The Ozarks and Eureka Springs

April 6 - 14/ 2015  Onward to Branson, Missouri.   We have hesitated on heading here since the weather is and will be sketchy.    The I44 corridor is known as Tornado Alley;  Branson is south of it about 30 miles.  We are  staying at the Branson KOA. Tip:  on the off season you can easily drive the motor home down the main street of Branson (Country Blvd/Hwy 76 from Hwy 65).  However in busy season we would suggest from our Big Rig Campground book taking the back route in.  Avoid the main drag.  It will be bumper to bumper.  So from Hwy 65 take Hwy 265 W, over the Dam, then right onto Hwy 165 to Animal Safari Road and the KOA.  Lot longer in miles but perhaps quicker since you will not be in stop traffic and have your sanity when you arrive.
The motorcycle riding in the Ozarks is beautiful which is what keeps drawing us to this area every spring if we are close by. 

Table Rock Lake

Weather - Tuesday hot and humid - 82 degrees, stormy looking, humidity 74%.  Riding from Branson, Mo to Eureka Springs, Arkansas through wooded hills and valleys, beside lakes and streams.  Not even an hour away.

Nice sweeping corners, up and down the hills of the back roads

Red Bud trees along the roadside

The redbud trees are blooming roadside everywhere.... forsythia bushes, spring tulips.   Spring is here.  We talked to a fellow at Table Rock State Park and he told us that the lakes never freeze over here in the Ozarks.

Our bike parked downtown - all little unique stores

Eureka Springs is based solely on Tourism.  The entire city is in the National Register of Historic Places, era 1880's.   The city has steep winding streets filled with Victorian-style cottages and manors. 

Coming down the old historic town loop

The buildings are primarily constructed of local stone and lie along streets that curve around the hills and rise and fall with the topography in a five-mile long loop. Some buildings have street-level entrances on more than one floor. 

we weren't sure if this was the entrance to a house or a little cottage itself

Eureka Springs has historically been called "The Little Switzerland of America" and "The Stair step Town" because of its mountainous terrain and the winding, up-and-down paths of its streets and walkways. The streets wind around the town, and no two intersect at a 90 degree angle.

The Stone Cottages for rent

Funny enough we jumped on the Historic Loop and found ourselves driving back and forth around the spaghetti noodle streets.   On the GPS we could see the main street but not see any streets intersecting to get to it !!!!   No wonder!  Eventually we were spit out at the bottom of the loop onto main street. 

Beautiful landscaped old Victorian style home - just one of many to see

Old Crescent hotel - popular spot to stay in Eureka springs