Finally We Will Be Off Again 9/29-30/2010

Well they finally got the part for the coach and put it in yesterday and we will be off again on Saturday morning. It only took them 45 minutes to put the part in and the slide out seems to work fine. They do have to change the transmission fluid as we have been checking it and have found tiny bits of metallic flakes in it and they are not sure where they might be coming from so better safe than sorry. We will be heading to Memphis, TN for a 2 night stay and then on to Nashville for a 2 night stay and then on to Sean's in Morristown, TN for a short visit before they head for Africa. We haven't been doing much the past 2 days except reading and watching TV. Like we said not much to do here unless you want to do it over and over again. The pictures on the blog today are from our visit to Eureka Springs.

A couple of the pictures are of the Queen Anne Mansion in Eureka Springs which has a long long history. Built in 1891 by decorated Civil War veteran and mining industry businessman Curtis Wright, The Queen Anne Mansion was a modern marvel of the 19th century and a work of art. From the personal touches including mineral covered gables and limestone facing to the superb craftsmanship of hand carved stone and stained glass, The Queen Anne Mansion remains magnificent in scale and artful in details.

The Architecture

The Queen Anne exemplifies style inside and out. A wraparound porch, moon windows, an asymmetrical roofline, multiple shingle patterns and balconies all work to create a distinctive exterior while the interior showcases a skylight to illuminate the main staircase, massive pocket doors, intricate metalwork, and hand carved woodwork by German and Italian artisans.

The Collection

The Queen Anne Mansion is home to a private collection of 19th century decorative arts which include works by some of the most famous of their craft including works by John Henry Belter and J. & J. Meeks among others. Similar works can be viewed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum. The Queen Anne Mansion provides Mid-America’s most coveted access to such craftsmanship with intimate look at these works of art in their intended setting.

The Gallery

Intimate viewing of art is not restricted to 19th century works. The Queen Anne Mansion features a state-of-the-art gallery that will host rotating cultural exhibits throughout the year. The first such event, coinciding with May Festival of the Arts, is the First Annual Eureka Springs Invitational Art Show during the entire month of May. The show features accomplished artists living in Eureka Springs. The Queen Anne will donate a portion of museum ticket sales to benefit the Eureka Springs Art Council. Future cultural events planned for The Queen Anne Mansion include touring exhibits from respected cultural institutions like the Smithsonian.

The Lore

The Queen Anne Mansion has no shortage of stories from family, friends and remarkable feats. Tours introduce guests to the Wright family and some of their famous friends including Buffalo Bill and best selling early 20th century author, Harold Bell Wright while also recapturing the history of The Queen Anne Mansion’s move. (Originally built in Carthage, Missouri, The Queen Anne was dismantled, moved, and reassembled in the current location in the 1980’s.) The Queen Anne Mansion's first family and their distinctive house guests including Buffalo Bill and Harold Bell Wright.

Well that's about all for now so until we meet again we love and miss you all and can't wait to see our family. Mom & Dad Dori & Dick