As a veteran rail rider who has taken Amtrak more than once cross country and numerous points in between, it was disappointing I couldn’t spare the time to take Amtrak to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. That would have involved an overnight trip to Chicago, a transfer to another train, then finally a bus in order to get a bit closer to Eureka Springs. A minimum of three days of travel and transportation transfers.
Which is why I opted to fly out of Philadelphia Airport via American Eagle to Fayetteville, Arkansas, with only a 60-minute drive or so to the charming, bustling, unique town of Eureka Springs in the Ozarks.
My first trip by plane in several years, and my first trip flying as an octogenarian convinced me … as opposed to train travel, which is easy, comfortable and in most places close to where I want to be, I could never have done this one on my own.
Fortunately, I must have done something right in my life because I have a tall, handsome, well-traveled, patient, kind and most generous grandson, Anthony, who willingly agreed to accompany his Grandmother for a several days visit to the home of my hard-working son Jim and his equally hardworking, ultra creative and ever so beneficent wife, Stacey.
Future stories will highlight the beauty of the Ozarks, the sensation of zip-lining, the history of the Catholic Church you enter through a Bell Tower, the friendliness of everyone from Arthur the waiter at Myrtie Mae’s or Issac, the pre-teen who serves as host and waiter at his family’s Mexican restaurant to the strangers who simply stop to admire the B&B Jim and Stacy have designed and restored to its historic beauty.
There will be a story on the all-glass chapel in the mountains built in the 1970s by the landowner who simply wanted to have a place in the woods to inspire his guests.   And another story about the lions and tigers who have escaped cruel deaths and are now living comfortably and safely at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge when they receive daily mediation, and relaxation in a controlled but comfortable acreage in the mountains.
There will also be a story on the creativity of a couple who had the courage and energy to take a three story building slated for demolition and convert it to a B&B that features everything from a stained glass window over the kitchen sink to a copper pig in the yard that is the couple’s outdoor barbecue pit.
But even the plane trip for a 21st century novice in air travel was memorable.
As a frequent flyer both within the country and internationally, Anthony knows his way around airports and is familiar with all that is offered for the asking, per-arranging or club memberships. Which meant that even though Philadelphia is a large international airport, with numerous open-air parking areas some several miles away, our parking area was covered, and within five minutes of the main terminal by the minibus that arrives at your specific parking place within two minutes of getting luggage and locking the car.
Once inside the terminal, priority attention is sheer luxury. Anthony arranged for his grandmother to zip past the lines waiting to go through security, and had me ensconced in the Admiral’s Club, the area for American Airline travelers that offers comfortable seating at small tables and counters filled to overflowing with buffet delights from fresh Danish, donuts and fresh fruit to eggs, meats, vegetables and more.
When it was time to board the plane, once again, Anthony had arranged for priority passage through the final security point as well as on the plane where fourth row seating was spectacular and easily accessible. One settled in, there was more pampering by an energetic and smiling crew eager to serve whatever beverage you desired, simply to hold you over until the plane was off the ground and breakfast could be served.
Less than three hours after takeoff, the plane landed at Fayetteville, Arkansas, where it was an easy walk through the main terminal to the Hertz car rental desk where Anthony had a car waiting for the hour and half ride through the mountains to Eureka Springs and four days of family fun, new experiences, lots of sights, great restaurants, and an increased appreciation of just how spectacular and diversified the United States and its people are.
