Unexpected Hippie-dom in Northwest Arkansas

I was told by Daniel Sparler that I had to visit Eureka Springs, a town founded by hippies, full of liberals, gays, magic crystals, great restaurants and Bed and Breakfasts.  It was true!  We stayed there for two days, arriving during their first of THREE Pride weekends!  On the front page of the local paper was a story about two guys who owned a glass jewelry store and were celebrating their marriage after 17 years together.

We didn't do much in Eureka Springs except visit the very haunted Crescent Hotel, allegedly one of the most haunted hotels in the US.  Read about America's most haunted hotel!
Apparently, the hotel used to be a bogus cancer hospital, where patients were kept prisoner and tortured.  It was like something out of American Horror Story, that show I was too scared to watch.  I got a pedicure at their spa, which used to be the bowling alley, and got out of there right quick.  They were also having an Earth Day fundraiser haircut-a-thon and bake sale, so Matt got his hair cut and bought a couple of cinnamon rolls.  We walked around the lovely streets and shops, and had coffee with Tom Morris, Arkansas resident and friend of Daniel.

I still hadn't really seen a lot of typical southern stuff, but once we started driving down highway 7, the oldest scenic byway in the US, I did see a bunch of houses flying the Confederate flag and a lot of churches with names like Jesus' Holy Name Pentecostal Church, but of course we didn't stop to talk to any of the folks.  We just kept driving, listening to old-timey gospel music to feel the mood of the Ozark mountains.  I did see a giant Bill Clinton head chainsaw sculpture, which was very lively and heartening.  Not sure I'd want it in my yard, but maybe.

We are now in the town of Hot Springs after a delightful drive.  This is the old bathhouse town, where people came from miles around for the healing waters, just like in "The Cure" starring Charlie Chaplin.  Tomorrow we will take a tour of the original bathhouses, and then enjoy some of the healing waters ourselves, before perhaps eating at Bill Clinton's (former) favorite restaurant (before he became vegan).  I wonder if he ever cheats.  Cheats?  Get it?