Road Runners visit the Arkansas Mountains

The Arkansas Art Getaway trip. Photo by Don Duff

The Arkansas Art Getaway trip. Photo by Don Duff

Peggy Crandell

In October, 27 Road Runner members traveled to Arkansas for a two-night “Art Getaway.” The Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville thrilled us with not only their impressive art collection but also the magnificent structure and design nestled in a beautiful wooded setting. We enjoyed lunch at their Eleven Café while taking in the lovely forest surrounding us. While we went from gallery to gallery, we kept our eyes open for some of the celebrities there that day: Martha Stewart, President Bill Clinton and Emeril Lagasse. Alice Walton, the founder of Crystal Bridges, stopped and chatted with us about the museum and how she made her dream a reality.

After an overview of Bentonville, we dined at Fred Walton’s favorite restaurant that evening. Several other museums, The Museum of Indian Art, The 21C Hotel Art Gallery and The Terra Studios where they make the bluebird of happiness, were on our busy itinerary.

Our motor coach then drove us to the very top of Mt. Magazine, the highest mountain in Arkansas, where we stayed at the wonderful Mount Magazine Lodge. Dining in the Skycrest Restaurant certainly afforded us a breathtaking view during dinner.

Everyone agreed Arkansas is a beautiful state, and most of us would return to spend more time there.