Little Vacation in the Ozarks

Headed south to Eureka Springs, Arkansas with Sarah and Cassie Thursday afternoon. New territory for Cassie and me, but a place Sarah has been going for years with her family. Some great family friends of the Eagens actually purchased some land down there after many a camping trips and retired in a home they built down there 10 years ago. After seeing it for myself, I definitely can't blame them for choosing the area.

It is almost 11pm on Sunday evening as I sit here now typing, so my post may not be very lengthy. I'll try to give a quick summary of our little vacation in the Ozarks - yep the mountains.

We drove the straight 7 hours to Rick and Darlene's house in the Eureka Springs area after I got off work on Thursday. I read my book during most of the daylight on the way down. We were looping around and through some mountains the last little stretch. I had met Rick and Darlene once before, and I have heard lots about this lake they live on. I was looking forward to seeing a new area, exploring a bit, and relaxing.

Sarah knows I like to run these days, so as we were pulling in she pointed out a trail I might want to go on in the morning if I woke up and decided to go on a run. That I did. First thing Friday morning, I laced up my running shoes, headed up the driveway, down to the main road, across the one-lane bridge, and down the town of Beaver walking trail along the lake. Beautiful 2-mile loop. This was the first time I used the MapMyRun application on my phone, so it GPS tracked my route as I ran it and timed me. You can see the little map of my run in the following collage.

I even stopped halfway and sat and enjoyed the beautiful scenery for a while. I still can't get over some of the awesome nature that our world has to offer.

We had pancakes for breakfast Friday morning, loaded up our stuff, headed to the marina, hopped in Rick's boat, and onto the lake we went. First thing they asked if anyone was interested in jumping from the famous spot today. "Uh, yes please. I'll do it." That's the first place Rick drove us, too. I hopped out of the boat, climbed up the side, came out the cave, and away I went. Video proof right here. Felt pretty alive.

I actually went off twice. The first time, I sorta forgot til it was too late to put my feet first, and my butt was a bit sore (well more so my hamstring) haha. Jump number two from the 45-foot ledge you see in the video. Nice adrenaline rush to make you feel alive on a late Friday morning. I don't let opportunities like this pass me by anymore. Especially when it is a spot the family knows really well, so I have nothing to fear. Just fun to be had and life to be lived. Sarah has done it numerous times, and I was the only one who did it Friday.

Then we spent some time floating near a bridge. Spent some time sitting on the boat, some floating on some noodles in the lake, and some wishing the clouds would go away. haha

Had lunch at the "Dock 'n Eat" along the lake. Parked the boat, and in we went to the little restaurant. Fun experience. I love little things like that. I enjoyed a kids sized grilled cheese sandwich with some fried mushrooms.

Didn't have as much sun as some were hoping for on Friday, but it was still a good day on the lake. Rick explained how this lake is actually part of a stretch of lakes that spans across 60 miles, including Branson, Missouri. We headed back to their humble abode, and I went on run number two for the day. Loooped a little farther this time, exploring the little campground and heading out past the town of Beaver a bit. Ended up running 3 miles that evening before dinner. Had a few too many snacks on the boat, plus I have simply been enjoying running lately, and I had a beautiful place to run around.

Patties (veggie, salmon, and hamburger were all available), sweet corn, and watermelon was on the menu Friday night. All things we had brought with us from Omaha. Darlene actually did pick up the sweet corn at her local store, as we had forgotten it. Delicious meal though, including a little veggie salad Darlene had made.

Saturday morning all of us girls slept in. Cassie and I woke up about 8:45am, and Sarah about 9:30am. haha I decided Saturday could be my day off of running this time. Felt too comfortable in my cute little bed.

Darlene had told us she had plans to run to the store Saturday morning to pick up some of the giant cinnamon rolls from the bakery. She wasn't kidding when she said giant. Each one was about the size of a dinner plate. She cut them into quarters. They were yummy, too. Also had some grapes and cantaloupe. Some leftover for Sunday breakfast after that.

Back to the marina we went for day number two on the lake. More sun on Saturday, with some clouds from time to time. I did pretty good with my sunscreen over the weekend. Just a little pink in a few spots I must have missed when I re-applied at lunch, but no pain. Tanned a bit, and even the red areas I had have tanned over already. 

We freshened up and headed to a little steakhouse outside of Eagle Rock (another tradition that has become of the Nebraskans heading to Arkansas) for some pizza. Here is a group shot we took before heading to the Office Pub. Was some good pizza. The girl in me is not liking my pink shirt so much at this moment and the photographer in me is not enjoying the upward angle so much for this photo. Oh well, made the best with the table we had and the mini tripod I had available at the time. Don't always have the time to set up the perfect make shift surface. haha Had to post the one group photo we took. Wouldn't be my blog if I didn't.

I'll admit I like my pink shirt a bit better in this photo taken outside the Office Pub. Angles angles angles. haha

Was rather tired, and I put some time into my book before hitting the hay. Woke up Sunday mornin and enjoyed a bit more of the gigantic cinnamon rolls. Then, all the ladies went on a nice walk around the campground and down the trail I had mentioned before. Darlene told some cool stories and historical info along the way. After we crossed back over the bridge heading back to their house, I decided to get a couple miles in running before lunch. I looped back around the campground, ran up the trail, sat on the rocks and enjoyed the lake, trees, and mountains, and meditated and thought for a while. The bottom right corner of this photo represents that, and the top left shows you the rock face I was sitting atop.

Showered up, sat on the deck for a while, and then it was time for the little fish fry. Rick had some bluegill in the freezer he had caught, and Darlene had some onion rings she talked about making. Homemade. Yum yum.

I did eat a few pieces of the fresh bluegill. Not everyday I would have this opportunity anymore, and I make exceptions every now and then. Sure, I'm not really eating much meat these days, but when in Rome :-) The onion rings were quite yummy, as well. Nice last little meal before packing up and heading back North to Nebraska.

Nice little mini vacation weekend in a new area with beautiful area, relaxing atmospheres, lovely sounds of nature, fun with some old friends and new, and new life experiences. Living life. Thank you to my friend Sarah for bringing me along after years of hearing her and Kyle talk so much about it. Also, a big thank you to Rick and Darlene for having us. It was great getting to know them better, see a new area, enjoy the beautiful land, and share some good times together.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and has a good week!