Tuesday, January 03, 2006
MAY....2001
The day after we were married, we decided to take in the local sights. Eureka Springs, AR. is called the “Little Switzerland of the United States” along with other notable names. One hotel boasted five floors that all had a ground entrance. The reason being, it was built against a steep hill which made their claim possible. I had not been to Eureka Springs before. It was springtime and that much further south everything was in bloom. The heavy scent of flowers was everywhere and they cascaded off balconies, bluffs and walkways. There seemed to be magic in the air.
Well, there certainly was for us. We couldn’t believe, after all these years that we were actually together. It was like walking through a dream that you’ve had so many times it seems real…….but it isn’t. This time, the dream was real. We rode the trolley bus into the main part of town and got off at the Court House and had our Marriage License notarized. After that we decided to ride another that would tour the large hotels and give us the tourists shot at what they had to offer.
The town is built up and down steep hills so the streets are exceptionally narrow and have sharp turns to negotiate. At one of the streets the bus tried to go up, a large 18-wheeler was stopped at a corner.....the driver couldn’t make it through. A beer truck was parked right at the sharp curve so he was boxed in. We couldn’t get by and neither could the cars backed up behind all of us. It was funny because the people in our trolley were giving directions and people came out of the shops to help the situation. The driver in the semi was young and didn’t have a clue where he was or how to get out…..he lost the bypass and happened into the city route. Something a trucker never wants to do in Eureka.
After all of the commotion we managed to by-pass each other and there was a good natured applause when we were able to continue. The largest hotel sits on the high point of the town and is reported to be haunted. There are enough stories around to make true believers and some of those dark and narrow halls would be a reasonable place to expect a ghost. I am always amazed at the luxury these old turn of the century buildings are dressed in. The murals, the elegant furniture, lamps and all the rest are beautiful and shadow a time long since gone.
Once ending the tour we walked around the shops and enjoyed the artistic feel of the place. Of course it is full of craftsmen, artists, and authors who display their work from their front porches. The Victorian homes are painted all sorts of pastel colors that accent the gingerbread design with pretty round window seats to sit and enjoy the view. Architecturally they are so inviting…..they are settled into the hills they stand on like a big ole setting-hen on her nest. They just look so comfortable and majestic….
That evening we planned to go to the Passion Play which has been a main attraction of the area for many years. We decided to eat and then drive out for the tickets towards time for the play. We found the grounds were offering small side attractions that were very impressive. Tomorrow I will tell you about the Potter.
Until then,
Essentially Esther
Well, there certainly was for us. We couldn’t believe, after all these years that we were actually together. It was like walking through a dream that you’ve had so many times it seems real…….but it isn’t. This time, the dream was real. We rode the trolley bus into the main part of town and got off at the Court House and had our Marriage License notarized. After that we decided to ride another that would tour the large hotels and give us the tourists shot at what they had to offer.
The town is built up and down steep hills so the streets are exceptionally narrow and have sharp turns to negotiate. At one of the streets the bus tried to go up, a large 18-wheeler was stopped at a corner.....the driver couldn’t make it through. A beer truck was parked right at the sharp curve so he was boxed in. We couldn’t get by and neither could the cars backed up behind all of us. It was funny because the people in our trolley were giving directions and people came out of the shops to help the situation. The driver in the semi was young and didn’t have a clue where he was or how to get out…..he lost the bypass and happened into the city route. Something a trucker never wants to do in Eureka.
After all of the commotion we managed to by-pass each other and there was a good natured applause when we were able to continue. The largest hotel sits on the high point of the town and is reported to be haunted. There are enough stories around to make true believers and some of those dark and narrow halls would be a reasonable place to expect a ghost. I am always amazed at the luxury these old turn of the century buildings are dressed in. The murals, the elegant furniture, lamps and all the rest are beautiful and shadow a time long since gone.
Once ending the tour we walked around the shops and enjoyed the artistic feel of the place. Of course it is full of craftsmen, artists, and authors who display their work from their front porches. The Victorian homes are painted all sorts of pastel colors that accent the gingerbread design with pretty round window seats to sit and enjoy the view. Architecturally they are so inviting…..they are settled into the hills they stand on like a big ole setting-hen on her nest. They just look so comfortable and majestic….
That evening we planned to go to the Passion Play which has been a main attraction of the area for many years. We decided to eat and then drive out for the tickets towards time for the play. We found the grounds were offering small side attractions that were very impressive. Tomorrow I will tell you about the Potter.
Until then,
Essentially Esther
