Learn basic back country hiking, Hobbs State Park, AR

Last year we stopped at Hobbs State park to see the new visitor center that had opened up. Hobbs is only about 20 minutes from Eureka Springs, AR. We were impressed with the center as well as what they had done with the state park area. While we were there we noticed they were offering guided tours by the park rangers as well as some classes. Below we have listed one class we are considering ourselves (at least the hiking part of it). We may have to wait until the tourist season slows down before we can make it, but we think living in Northwest Arkansas, this would be an excellent class.

About the park the states website says, "The park's 17,531-square-foot visitor center opened on May 27, 2009. This $4.5 million, state-of-the-art facility features Ozark focused exhibits including interactive kiosks, classroom space, a retail sales area, and the park's administrative offices. WI-FI wireless Internet access is provided in the visitor center."

The 'Basic Back Country Hiking and Camping Training' being offered is a one-day training session on the fundamentals of back country hiking and camping given at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area on Saturday, June 26th, 2010 from 10 AM until 3 PM. This basic training is for all age groups. Examples of topics to be covered are: The joys of back country hiking; basic camping; how to pack and carry needed supplies and equipment; how to select a camp site; how to set up a camp site; basic map and compass skills; how not to get lost; proper dress and layering; how to build a fire and cook meals; basic safety and survival knowledge; plus Leave No Trace Ethics. The course is designed for those with little or no camping experience. Cost: $25/adult and $10/12-17 yrs. Call the park office for reservations at 479-789-5000.

If you take the class, what better way to relax than with a massage and stay at a bed and breakfast in Eureka Springs, AR.


Romantic Getaways at 5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eureka Springs Underground Attraction

One of the local television stations did a segment on the underground tunnels in Eureka Springs, AR. The tunnels were built in the late 1800s and the town was built on top of the tunnels. Recently the city began doing daily tours of a small part of the tunnels. It's a fascinating story so the next time you are in town, check them out. You can checkout the video here.

5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

The difference between hotels and B&Bs? The letter 'R'. Fee versus Free.

While Jan and I stay at bed and breakfasts whenever we can, occasionally we do stay at hotels. Have you noticed an every increasing number of fees added on, some that weren't mentioned on the hotels web page when you booked?

The New York Times recently had an article on the increased use of hotel fees. In part it said:

Over the last few years, the airlines have been adding and increasing fees on checked bags, exit row seats and more, much to the benefit of their bottom lines. And for similar reasons, hotels are likely to add more fees and more stringently enforce or even raise existing charges for cutting a stay short, for example, or for storing luggage.

Jan and I stayed at a major chain hotel in Key Largo for our daughter's wedding last year and at checkout they added on a daily charge for the refrigerator (which we didn't use but they said it was there if we had wanted to); a daily parking fee (they had a lot of parking available so it wasn't because they were limited in space); we had declined internet access for $9.95 a day; and a daily charge for the in-room safe (which again we didn't use, but, "Hey", they said, "it was there if you wanted to use it")...Huh!!! What happened to that low price they showed on my internet reservation?

At 5 Ojo Inn B&B we promise you will never see fees added on for parking, refrigerators, snacks, sodas, luggage storage, full breakfast, concierge services, internet access, ice, or water. We do have to collect the city and state taxes but there won't be any other hidden 'service charges' automatically added on. What you are quoted is an all inclusive charge. Everything is included.

The New York Times article went on to say:

“Hotels have a modest ability now to increase their average daily rate, but they can increase their bottom line by trying to institute more add-on, ancillary fees,” he said. “That seems to be where the travel industry is going.”

It may be where the airline and hotel part of the travel industry is going, but it surely isn't where the bed and breakfast industry is going. B&Bs have taken the tact of adding value to their service without increasing fees. We think adding fees tends to alienate travelers trying to watch their spending, while adding value gives visitors something extra for their money.

The article ends with:

Fees have “become more accepted as part of the travel experience,” Mr. Hanson said. With travel demand starting to rise, he added, “this gives hotels greater confidence to apply and enforce fees.”

Expected, maybe. Accepted, definitely not! We can see adding on a fee if we use a service which normally wouldn't be considered part of a hotel stay, say, like the rental of a canoe from their marina. But the rest of those fees, we don't like them.

One last thing. We recently read an article targeted to hotels titled "How to implement hotel fees without sacrificing customer satisfaction". Why didn't they write an article which said, "How to increase reservations by increasing value without increasing fees"? To us, hotels are 'profit centric' and bed and breakfasts are 'guest centric'.

The difference between hotels and B&Bs? The letter 'R'. Fee versus Free.


5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast, Eureka Springs, Arkansas