eureka springs

Labor Day weekend my sweet hubby took me for a little getaway to Eureka Springs, Arkansas to celebrate my 30th birthday (a little early). 

We dropped the kids off with Nana and Papa and headed out.

Stopped at a couple of antique stores in small towns along the way...

We checked in at our bed and breakfast, anxious to see what it was like...

It was a great pick! So cute and felt so homey!

We checked out the room (and football games), 

the softest robes ever, and a relaxing deck - the PERFECT spot to sit and read before breakfast on the first Fall morning of the year!!  It was delightful!  I felt like it was a birthday present from God, just for me (okay I know we've all been waiting.  But fall is my favorite and there could not have been a better weekend to give us the first taste of fall - well except for Bluegrass weekend!) 

and then off to dinner.

We had looked up some great spots to eat, and then asked our host at the bed and breakfast what her suggestions were.  Just so happens that she mentioned the exact 3 that we had planned on.

So the first night was Mexican at Casa Colina- lovely outdoor table, hanging off the edge of a hill.

Probably the best enchiladas EVER!

 The next day we saw the town - voted #4 in Best Small Towns in America (so the sign said).

Old historic hotels - supppossedly haunted, and ghost tours given daily.  We passed.

It's named Eureka Springs for a reason.  Spring Street had lots of spots to stop and see the natural springs.

Such a quaint little town with lots of interesting shops.  Definitely not a place where I could spend a lot of money (good thing), but still fun to browse!

Now, this store on the other hand...

if it wasn't for my big tummy right now, I think I could have spent a good amount of money in here!

It was kind of funny seeing lots of old guys sitting all over the benches - while their wives were obviously busy shopping.  This guy is definitely not so old, but he still found a good spot to sit.

He's lucky I'm in and out of stores pretty fast usually.

We had lunch on the balcony of another historic hotel, overlooking the town park.

Seriously, after over 50 some days or triple digit weather - 2 meals outside in the most fabulous weather, was such a treat!

We ate, rested and listened to the guy playing some bluegrass music on stage.

And here is what I was SUPER excited about...

 Thanks to my mom and mother-in-law, my birthday treat was the best facial and massage EVER!

I found a super handsome guy sitting here when I was done.  With a funnel cake waiting for me.

Our next highly recommended dinner spot was Ermelio's Italian Restaurant.

A cute little house in the middle of a neighborhood.

It was a long long wait (1 hour and 45 minutes) - but we were warned and didn't have any other plans, and it was worth it!

We went upstairs to the bar and game area.  There were tons of old-school games to choose from - Sorry, Checkers, Trouble, Operation, lots of card games, you name it - to pass the time.

a few other details...

*we ate gluten free for the first time ever, due to another guest at the bed and breakfast, and besides that, probably ate the most healthy breakfasts in our life!  Turkey bacon, scones, fruit, gluten free pancakes, eggs florentine (that I had a hard time with), turkey sausage - BUT there was also dessert - yes, for breakfast!

*a bluegrass group we like who comes to Winfield was playing there on Saturday night - but at a smoky bar - so we passed and were bummed.  We are spoiled around home with all non-smoking places.

*if we had one more night we would have liked to have gone to the Passion Play

*our room had a hot tub that didn't even get used. oh well.

*the down town shopping district is kind of hilly - my poor hubby was having to walk as slow as her pregnant wife at times.

What I loved the most...

*the bed and breakfast experience

*getting away with no big agenda other than just relaxing and eating

*having the night to waste away in our cozy room - being on the computer, reading, watching football

*my spa appointment

*the weather!

*and of course just getting away with my guy!