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When you go by the nickname of SwampSwami, your gills have adjusted to being at or slightly above sea level for most of your adult life.
Last week, my lovely wife (aka SwampMommy) and I hit the road into the mountains of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma for a week of post-COVID vacation time. We had not taken a full week of vacation since March, 2020’s good ol’ COVID lockdown, so we were long overdue.
We also rejoiced at the chance to escape from the earlier-than-normal heat and humidity of our current habitat. The temperature was and still remains in the upper 90’s daily with no rain in sight.
Thankfully, temperatures were in seasonal mid-80’s each day last week in Arkansas, southwest Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma. Ahh…
Here are a few observations from our trip to the not-quite-so-frozen tundra:
Stop #1 – Hot Springs, Arkansas
We always stay at the DeGray State Park Lodge about 25 minutes south of Hot Springs. In addition to being our honeymoon destination several decades ago, this lovely state park has everything you need – including a very nice and reasonably priced 18-hole golf course. The main lodge (for non-campers) has about 100 well-equipped air-conditioned rooms at an affordable seasonal price. It also has a full-service restaurant on premises.
For those who prefer the great outdoors, there are a large number of camping areas available. If you’re like me and your body isn’t yearning for a Boy Scout-type primitive camping experience any longer, DeGray State Park has a few unique yurts for those who want to experience camping but without having to risk a visit by Smokey Bear’s relatives at your tent. These yurts have bunk-style beds but no air conditioning. I’d recommend them when the weather is cooler.
After a brief drive north on scenic (translated – winding road) Arkansas Highway 7, you arrive in Hot Springs. Officially named Hot Springs National Park, the city is large enough to provide plenty of food, lodging, and entertainment choices. Its charm lies in the quaint historic downtown district. In addition to the remaining hot springs-fed spas, there are a large number of interesting small retail shops and eateries available. We highly recommend The Pancake Shop (it closes at 1PM).
Make sure to take the National Park Service’ free tour of a well-preserved historic spa. This facility is now over 100 years old and provides a fascinating visit into the not-so-distant past. People still come to downtown Hot Springs to fill-up bottles of the spring-fed 147-degree hot water. It’s free! Years ago, the naturally-occurring hot spring water was thought to help cure many ailments in addition to simply helping to relax your muscles and joints. Alas, the “miracle cure” aspect has been debunked but the hot spring waters still offer therapeutic benefits. Spending a few hours in the downtown district is definitely worthwhile!
After a hard-fought match of miniature golf in Hot Springs (I was victorious by just two shots), we departed for our primary destination, Branson, Missouri.
Driving north to Branson via Arkansas can be a challenge. Though US 65 from Conway to Clinton (not named for Bill) is four lanes, the next hour of the drive to the north becomes a two-lane thrill ride for both you and your vehicle. After seeing a sign advising truckers on this section of roadway to utilize a “Runaway Truck Ramp” in the event that the brakes fail, this road contained a few more steep grades and hairpin turns than I had expected.
Suggestion – do not drive this portion of US 65 right after eating a meal!
After reaching Harrison, Arkansas, the road becomes four lanes again and more manageable to navigate the hilly Ozark terrain as we arrived at our primary destination.
Stop #2 – Branson, Missouri
Entering Branson from the south, we stopped to visit College of the Ozarks.
Self-nicknamed “Hard Work U.”, this small private university offers every student a chance to work on-campus to earn their tuition, room and board in trade for a four-year degree in a variety of disciplines. The students graduate debt-free! Stop by the visitor center and purchase a jar of fruit preserves (prepared and canned by students) or an ice cream cone (prepared at the school’s dairy – run by students). The adjoining hotel is simply first class and (you guessed it) is run by students, too! Amazing place!
Getting around in Branson has never been very easy. Our last visit was nearly thirty years ago when our sons were young. If you are patient enough to drive along State Highway 76, you will s-l-o-w-l-y get a chance to see any number of the hokey and amusing tourist traps in this family-friendly town. One of the newer attractions is a replica of the Titanic. A friend recently advised that as you leave the attraction, you will find out whether you would have perished in the sinking passenger ship or were a lucky survivor. Yikes! Whatever floats your boat, eh?
Then there’s the terrific family theme park called Silver Dollar City.
For my money, this park is much more entertaining and pleasant (and cheaper) than either Disney World or Universal Studios in Florida. Though the roller coaster options have really improved in recent years, the charm of this park remains in its laid-back tree-lined atmosphere. You can always find a free music or entertainment show to get out of the heat. Make sure to take the classic train ride at Silver Dollar City. It features a hilarious five minute stop for a bungled attempted train robbery by a couple of pun-slinging local outlaws.
A big surprise in Branson was the renovated downtown district now called Branson Landing. It is located on the east side of US 65. This modern district is filled with luxury hotels, name brand retail shops and eateries, and a gorgeous riverfront boardwalk featuring dancing waters. If you want to plunk down $25 apiece, you may have a zip line pull you and a friend backwards for several hundred yards over the river and up a very steep cliff on the other side. After hanging there for seconds (which probably seems like an eternity), you are released to zip back across the river to the starting point. My wife and I were more than happy to watch others do just that! Finally, it was on to our final destination.
Stop #3 – Tulsa and the Green Country of NE Oklahoma
Instead of driving more two lane roads through the Ozarks, we headed to the Tulsa/Bartlesville area of northeastern Oklahoma north via Springfield and west on I-44. After having lunch in Tulsa with a former co-worker/long-time friend and his lovely wife, they suggested that we check-out the city’s huge new outdoor park called “The Gathering Place”.
This new park (built a few years ago) is along Riverside Drive near 31st Street. Several wealthy benefactors and many in the Tulsa business community have created an incredible (did I say, “Free”?) park featuring tons of things to do for the youngest kids, teens, and parents and grandparents. This park felt incredibly safe to walk and seamlessly spans several city blocks with two new tunnels leading local traffic underneath this incredible community undertaking. You’ll want to spend at least a couple of hours here!
Before returning to the lowlands of our residence, our final day in Oklahoma involved a visit to Pawhuska’s downtown district for lunch at Food Network’s Pioneer Woman restaurant.
I might have been outnumbered by females at least 4-to-1 at the “The Mercantile”. The food at this cozy establishment was both plentiful and quite filling. It was definitely worth the visit.
We then detoured about 20 miles to the southeast and visited a unique place called Woolaroc.
Formerly the retreat of Bartlesville, Oklahoma oilman Frank Phillips (as in Phillips Petroleum), this huge 3,700 acre spread features herds of bison, horses, and other wildlife roaming within the property’s fences as you drive back to the primary parking area. The incredible museum has several large galleries featuring Western art and artifacts unique to this part of the country. There were several other areas within Woolaroc (named for the woods, lake, and rocks), but we had only budgeted two hours for this visit. We shall return!
Our return trip back home to the swamplands featured a few peaceful hours driving south on Oklahoma’s Indian Nation Turnpike.
Though this road goes through a very scenic part of the state, the speed limit has been raised to 80 MPH. My little Honda was being passed by just about everyone. With gasoline averaging about $4.50/gallon during our trip, I was quite willing to sacrifice a little speed for a few additional miles per gallon.
Yes, I AM that cheap!
After a two-year wait for a legit vacation, we had a really good time. Hope that you will have an opportunity to get out for a little vacation soon, too.
It’s time for me to get back to covering the world of sports!