Hiking in Buffalo River State Park, Arkansas

We had a little down time this week so we did something we've been trying to do for a while now. We did a day trip to the Buffalo River, a 150 mile long river with natural wilderness, towering limestone bluffs, canoe outfitters, campsites, hiking trails, and three wilderness areas. We decided to go to Lost Valley which is about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Eureka Springs, Arkansas where our bed and breakfast is located.

First we went to Jasper, Arkansas and had lunch at the Ozark Cafe which has been serving food to the locals and travelers for the last 100 years. We stuffed ourselves with plenty of carbohydrates for our pending hike and took with us two of their desserts for an afternoon pick me up.

The first stop on our hike was the Natural Bridge, about a 15 minute hike on a fairly easy trail, the first 1/4 mile of which is wheel chair accessible. I'm glad it was easy because we decided it wasn't such a good idea to eat a big lunch of carbs right before going on a hike. The area around the initial hike was through a wooded area next to a stream which was dry at the moment. The pictures below are of the Natural Bridge area. As you can see, we took our dogs who felt right at home jumping across rocks and through the streams. It was a quiet, peaceful hike through some great scenery.



We then took the trail up to see Eden Falls. This trail was a little harder as it headed uphill and became a little rocky. But we had worked off enough of our lunch that the going wasn't too bad. Along the way I took a pictures of the cliffs (see above) which tower over the river. The total time to hike up to the falls and back was about 2 hours at a leisurely pace.

Driving out of the park we ran across a herd of Elks which are prevalent in the area.

Once we arrived back home in Eureka Springs, we knew the dogs had enough exercise as they plopped down and didn't open their eyes again until the next morning. Of course, we did pretty much the same thing.


5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast, Eureka Springs, AR

Santa's Unique Christmas Holiday Parade

Twas a few weeks before Christmas and all through the town, people came out to see what was around. When, what to their wondering eyes did appear, but an artists rendition of all kinds of things!!

Eureka Springs, Arkansas had it's annual Santa's Christmas Parade the other night. We just love this parade. Festive, bright, artistic, candy and beads thrown to the crowd, floats, walkers, dogs and of course Santa. The spirit is more than alive here, it's pervasive. There are Christmas sales going on, a contest where you can win everything shown in a store window display, Dickens dinner theater, Holiday shows, lights throughout the city and much more. In this quaint, historic town you can even pretend you are in the same village that Tiny Tim lived in.

The 3rd annual Bed and Breakfast cookie tour is this coming weekend (December 12, 2009 from 1 to 6pm) where you can taste 20 different cookies at 10 different inns and enter a chance to win a $100 gift certificate at any of the participating bed and breakfasts. Most of the inns have a special which includes tickets to the tour.

Come to Eureka Springs and stay at 5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast where we will fill your bellies and warm your soul. Happy Holidays to everyone!!

Update: For even more pictures (and probably a little better view than mine, click here.



5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast, Eureka Springs, AR

Recipe for Apple Fruit Salad with Organic Honey

I mentioned a couple of months ago that we harvested some honey from our two beehives. Here's a recipe we use here at 5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast with our honey. We think this recipe calls for a robust flavored honey to stand up against the Granny Smith apples. Enjoy!!

Sliced Apple with Raisins, Walnuts & Honey Poppy Seed Glaze

4 medium Granny Smith apples
4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 cup walnut pieces
1/4 cup golden raisins

1. Core apples and slice into 1/4 inch pieces.
2. Toss in 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
3. Combine the honey, poppy seeds, 2 teaspoons lemon juice and lemon zest in a medium bowl.
   
4. Toss the apple slices with the honey mixture.
5. Arrange the slices on a plate in a fan shape. Sprinkle with walnuts and raisins.
6. Spoon on any additional honey mixture and serve.

Yield: serves 8 (depending on the size of the apples, you can get up to 12 when you use 5 slices of apple for each serving)


5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast in Eureka Springs, AR