10 Touring Eureka

     Look very close,  from the lookout we seen a unique building and it changed all our plans of budgeting tonight.  It was the Crescent hotel.  We called and started negotiating with Katy ( great name) at the hotel.  We got a little discount and then we found out if we didn't do the breakfast we could save $40.00 ( must be some breakfast) well we still had oatmeal and yogurt so we were on our way.  Now how do you get from here to there?  Next time we will ask.  Our GPS took us the shortest way and I apologize to the cycle for what I put it thru.  With streets that went almost striaght up and stop signs on the brink of the hill it was more than we should ask a cycle to do pulling a 700 lb plus trailer.

     Built in 1886 just think of the history here, who has walked these halls?   We were on the fourth floor over looking Eureka Springs in the valley below.   Fortunately we had arrived on the day of their annual Christmas Parade.  A seasoned long distant rider had stopped to visit and mentioned when packing to only pack up to 80 % of available space,  I think we were at 105 % plus all the bulky warm clothing we were wearing.   It will be tough to spend four months with this lack of space.  The hotel staff always gets a kick when we take the luggage cart out to the cycle and start pulling things out to take to our room.
     Daughter Michelle had mentioned that we should visit Bubba's BBQ, just in time I might add, they were closing for the winter and this was their last weekend,  hard for us to understand as it was 70 degrees.                                  
   Out side of the Restaurant we were approached by a couple Robert and Noreen from South Dakota, they were inquiring about the food inside and wanted to know all about our travels and the trike.  Sometimes it takes a while to get to our next location, especially if Ruthie pulls out the photo albums.
     I probably should mention that Ruthie has had some accident problems,  a pinched finger, opening 

a door into her chest and tonight she fell getting out of the bathtub,  cracked rib or just a bad bruise only time will tell.  
       I think it was worth it to spend the extra money for one evening,  The special room, Christmas parade, the view of the town and valley below.  A special stay indeed, even with no breakfast.

     After the downtown Christmas parade we wandered the streets looking at  some of the shops in town.  We had a couple of peices fo chocolate and hot beverage.  Met a couple from Little Rock, Tom and Gail,  They had a summer place on the Pigs trial one of our destinations,  had a nice visit with them and learned of some more sights to see.  It seemed they were curious about our retirement plans and the trip.  You meet the nicest people sometimes. 

      Eureka springs is mentioned in Ripley's believe it or not more than any other place on earth.

      



   One of the places he mention's is the Saint Elizabeth Chapel, built in 1904 to honor a mother.  ( haven't found many to honor fathers? Don't understand the favoritism. )  One of the things that make it unique is that you enter thru the bell tower.

We could spend more time, roads and streets to wander.  However there is still the threat of colder weather so we had better move on to Bella Vista.  I am sure we will be back some day.