Stop and Smell the Roses

In this world of hopping on a plane and heading anywhere for a vacation I decided that a road trip every now and then is a smell the roses kind of way to relax. It’s not just two endpoints but a daily immersion into a journey.

Back in 2023 I decided to travel the highways and end up in Chicago. It was fun to map out the days and decide how far to drive and where I would rest our head each night. I even drove some of the famous Route 66.

Heading East my first stop was White Sands National Park in New Mexico. I traveled this road many times on my way to Santa Fe but instead of heading North from Las Cruces you head Northeast. This park is amazing. You can even sled down the dunes.

I spent the night in Alamogordo and had dinner at the D.H. Lescombs winery bistro. Who knew that great wine was to be had in the high desert.

Driving across the Panhandle of Texas is ... boring but we wanted to get to Eureka Springs Arkansas and didn't really see anything on that stretch that looked interesting for a special stop. Tucumcari was interesting to drive through as well as lunch at Del's Restaurant.

I had never been in Arkansas before and high in the mountains our destination was the Crescent Hotel and Spa, a Victorian hotel perched up high with streets so steep you felt like the car would fall backwards as you drove up them. It didn't disappoint. Very quaint and so cool in the mountains. Sitting outside you saw the tops of the trees.

I also found a gem "museum" close by Eureka. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is not to be missed. And I think it was nowhere near completion when I was there. They had a great Chihuly installation.

Also got to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright's Bachman-Wilson House.

The roads then took us towards Illinois. Had to stop for a tour of the Fantastic Caverns in Springfield Mo.

Nice to drive so close to the famous arches in St Louis. And happy to get to the Inn at 835 Boutique Hotel in Springfield IL - a really charming 1909 Arts and Crafts style home made into a B&B. We spent the whole next day visiting Lincoln historic sites. The Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is not to be missed.

From Springfield it was just a short drive into Chicago and the beginning of part 2 of the vacation.

I'm so glad to have had this experience.

Thanks for being here.

Here’s a playlist for your next trip.

Louise x