Getting ready to hit the road after an afternoon of hiking at Petit Jean State Park, the friendly staff at the Mather Lodge recommended driving the Scenic 7 Byway to Hot Springs. So we did. The eight other cars we saw travelling on the road doesn't even count as traffic.
Coming from Los Angeles,
this road was pure joy to drive. This fun driving, roller coaster of a road had
us winding through the landscape of central Arkansas: Stunning vistas with
soaring birds, trees, lakes, bridges crossing river/creeks, bucolic fields
filled with cows and rolled hay bales, yellow flowers, and gigantic spider
webs. All of the scenery is classified under the "wow" category.
We arrived in Hot Springs at dusk and famished.
BBQ was on the list.
Established in 1928, family owned McClard's Bar-B-Q became our dinner destination.
Our restaurant choice did not disappoint. YUM! Not being able to decide, we settled on a sampling of items: Pork ribs, sliced beef with a nice slathering of sauce, a bit of ham, potato salad, and some of the most amazing coleslaw I have ever tasted.
To wash down all the deliciousness, I sipped the Day-Drinker beer I had ordered. It was at this point, I fell in love. A Stella fan from
time beginning, I now have a new favorite. It is a long distance love affair at
this point as the Lost 40 Brewery in Little Rock have yet to acquire
distribution rights in California for this tasty beverage. Sigh.
