Saturday, June 2, 2012

Our Last Day

Yesterday was an adventure - or rather a mis-adventure - but more on that later.  Mom and I were up-and-at-em and on Main Street at 10 o'clock when the shops opened.  We visited several and made small purchases.  Then, at the last one, I hit paydirt.  Or I think I did.  At least I found something that jumped off the shelf at me and - after a little consideration - I paid an arm and a leg for this wonderful piece of the unusual at Back in Time Antiques - 10,000 square feet of antiques!

I have yet to figure out what CMT&DA stands for and what they celebrated in 1910, but I will certainly enjoy having this beauty on my desk.

After shopping we were headed for the grocery store when we spotted some shops we had not taken time to visit the evening before.  They were in an L shape, 6 buildings, some connected, and looked like this.





Natalie's is where we ate lunch - sitting out doors.  Mom had meatloaf and I had a bean salad.  Excellent food and a very interesting place. O! I had a white cake with chocolate icing and the surprise was almond flavoring in the chocolate.  Mmmmmm.

Now our mis-adventure begins.  Leaving Batesville on the way to Mountain View, Mom says the navigator (that would be moi) directed her to go on a road that eventually did not lead to the northwest.  Since Mom's car has a compass in it, I shoulda looked at it miles and miles sooner to notice that we were heading southeast.  I guess my excuse is (take your pick) . . . getting old, getting tired, thinking about something else rather than directions - or I could blame it on the Arkansas roadway department who apparently spare all expense putting up road signs.  I hardly ever knew which highway we were on due to lack of information from aforesaid government service.

Our 'eventually' turned out to be Heber Springs which was fine with us.  We found the Jitterbug coffee house and had an ice cream cone while admiring their music and decor.  We also found a little shop around the corner that was lovely and had home-made baked goods which we managed to resist since we were still enjoying our lunch at Natalie's.

After that, on track to Conway to spend the night, we swung into this parking lot.



It took us a while to look at everything inside and out, but I think we were most fascinated with the porch and it's holdings.

Then on to Conway, passing a dozen more antique malls and flea markets that will have to wait for another time.

Saturday we'll work our way home.