Another Perspective
- John-Michael Scurio
- 28 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Recently, my brother Joseph and sis-in-law, Denise, visited Eureka Springs (to celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary, and to spend time with myself, Jeff and Kirby) and they absolutely loved it.
For me, it was a wonderful, new fresh vantage point to experience and observe Eureka Springs through their eyes. It was another perspective that didn't exist in my life journey until they showed me Eureka Springs through their eyes - and this perspective deepens the love that I have for this place.
Eureka Springs was founded and named on July 4, 1879, The City of Eureka Springs, Arkansas has welcomed visitors for decades. Although our little mountain town is known today for our incredible architecture, arts/events, history, antiques & shopping, as well as the great outdoors, the original draw was simply - natural spring water. As the story is often told . . . early Native American tribes believed that the cold mountain spring water that flows through these hills could cure ailments of all kinds, and for this reason all that surrounded was deemed sacred. It was not long after the discovery of the healing water when health-seekers deemed these hills to be full of miracle cures and flocked to the area by the thousands during Victorian times, thus creating this stylish mountain retreat that you may still come to experience, even today. Here, we remain perfectly perched in these beautiful Ozarks surrounded by the grand, green curves of Mother Nature and we truly believe that this place is sacred.
Denise is beautifully connected to nature. She loves being outside, hiking, kayaking, walking, basking, sun bathing. She is certainly outdoorsey.
We decided to visit Spider Creek Resort and book a canoe trip giving them the experience of floating the White River, which is basically in our backyard. Jeff and I have experienced this a couple of times already, since moving here in June 2018, but since it's so beautiful and relaxing, we jumped at the chance to do it again .. .. .. and with them, of course.
If you haven't floated the White River in Eureka Springs, you're missing out. Not only does Spider Creek Resort make it wildly easy, it's up to you how you experience the river.
Here's a hot local tip: Visit Scott at Eureka Charcuterie and get him to pack you a picnic lunch. Be sure to get his amazing "cured in-house" charcuterie, along with cheese and wine. All of his selections are top-notch. Then, when you're about halfway down the river, pull over and picnic. It's a delight. Then, after the picnic, float the rest of the way back to Spider Creek Resort.
Since the early 1930’s, the Spider Creek Resort has shared its beauty and accommodations with families through several generations. Early young visitors are now seeing their grandchildren catching their first string of trout and enjoying the resort as they did many years ago. It's a spectacular experience overall.
Prior to our float, we decided to visit Harold's for breakfast and WOW - this place blew my mind.
When Cody and Josh first opened, I spend some time with them and interviewed them for a blog-post to promote their new place.
To see how far this passion move has evolved for them is totally rad. These guys are killing the breakfast scene in Eureka Springs. If you haven't had breakfast here, this is a must try. My brother Joseph is still dreaming about the jalapeno hollandaise.
Harold's is one of those cozy little joints in America that when you visit, you get "all the feels." I feel like it's an episode away from Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives" show on The Food Network.
Guy, if you are reading this, you have to make the journey to experience this place. It is absolutely episode-worthy.
Burlesque
Another highlight during this visit was The House of Burlesque at The Quarter on Spring, a multi-functional space nestled below the New Orleans Hotel.
The House of Burlesque is where the art of tease meets the thrill of the stage in an unforgettable underground experience. This intoxicating blend of professional choreography, powerhouse vocalists, sharp-witted comedy and breathtaking acrobatics ignites the night with raw energy and irresistible charm.
If you haven't experienced The House of Burlesque at The New Orleans Hotel in Eureka Springs, this is something to consider for your next visit.
Here's a hot local tip: The House of Burlesque takes pride in presenting a new show every time. Their marking materials promote this - "don't miss out on what's beneath the surface. You will never see the same show twice."
HOME is a dance studio nestled in the heart of historic Eureka Springs, designed as a sanctuary for our community to embrace movement in a supportive environment. We offer a comprehensive program for both youth and adults, catering to diverse skill levels and interests. Our intimate setting fosters a personalized learning experience, ensuring that each participant feels valued and encouraged to explore their individual dance journey. At HOME, we believe in the power of dance to unite and uplift, providing a recreational outlet that enhances well-being and creativity for all ages.
Charleigh France, the founder of House Of Movement Eureka, brings over 20 years of professional experience to our community, igniting a vibrant passion for dance. With a deep commitment to mentoring and empowering individuals from all walks of life, she is excited to cultivate an inclusive environment where everyone can discover their rhythm and express themselves through movement. Charleigh's vision is to enhance the local artistic landscape by offering diverse dance opportunities that inspire creativity and foster connection among community members. Welcome HOME…
Eureka Springs, AR
One visit is all it will take for you to feel that hard-to-explain, magical tug on your soul - connecting you to this corner of the world.
Nowadays, it remains to be said that the rejuvenating spring waters that continue to flow below the downtown Historic District of Eureka Springs, Arkansas and the surrounding Historic Loop continue to emit these mystical, magical energies that tug at your soul, ground you and connect you.
The connection is real.
The weekend that Joe and Denise visited happened to be the same weekend Billo, from The New Delhi, was celebrating his birthday.
My brother Joe and sis-in-law loved The New Delhi and Billo. (how can anyone not love Billo?) His energy is infectious and his in-house made jello-shots give everyone college vibes.
We had an absolute blast celebrating with him. Happy Birthday, Billo! (and many more)
In the end, Joe and Denise visiting us here in Eureka Springs provided us with a new perspective. Fresh eyes, new joy spotting opportunities, lots of ooohs and aaaahs. The thing about life is that, over time, we get used to our surroundings and we tend to take them for granted. Having visitors helps us to see things from another perspective.
Taking Joe and Denise around to see the places, do the things and meet the people reminded us of those good vibes we had the very first time we rolled into town.
This place has something. The connection is real.
So, in the end, Kirby says his farewells and Joe and Denise are soon 33,000 feet in the air blasting back to my home state of Massachusetts. (They live in Peabody, MA, the city next to Salem, MA.)
"Don't Forget to Remember"
Jeff always says this phrase to me when we're out experiencing life together - "Don't forget to remember."
When he says it, he's referring to those feelings (butterflies in the stomach) that happen when we first meet that special someone and we feel all the things going on inside of us that drive the connection forward with that special person.
Usually, when he says this phrase to me, it's about our relationship and those butterflies in the stomach moments that happen, but this time around, when he said it, I got it in a whole new way. Eureka Springs is all around us all the time. In this particular moment, his "don't forget to remember" resonated in a way that connected me to those butterflies we felt when we first moved here, and couldn't get enough of those first feelings we had when we turned every corner, met every person and awed every vista.
This is Arkansas. This is Eureka Springs.
Get here. Retreat yourself!❤️
