Spring trips March 2012

GARVAN GARDENS, near Hot Springs:

Gil and I drove to Garvan Gardens to see the tulips on Tuesday this week. The sun was out, the temperature was perfect and the tulips were at their peak. We walked arond the paths looking at the lovely flowers and enjoyed the spring day. There were other people in the garden, but it was not crowded. We had a hard time deciding which tulips were the pretiest.

There were benches along the paths so we stopped often enjoying the view and watching other people who were out doing the same thing. There is a miniature village with a small train running through the buildings. We also enjoyed the short walk to the Chapel made of steel and glass. The bells chiming out on the hour and half hour made the walk so pleasant. That reminded us of the beautiful church bells we often heard in Europe in the various places we lived and visited.

HISTORIC WASHINGTON, AR: Then on Thursday we went with the seniors from our church to Old Washington to tour several of the historic buildings there. The church van was comfortable for the 20 plus people who went. Washington was the Confederate Capital of Arkansas form 1863 to 1865 when the Civil War ended.

We toured several homes built there in the mid 1800s. The town at one time had 14 physicians and 17 attorneys and was on the only road that crossed the State of Arkansas at that time. Three Arkasnas governors came from that little town over the years.

We saw a demonstrtion of weaving testiles in one home, and saw cotton and wollen being carded in another building. "Miss Carrie" greeted us at one home and showed us the kitchen were she prepared meals for the family she served (as a slave in mid 1800s). We visited the local blacksmith shop and then had lunch at the park's tavern/restaurant.

The meal was delicious and very reasonably priced. The small building is capable of serving about 72 people and is open only at lunch each day. The manager says they are closed only 2 days each year, Christmas and New Years Day. The lovely restaurant had original beams in the ceilings, original floors and fireplaces from 1832. The entire tour was very informative and pleasant. Our tour guide, Vickie, told us a lot about the town and its history.

It really was a lovely day for such an outing.