Sept. 10 – 26, 2019
Leaving Ft. Collins meant that we were starting our journey eastward. Our immediate goal was to return to Elk City Oklahoma for more RV upgrades. In researching convenient overnight stops along our route, Bill came across Capulin Volcano National Monument.
Capulin Volcano National Monument
Part of the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field, the Capulin volcano is an extinct symmetrical cinder cone volcano. It rises from the surrounding grassland plains to an elevation of 8,182 feet above sea level. The irregular rim of the crater is about a mile in circumference and the crater is about 400 feet deep. Unfortunately the two mile road that winds from the bottom to the top of the volcano was closed after being washed out by extreme rain runoff.
Our arrival at Capulin RV Park was later than expected, so we didn’t have an opportunity to actually visit the national monument. I did snap a photo as we passed it on the way to the RV park.
Elk City
We were up early the next day and on our way to Elk City. Driving along I-40 through the Texas panhandle, we spotted several race car haulers making their way to Las Vegas for that weekend’s NASCAR race at the Motor Speedway. This one was waiting in line beside us when we stopped for fuel.
As we were setting up for the night at Rolling Retreats (RR) in Elk City, we noticed that at some point along our journey that day our rear off-door side RV window had shattered. We’re not sure when or how it had happened but only a few shards and the closing bar remained. Unfortunately Slade didn’t have a replacement but he ordered one from the factory to be delivered some time in the future. In the meantime, Bill covered the hole with heavy duty plastic and tape. The amazing technicians at RR completed all of the major items on our list and we were on our way to Arkansas three days later.
Table Rock Lake
Our next stop was along the banks of Table Rock Lake at Ozark Luxury RV Resort. All of the sites here are individually owned. We lucked into a premium site (#119) directly overlooking the lake. This nicely landscaped site had plenty of space including a massive outdoor kitchen and bar area (which we didn’t use). Bill had a killer view for enjoying his morning coffee and was occasionally joined by a visitor – beep, beep.
The resort had lots of amenities including a pool, lighted tennis and pickle ball courts, a par 3 golf course, and a marina. Unfortunately we never saw anyone on the pickle ball courts. The only downside to staying here was how far removed the resort is from “civilization”. No matter where you went (30 minutes to the nearest grocery or 40 minutes to Branson), your journey entailed a very twisty road. There’s certainly no opportunity for pizza delivery.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Since we had toured Branson on a previous trip, we decided to concentrate on other locations in the surrounding area. One such location was the Victorian village of Eureka Springs a bit less than an hour west of the resort. There, we walked around town for a while before taking the tram tour. This 90 minute guided tour started on the uppermost level of the town where it stopped at the 1886 Crescent Hotel (known as America’s most haunted hotel).
Built at a cost of $294,00 and opened in May, 1886, the Crescent Hotel was designed and constructed for group travelers of the 1800’s as well as a mountain retreat for wealthy railroad executives and their families drawn by the 63+ natural springs of “healing water”.
In 1902, the hotel was leased to the Frisco Railroad for five years. Due to slow business in the winter, Crescent College opened and provided education to female students until 1934.
Three years later, in 1937, Norman Baker purchased the hotel and remodeled it into the Baker Cancer Clinic. Charlatan by nature, inventor of the Air Calliaphone, promoter of the Madame Pearl Tangley Show, and claiming to have the “cure,” Norman Baker made millions in today’s dollars from cancer sufferers alone. He referred to the Crescent as the “Castle in the Air,” broadcasting over the radio that he could cure cancer without carving patients up. His practices, treatments, and claims helped shape what cancer treatment should not entail. However, it was his method of gaining patients which led to his undoing. In 1940, he was jailed for mail fraud. Ironically, he died of liver cancer in 1978. — Crescent Hotel History
As we continued our tour down to the middle level we passed many beautiful Victorian homes – some perched precariously on the hillside.
We stopped for a tour of one of the natural springs along Spring Street before working our way down to the lowest level of the town along Main Street.
At the conclusion of the tram tour, Bill and I took the opportunity to drive out to Thorncrown Chapel, the dream of Jim Reed, a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Mr. Reed purchased the land in 1971 as the location for his retirement home. After entertaining folks stopping at his property to admire the view of the surrounding Ozark hills, he decided to build a glass chapel that would provide folks a site to relax in an inspiring way. The resulting wooden chapel rises 48 feet into the sky with 425 windows. The floor of the chapel contains over 100 tons of native stone and colored flagstone.
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
On another day we travel about 15 miles (45 minutes) from the RV resort to Dogwood Canyon.
Dogwood Canyon is one of Johnny Morris’ (the founder of Bass Pro Shops) conservation efforts. From an initial purchase of 2,260 acres in 1990, the park has grown to more than 10,000 acres overlapping Missouri and Arkansas. The park encompasses towering bluffs, cascading waterfalls, spring-fed creeks filled with rainbow trout, and handcrafted bridges along 6 1/2 miles of paved trails. Bison, elk, deer, and long-horn cattle are raised in a dedicated pasture area (viewable on the tram tour). The park also contains a working grist mill, a restaurant, and a treehouse built by Pete Nelson and the crew of Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters.
We really enjoyed our visit to Dogwood Canyon. Our tram ride was fun and informative. The park is relaxing and well-maintained. We definitely recommend taking a day out of your Branson vacation to visit this nature park.
Bill’s Birthday
In honor of Bill’s 29th birthday, we went into Branson and had dinner at Level 2 Steakhouse. The meal was wonderful and we capped it off with a glass of 40 year port and a celebratory creme brûlée. Life is good!!
Time to move on
After almost 2 weeks here in the Ozarks, it was time to continue our eastbound trek. Next up, the Volunteer State.
