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-   -   Blanchard Springs Cavern, Arkansas (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/blanchard-springs-cavern-arkansas-914079/)

spirobulldog Jan 2nd, 2012 09:53 AM

Blanchard Springs is about 1.5-2 hrs to Pedestal Rock and then another hour to Glory Hole Falls. Glory Hole Falls is not far from Fallsville.

I can provide directions to both if you need them. Pedestal Rock isn't that hard to find, but Glory Hole doesn't even have a sign.

Some people really like Eureka Springs and others don't. We fall in the don't category. It is a very liveral town for Arkansas and the area. There is a couple of goods spots to eat. I don't know if in Feb. much is open then or not there.

Hopefully it will rain right before you come. It's a little bit dry here, so the falls are probably just going a bit. if you look at www.buffaloriver.com you can tell how good the water is going. The less airspace at the bridge, the more the waterfalls will be going.


One other thing. You might consider going to Bentonville to see Crystal Springs Museum. We aren't museum/art people, but since this one is free we went to it last week and really enjoyed it. Decent cafe/restaurant in it too. This place is like a 700 million dollar gift from Alice Walton(walmart)that just opened about a month ago.

jayne1973 Jan 3rd, 2012 05:13 AM

Thanks for that tip on checking the airspace. Looked like a lot yesterday -- 26 inches. But who knows by mid February?

This is a trip from Dallas to do a little Arkansas and loop back on some of Route 66 in Oklahoma. I have looked into Eureka Springs and definitely want to spend some time there.

So, my question at this point is regarding the hikes. Assuming we are coming from the Little Rock or Hot Springs area, are the hikes before or after Blanchard Springs on our way to Eureka Springs? Knowing that will help us figure out how we might fit them into our itenerary.

spirobulldog Jan 3rd, 2012 05:56 AM

I would do Blanchard Springs first then the hikes then on to Eureka Springs.

use google maps for good directions--
type in Pedestal Rock loop and Blanchard Springs

and for Glory Hole Falls use Fallsville, Arkansas for a reference point. The trailhead is actually about 5 or 6 miles or so east of Fallsville.

http://www.takemytrip.com/09southeast/08n_51a.htm
here is a website with directions and photos of where to start the hike at GH falls. this isn't my website


My favorite stop on Rt 66 in Oklahoma is Pops 66. It is a cafe/gas station in the middle of nowhere, but it is huge and fairly new building that is cool. It has over 500 varieties of soda. My favorite is Bulldog Rt. Beer(usually one of the top rated rt beers in the world). They don't always have it though. They have like 100 different rt beers. If you like bread pudding, try their rt beer bread pudding.

I am in a small town in OK, right across the border from Ft. Smith, btw. We go to D several times a year.

jayne1973 Jan 4th, 2012 08:48 AM

Thanks so much for all your help, Spiro! Root beer bread pudding? Wow!

Nothing like a road trip!!!

spirobulldog Feb 2nd, 2012 03:50 PM

I an going hiking this weekend as it is supposed to rain here a lot tomorrow.

Here are some good places to eat in Oklahoma
In Tulsa:
Kupcakz

On Route 66
Pops 66 (I mentioned it already)

In Oklahoma City
Big Truck Taco
Mutt's Amazing Hot Dogs
The two above are owned by the same people. Big Truck is amazing and my favorite. It was originally in a truck but now is in an old Sonic location. The hot do joint is good too. They even have Kobe hot dogs. Take a look at the menu. They have a cajun dog-it is andouille sausage, then topped with crawfish, fried okra and creole mustard. All their dogs are this creative.
Cattlemens Steakhouse
The best Mountain Oysters on the planet.


I don't know if I mentioned this earlier. But Crystal Bridges Museum is really good and their cafe is great too. Expect to spend 3 hours or so there. It is FREE. Cafe is open for lunch and has really odd hours for dinner. Like they are only open for dinner on Mon and Thurs or something like that. This is in Northwest Arkansas and is really good museum for this area.

spirobulldog Feb 12th, 2012 06:23 PM

Jayne, If you happen to be in the Buffalo River area tomorrow it is supposed to snow there a pretty good bit. I think the premier hike in the snow would be to a place called Hawkbill Crag AKA Whitaker Point. A photo of it was featured on the front of Rand McNally main road atlus 6 or 7 years ago. I am pretty sure that Tim Ernst, the guy I mentioned earlier, was the photographer.

Ozarksbill Feb 13th, 2012 02:23 PM

spirobulldog, on 66 how about The Rock Cafe in Stroud?
Thinking of OK anyone else been to the Woody Guthrie Festival?
Bill in Boston

spirobulldog Feb 13th, 2012 02:50 PM

I've never been to either of them. Lived in Oklahoma for 45 years. lol. I don't know that I've ever even been thru Stroud.


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