Temporary Seclusion At Beaver Lake

Beaver Lake is in northern Arkansas near Eureka Springs. The landscape is quite different than north central Texas. That’s the main reason we took a trip there recently. A change of scenery. The Ozark Mountains are a geographical challenge for driving and house building, but they offer spectacular views around Beaver Lake.

A light snow arrived on our first full day at the cabin. Just enough to provide a nice white blanket. And enough to cause the squirrels to raid the bird feeder on the deck. I refilled it so the birds could get their fair share.

By the next day the sun was shining, the snow was melting and the temperatures were above freezing. Squirrels, birds and deer were all out snacking as though they hadn’t eaten in months. No doubt they were fearful their stomachs would be empty should the snow return. So they were filling up while the sun was shining.

We did our fair share of eating, too. Hart’s grocery store in Eureka Springs was our bird feeder supplying us with Diet Dr. Pepper, Coke Zero, frozen pizzas, frozen egg rolls, cheese, eggs, bread and various other snackables. Egg sandwiches and lots of laying around. People avoidance was the object of the trip. When you’re at the dead end of CR120 in northern Arkansas - mission accomplished. Just watch for deer darting across the road.

This is the view as we pulled up to our cabin. You can see why leaving is hard. Bring your food and just stay awhile. No need to go into town. DirecTV, wireless Internet, flat-panel TV, big dog shower, swimming pool sized tub, king sized bed, full-blown kitchen - all the things required for you to just stay put.

Life at Beaver Lake ended and it was time to make the trek back home. I never like to make a trip without experiencing horrific weather. One year we went to Ft. Lauderdale - but I waited until we could experience a hurricane. We spent an entire day at The Pillars (our hotel) watching a horizontal rain. I enjoy the challenge of horrible weather. So, it was fitting that we waited until a blizzard was eminent to get back into the car.

By the time we got to I-40 from Fayetteville visibility was about 1/4 of a mile. It made for a very relaxing drive home. At one stretch we made 57 miles in 3 hours. The snow managed to increase what would have been a 7 hour drive into more than a 9 hour drive. By the time we got home I had a ducking headache and needed another getaway.

I’m thinking of just buying an isolation tank in lieu of our next trip. It would be reusable, quiet, plenty of solitude and more cost effective. And best yet - I could climb in it any time I wanted. I wonder how many hours you can spend in one of those contraptions before you go nuts?