CinnamonSugar’s Trip to the Ozarks

[CinnamonSugar]

The gardens I went to next were nice. Strolling down forested walk-ways, over streams, past glades of ferns…. A few pics,,,






By the time I left at 3pm, the sky was lowering and it started raining. So I relaxed the rest of the day with a good book and took myself out for veggie pizza

 

[Paco Dennis]

We vacationed/camped one year in the Ozarks. We got lost driving somewhere and found ourselves on a very bad dirt road. We finally saw a farm, so we asked an old farmer where we were and how to get back to a main road. He says, " Welcome to nowhere land." We were so lost that it took an hour to get straightened out.

I fished for trout and caught bass. There were Copperhead snakes we had to be careful of, plus the scorpions. It was 95F and the streams were 75F to cool off. Not. We had to boil our water before consuming it because the well leaked. If there wasn't a mosquito biting you, you only had to wait a second or two for one to start sucking your blood.

A highlight is one time we got lost again, and stopped at a garage to ask for directions. Gospel music was blaring, and a hillbilly couple owned it. They were caricatures of Ellie Mae and Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies still living in the sticks. She was dressed ( almost ) and he talked in an accent like it was Chinese.

I have hesitated to post this while you were having a nice trip and didn't want to upset you. But, today I feel like who the hell cares anymore about doing what is right. I have completely lost the ability to know how to play the game without being penalized. So I am giving you our actual experience.

The Ozarks are known for the very poor people and land. I was wondering why you chose to go there. It sounds like you planned your trip a little better than we did.

 

[CinnamonSugar]

We vacationed/camped one year in the Ozarks. We got lost driving somewhere and found ourselves on a very bad dirt road. We finally saw a farm, so we asked an old farmer where we were and how to get back to a main road. He says, " Welcome to nowhere land." We were so lost that it took an hour to get straightened out.

I fished for trout and caught bass. There were Copperhead snakes we had to be careful of, plus the scorpions. It was 95F and the streams were 75F to cool off. Not. We had to boil our water before consuming it because the well leaked. If there wasn't a mosquito biting you, you only had to wait a second or two for one to start sucking your blood.

A highlight is one time we got lost again, and stopped at a garage to ask for directions. Gospel music was blaring, and a hillbilly couple owned it. They were caricatures of Ellie Mae and Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies still living in the sticks. She was dressed ( almost ) and he talked in an accent like it was Chinese.

I have hesitated to post this while you were having a nice trip and didn't want to upset you. But, today I feel like who the hell cares anymore about doing what is right. I have completely lost the ability to know how to play the game without being penalized. So I am giving you our actual experience.

The Ozarks are known for the very poor people and land. I was wondering why you chose to go there. It sounds like you planned your trip a little better than we did.

Hey @Paco Dennis, believe me, having been a home-visiting nurse for many years in the rural south, I have seen it all and I mean ALL. There are times we’d shake our heads and say, “You can’t make this stuff up”

 

[StarSong]

Hey @Paco Dennis, believe me, having been a home-visiting nurse for many years in the rural south, I have seen it all and I mean ALL. There are times we’d shake our heads and say, “You can’t make this stuff up”

I met some visiting nurses about ten years ago and thought that was such a great career decision. You must have some stories that would curl our hair!

 

[CinnamonSugar]

Checking out if my hotel a day early…. Although supposed to be non-fundable, the lady at the desk did refund this in-used night, so that’s a blessing

It’s supposed to rain here all day, so no mountain vistas to take in as I’d hoped. This is as close as I got the first day I was here:


So, taking a more southern route home. Talk to y’all this evening

 

[CinnamonSugar]

Taking a stretch break just over the Louisiana line

 

[CinnamonSugar]

Yesterday as I traveled south from Arkansas to Louisiana, I passed signs for the town of Smackover, AR . So of course I had to research *that*. Hahaha

According to the town’s website…. When land grant settlers settled the Smackover area in the early 1830's, Sumac Couvert (meaning covered in dense sumac vegetation) was quickly Anglicized to Smackover

At least it didn’t turn into Smackdown, haha

Now I’m about 2/3’s if the way across Mississippi, enjoying a veggie panini and a cafe au lait at a local eatery. Very good !

 

[hollydolly]

Smackover AR... ..

 

[CinnamonSugar]

Smackover AR... ..

You can put that under the Americana file

 

[CinnamonSugar]

Well I’ve just had the most interesting experience….

Camped out in motel room in central Alabama, decided I better get some supper. Only restaurants open were fast food and a place called Mr Waffle. Ok, I can do breakfast for supper…

I got to the tiny place (weren’t even a dozen tables + the swivel chairs at the counter) and it was like stepping onto a movie set for a ‘diner.’ Blue tile floors, booths with orange, hard plastic seats. The old style coffee maker (actual glass pots keeping warm on tiered burners— not a cappuccino machine in sight), worn table tops and one busy waitress, who did everything but have a pencil stick in her hair bun. Everyone was “darlin’”.

Apparently everyone in there (all elderly) were regulars. One brought her and her husband’s own coffee cups… she filled their cups herself behind the counter. One man had in a cowboy hat, another a Vietnam vet’s ball cap. One gentleman had a thick white beard that would have made any 18th century sea captain proud; he just needed a nor’easter.

They talked across the aisle to each other and sometimes went and sat with the other patrons for a min. Necks were hugged. The waitress didn’t even take orders, she just brought plates and checked if they needed more coffee.

I had one waffle and two strips of ‘bacon’— thickest cut bacon I’ve ever had. @hollydolly, I think these qualified as rashers, they certainly weren’t our typical ‘streaky’ bacon!

There was a (college, I think) football game on the one tv, perched up high and around the corner. I didn’t even realize it was there til I heard what sounded like a band playing “God Bless America” (at first I thought it was a slightly off-key rendition of “God Save the Queen” lol). But it didn’t interfere with the conversation; these folks were obviously comfortable with each other.

At one point the couple on the table in front of me finished and the waitress took time to help the lady into her wheelchair from the booth and wheeled her to her car.

Salt of the earth folks around here. I’m glad I had supper at Mr Waffle!

 

[hollydolly]

....you mean all of American restaurants are not like that ?... what are they showing us on tv ?

Sounds like Larry's country Diner.. are you familiar with that ?

bacon rashers..

Pork rashers....

 

[CinnamonSugar]

....you mean all of American restaurants are not like that ?... what are they showing us on tv ?

Sounds like Larry's country Diner.. are you familiar with that ?

bacon rashers..

Pork rashers....

Never seen the Larry’s diner show but the singers would have fit right in.

And I definitely had “bacon rashers”— same shape exactly