look up the history of the hotel. It turns out that at one time The Crescent Hotel was a cancer hospital run by Dr. Baker. He claimed that the spring water from the town would cure cancer. Obviously a lot of people died and Dr. Baker gained the reputation of an eccentric quack. The basement of the hotel had served as a morgue and Dr. Baker's office was directly across the hall from the bar we were seated at. This place was full of spooky history. We finished our drinks and noticed it was dark outside so we decided to head back to the cottage. Before we made it out of the hotel I almost peed my pants after being startled by a hotel employee in a dimly lit hallway, (Mark found this to be extremely funny) and at the lobby the doorman had been replaced by the most queer cat.
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| The door cat |
The kitty followed us into the night and we began our downhill trek home. The Historic District has virtually no street lamps so we had to take it slow and use the flashlight app. on Mark's phone to navigate the steepest hill. I'm really glad we got to walk the town at night though, it was really pretty and it kept the spooky vibe going.
Once back at our cottage Mark cooked up our dinner. We ate, had a soak in the hot tub, and then crawled into bed. You can guess how the evening ended. ;)
We woke on Monday morning to a beautiful sunny day and headed back to Oz. I will always think back on our first Valentine's with fond memories and I can't wait to visit Eureka Springs again!
~Love & Light~
To view our photo album from the trip click here.
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