This was our second day of our “Wild, Wacky Adventure” in Arkansas and Oklahoma. I knew that travel from point A to point B would be easy if I followed the interstate, but that would be too easy. Instead, we opted go the long way from Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton to Fayetteville, AR via Scenic Byway 7 through Jasper and head through Eureka Springs, make a quick detour in Missouri, and then head south to Fayetteville.

Scenic Highway 7

When we left Petit Jean, we went out the back way through Dardanelle and Russellville to get to Hwy 7. This north-south highway was first state designated scenic highway and I could see why. First it twists and turns and goes up and down a lot. We stopped at one of the first rest stops in Arkansas. The wives of Rotary Club members, fondly called Rotary Anns, got the restroom built in the 1930’s.  It’s not a typical rest stop, but a stone structure and picnic tables, which was kept very nice. Yes – there were restrooms too and our first view of the Boston mountains. Signs detailed the history of the road, the rest stop and the mountains.

Arkansas Grand Canyon

Before we got to Jasper, we stopped at the famous Cliff House Inn & Restaurant. Nestled in the side of the mountain, we had a view of the Arkansas Little Grand Canyon. Not a canyon in the sense of rocks, but more of a canyon of green trees. An outdoor deck with hanging baskets of flowers offered more views. (more…)