No laptop, TV, mobile phones or Wii for three days. Melanie, Coley & I needed a break from the media frenzied world... but where could we drive to over a busy holiday for a last-minute escape? A cabin in Eureka Springs, AR was less than 4 hours away and the perfect prescription for what was ailing the Sullivans.
An Interstate free, beautiful drive south ended at the Retreat at Sky Ridge where Yonke the pet horse greeted us upon arrival to our remote cabin. Mel and I sat on the porch swing for an hour before unpacking while Coley explored the trails with our dog Fiona. The next 48 hours we lazily soaked in the Ozark Mountain's beauty and diversity. It's not just trees & lakes... apparently the hilly & winding roads of downtown Eureka Springs are a big draw for motorcycle enthusiasts & free-spirited musicians. I had no idea...
Wiener Schnitzel at the Bavarian Inn, a canoe float on the crystal clear white river, margaritas at Casa Colina, boutique shopping and morning hikes peppered in a variety of activities in between chilling on the porch in the treetops. One minute you're listening to only the birds... 15 minutes later you're in an outdoor bar rocking to a Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band surrounded by tie-dyes & leather. Who knew?
Ted's Top 5 Things He Learned About Travel on This Trip:
1. The entire TOWN of Eureka Springs is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
2. 1,000 Bikers + 1,000 Hippie Drummers + Dozens of unique bars = Eclectic Evening
3. If you hike in the woods, float 5 miles in a canoe, play board games by candlelight & sleep in the woods with the windows open... you crash-out like a hibernating bear.
4. A tank of gas can get you & your family 300 miles from your home. Find out what's in your drive radius & go see it.
5. Telling your 11 year old ghost stories about Cujo, Children of the Corn & Pet Cemetery in a remote cabin may backfire.
Well... work & school awaited our return... but they were met with clear minds & rested bodies. Unplugging for a few days not only makes you forget the noise... it makes you wonder.... "What the heck were we listening to in the first place?"
Trip Quote:
"Bob Marley's dad was a Jamaican Bush Doctor... is that "Fact" or "Crap"?".... Coley impersonating a game show host due to no TV. (click on the link to reveal the answer)
Addtional photos can be found here TravelWithTedFlickr
