I'm Going to Texas

Thursday, September 8, 2016

- Never say "never"

Retrospective (9/19)

Patch #252 Fount

Original Post

After a less-than-awesome stop in Texarkana last year, I didn't think we'd be back in Arkansas so soon, but our tour of the National Park in Hot Springs made me glad we returned ...

The stained glass windows alone were worth seeing (although I haven't yet researched who created them) ...

and if the 1980s vintage video was a little hokey, it did explain some of the stranger aspects of the steam bathing facilities ...

The hillside architecture was enough to turn one's head ...

and while the seven-hour drive ahead kept us from going to the top of the mountain, we did make time to visit the museum store, coming away with grandkid gifts for Christmas, a "passport" book to record future national park visits, and directions to this iconic hot spring fountain ...

which spouted water obviously every bit of the touted 143 degrees Farenheit. And yes, that's algae ...

in all its slickery glory, growing in spite of (or perhaps because of) the heat.

Our final never say "never" in Arkansas moment came a couple of hours later when we actually stopped in Texarkana for lunch, following a less-than-stellar experience last year. We're glad we did and can definitely give two thumbs up for the Ironwood Grill's hand-tossed bread dough sandwiches and house-made soups ...

We may just pass this way again.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

- Sweet memories

Retrospective (9/18)

Patch #251 Lucky (Route) 7

Original Post

Eight hours on the GPS translates into nine or ten hours once you add in stretch breaks (every 80-90 miles), filling the gas tank, and stopping for lunch ...

Our mid-day destination was a restaurant in Harrison, Arkansas that we learned about from owners Mike and Karen Nabors when we stopped at a B&B in Nacogdoches, Texas. The building is only sixteen years old, but it's based on an actual grist mill ...

They bake all the bread on site, so I thoroughly enjoyed a bowl of tomato basil soup with focaccia and a mini bacon corn muffin. However, the bread pudding was the star of the show!

As we waited in line to place our order, Don spotted Mike Nabors and reminded him of our meeting last spring. He ended up coming over to our table, obviously delighted that we had gone out of our way to stop by. He told us tales of local fishing and then, asking where we were headed next, drew us a map of the scenic route to Hot Springs. "It'll take a little longer, but you'll really see the Ozarks," he promised.

So, even though it was only half an hour down the road, we stopped at the Cliff House Inn ...

to see the cloud shadows make a patchwork quilt on the "Grand Canyon of Arkansas" ...

then have a slice of pie ...

Fortunately, we chose the lemon chess as we got a thumbs down review of their specialty pie from another patron who commented as she passed by our table, "I should've gotten the chess ... their Governor's pie was nothing but whipped cream."

Heading down the road, we hit some wicked hairpin turns ...

and signs that repeatedly cautioned how many miles of "crooked and steep" roads were ahead of us ...

Nonetheless, the scenic overlooks delivered on Mike's promise ...

And as we drove, I let my mind wander back to our St Louis visit. My favorite memory? When J said, "Nana, you smell good," as I buckled him into his car seat.

"Thank you J." Then I dared ask, "Like what?"

"Like cotton!"

"Cotton?"

"Cotton at the Cardinals game!"

"Cotton candy? I smell like cotton candy at a baseball game? You are so sweet, buddy!"

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

- Blue

Retrospective (9/18)

Patch #250 Ice cream!

Original Post

Last day in St Louis is always full to overflowing.

Patching jeans ...

Going to swim class (and annual physicals, not photographed) ...

A trip to get Lego sets (also not photographed).

And last, but not least, a visit to Fritz's frozen custard stand. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves (and yes, there are a lot, but they were too much fun to leave any out) ...