Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Eureka Springs, Arkansas - 05 October 2020  | This is a rescue facility for big cats that had been kept across the country as "pets" or were bred for the "cub petting" or pay-to-play with cubs. Golly, let's think about that. Males can reach up to 680 pounds and they can run up to 40 mph. Isn't that just what you want meeting you at the door when you return home? By law, the public is not allowed to be in contact with cubs over several months old. So many of the cubs are euthanized when they can't bring in money.
|
 | | These magnificent animals are nursed back to health from some truly gruesome environments. The staff has rescued dozens of animals since 1991 beginning with 42 from a breeder and black market seller. One breeder in Arkansas had 66 big cats. After 7 tigers were rescued, 4 lions escaped and were shot. The remaining 56 cats were then turned over the TCWR. And these stories go on and on. |
 | | Many of these animals can be adopted online or contributions can be made to the Food Fund or Habitat Fund. As you may imagine, the TCWR goes through hundreds of pounds of meat every day. |
 | | Besides tigers, there are several lions,... |
 | An odd rescue now and then brings a cute but unidentified (because we cannot remember) small wild cat to this forever home.
|
 | | Majestic in every way, many of these animals are malnourished or have severe injuries due to improper, confining spaces. Now, they have forever homes with adequate food, shelter and medical care. |
 | | Cat personalities are on display as we drove around on the tram. Usually this is a walking tour of the facility but with social distancing requirements this open air tram keeps people coming out to see these special creatures. The uniqueness in stripe patterns for several at the Refuge is due to purposeful breeding of lions with tigers. The top two are LIGERS. Parents of a liger would be a male lion and female tiger. The bottom two are white tigers. |
The Sweet and Savory Cafe, Eureka Springs, Arkansas - 6 October 2020  | A relatively early morning breakfast out on the raised screen porch with proper social distancing. Bob ordered the Flannel pancakes which had been recommended by our neighbors in Peculiar, Missouri. Not sure what they are made with but the description is "soft, fluffy and gluten-free". Tasted like flannel to me. Sorry. I stuck with eggs, bacon and biscuit.
|
Historic Downtown, Eureka Springs, Arkansas - 6 October 2020 | | Still working the Halloween angle, many of the multistorey buildings were all about spiders, witches and pumpkins. We were reminded of the French Quarter district with all the wrought iron railings, tall windows and overhanging verandas. It's a good walking area but finding a space for our truck was a challenge. We lucked out (we thought) by parking behind a very short car so we could get completely in our space without encroaching on their ability to get out. However, the guy that parked behind us was not so aware and left his vehicle within inches of our bumper. Thanks loads. It took both of us to maneuver, Bob steering while I kept my eyes on curbs, traffic and bumpers. |
 | | Carrie Nation's last home, aka Hatchet Hall, was purchased by her as she was reaching the end of her life. During her first speaking engagement in January 1911, she collapsed onstage and was taken to Evergreen Place Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas where, ironically, one specialty was the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Basin Springs Park is legendary for its healing waters, as a gathering place, a centerpiece for public performances in the band shell and has a memorial to the "Doughboys" of World War I. |
 | | Finding these "Mud Figures" depicting rural life in China reminded us of our former collection which we gave away or sold during our downsizing for life on the road. The Basin Park Hotel opened in 1905 comes complete with a spa, Whisky Bar, music and food at the Balcony Restaurant and Paranormal Investigations on Friday and Saturday evenings. |
 | This is the third Flat-Iron Building on his location. In 1880, the first Flat-Iron Building was constructed within sight of the Basin Spring. It housed the town's first banking establishment and was the first structure built of bricks among hundreds of wood buildings. The unusual three-sided, four-story building featured wood trim and a wraparound porch between 2nd and 3rd floors. Fires in 1890 and again in 1925 destroyed the buildings and left the lot empty until 1989 when the third Flat-Iron was constructed, incorporating architectural design elements of both previous structures.
Fun Fact - Why is it called a flat-iron? Traditionally in geomorphology, a flatiron is a steeply sloping, triangular landform created by the differential erosion of a steeply dipping, erosion-resistant layer of rock overlying softer stata. |
Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas - 6 October 2020
 | | Thorncrown Chapel, located in a woodland setting, rising forty-eight feet into the Ozark sky. An entirely wooden structure containing 425 windows, totalling over 6,000 square feet of glass with 360 degree views of surrounding, pristine forest. Opening over 40 years ago, the Chapel has been visited by more than seven million people. |
Blue Springs Heritage Center, Eureka Springs, Arkansas - 7 October 2020 | | Blue Spring Heritage Center blends the history from the journeys of Native Americans, prehistoric civilization and early settler life. Evidence of an old mill powered by the spring and other remnants of community center on the waters. |
 | | In 1993, thirty-three acres were transformed with arrays of plants and flowers to attract visitors while walkways around the spring and through the surrounding landscape invite you to stay awhile. For our visit in October, we did not get the full affect of the plantings due to a late summer flooding which damaged much of the flora so tenderly maintained throughout the grounds. Now there is and excuse to go back for another visit. |
 | | Convenience of raised platforms and walkways allow for all levels of ability to enjoy the springs. |
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Eureka Springs, Arkansas - 7 October 2020
 | | The only Church you enter through the bell tower, the original construction was a frame church begun by Father Michael Smythe and completed in 1882 and established the first Catholic community servicing the Eureka Springs area. Richard Kerens, a distinguished member of the Eureka Improvement Company built a chapel dedicated to his deceased mother, Elizabeth, the Kerens Memorial Chapel. In 1908, a church proper was added to the Chapel and one year later dedication ceremonies were held. The existing chapel (with the round dome) became the vestibule of the church. |
 | | The outdoor gardens are studded with marble statues and rose bushes. |
 | | Beautiful stained glass windows illuminated by the fading sunlight. |
 | | Imported marble statues, altars and mosaic flooring are from Italy. Paintings were donated by the parishioners |
Ermilio's Italian Home Cooking, Eureka Springs, Arkansas - 7 October 2020
 | Trying to find our way back home, we just drove around looking at the variety of architecture throughout the neighborhood. We turned a corner and came upon Ermilio's. Shocked that it was open, we drove up the street for a parking spot (no way to turn around for their lot) and walked back to find a charming house-turned-neighborhood-restaurant. Deck seating for a delicious home-made Italian dinner? Yes, please! Pesto bread rounds for appetizers, lasagna for me and ravioli for Bob, splitting a lemon cake for dessert. Delizioso!
This gem has made its way back onto our must-spend-time-here list. |
|
