Ready. Set. Go.

Yes!  Let's go!

Christmas Cookies

Aren't these the cutest cookies!  Thanks Aunt Terri!

First, Fifth, First

It sounds terrible that this is Byam's fifth Christmas and only her first tree.  We've celebrated every year, but without putting up a big tree.  When friends gifted her first ornament, we had to change!

Soft toys are her favorites and with the piercing-squeaking ball, she is gets to play as long as she keeps chasing and not chewing.

Chapel #2 Eureka Springs

Vacation is winding down, so we drove north to stop at a second chapel by Fay Jones - the award winning Thorncrown.  Sadly the owner painted the wood structure in gray paint/stain.  Even imagining the chapel without the owner painting the wood gray - I rather better like the Hot Springs chapel.  It is still impressive, yet no dogs allowed.

Chapel #1 Hot Springs

We were looking for an outing on Thanksgiving Day, but found our destination closed for the holiday.  We were glad to make the drive back to the Anthony Chapel the next day.  I'm impressed by the  contemplative space in nature that was designed by architect by Fay Jones.  Not dog friendly, but the fall foliage would have made a wonderful walk.

Arkansas State Park - Ready for the Airstream, Next Time

So fun with Byam here!
The hotel here is grand, yet I love having my own sheets, pillows, blankets, towels....
The State Park is wooded and beautiful.  Wish we had the Airstream here in Arkansas - next time!

Walking

Just across the street from the historic Arlington Hotel is a promenade overlooking the bathhouses on Central Avenue.

The bathhouses were built and grew around the hot springs, and are now a part of the National Parks.  The bathhouses are still a place to rest and rejuvenate - the two open now offer wonderful, but different relaxing experiences.

Located in the National Park along the public water fountains offer no cost mineral water, even for dogs.  Love this dog friendly town!

Hiking in November!

Our hike left from the back door of our hotel, and right up into the Hot Springs National Park.  Dog friendly!  Byam was welcome to hike the trails with us!!  Hiking through the still falling leaves, we enjoyed days with temperatures in the 60's and 70's .  The winding trails were both natural, and well maintained.  Several openings in the trees overlooked the historic bathhouses on Central Avenue.

Magazine Mountain - Another First

Up and down the two lane roads we wound around, and stopped to enjoy the fresh air and wind in the Arkansas Mountains.  The green colors were fabulous!

They seem rather hill-like after spending time in the Rocky Mountains on past trips.  But for the first time, I watched clouds come in over the mountain top.  Too bad the video didn't work.

Yes, we did stay at a hotel  No Airstream :-(
Probably a good thing, as one morning at home there was a snow storm followed by -7 degree temperature.

Brittany - Not Every Photo is Becoming

Looking good.

Hmmm.

We enjoyed our brief walk in the Arkansas Mountains, before the clouds rolled in.

Byam's State Count - 20 Arkansas & 21 Oklahoma!

Arkansas is Byam's 20th state visited.  And since we were within 16 miles of Oklahoma, we headed there for lunch - making our traveling dog Byam's 21st state.  And yes, she did take a pet rest stop!

Where Were We? Traveling!

After a good barbeque sandwich for lunch in Kansas City, we headed south to Bentonsport Arkansas.  The art inside the Crystal Bridges American Art Museum is amazing, so glad we stopped.
And we were delighted to find that the the Crystal Bridges' grounds are very dog friendly!

Walking around the buildings, we learned that we will need to return when the Bachman Wilson house, a Frank Lloyd Wright building, is moved next to the museum.  Like the cows at Ben and Jerry's in Vermont, Byam was careful in her approach to the Arkansas pig.

A great afternoon!

Our Little Pumpkin

While I love her dressed as a little pumpkin, Byam just puts up with our nonsense.  The hat is pushed back as soon as possible, but the rest of the Halloween costume does not bother her.  She was excited to see her gift.  Three Dog Bakery treats - Thanks Aunt Terri!!

Out to the Fields

A see-your-breath morning means time to get out into the fields.

No Elk at Elk Rock?

So inspired by the weekend seeing elk, we headed over to Elk Rock State Park to the lake surrounded by leaves turning their autumnal colors.  We enjoyed our hikes on the dog-friendly trails sharing the day with beautiful and tall horses.

Byam and Elk

Iowa once had a huge population of elk, so we headed over to see a few live elk near our campsite.  We stopped at the improved viewing area to watch the few elk and new sculpture before walking down to the playground with the really cool hollowed out log to run through.