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spring in the Ozarks…

April 12, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 20 Comments

Childhood drives through the Ozarks happened only in summer when our perfect lake was surrounded by fifty shades of green with black-eyed Susans dotting the roadside. Lately it seems, I spend more time in the Ozarks during fall and winter. Fall is the most brilliant time of the year. The mountains are alive, and the very landscape provides inspiration. I appreciate winter too. The grace and gray of a cold Ozark morning provides a calm, serene backdrop for writing.

But yesterday as I drove to Eureka Springs, I realized I’ve never visited the Ozarks during early spring. And I have a good reason…spring is the best time not to leave Dallas. Dallasites know to soak up spring in Texas before summer settles in, hangs on, wrings every drop of energy from every living thing. Even so, I left a breezy 75 degree spring Dallas morning and headed to the Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow.

Sometimes writers need to get away to write.

My writer friend Tom from New Hampshire joined me which made the drive more entertaining. We talked about writing because we are addicted. We stopped in Oklahoma and took pictures of random things. Because that’s what addicted bloggers do.

Spring has even found Oklahoma.

Oklahoma bluebonnets

We made a quick stop in Fayetteville mainly so I could lay eyes on my handsome son. Driving into our Fayetteville driveway, I received a delightful welcome back surprise from Mother Nature…tulips! In the two years John and I have owned this house, we’ve never seen evidence of tulips. 

Fayetteville tulips

The Fayetteville I’d begun only to think of as fiery orange and red was painted the colors of Easter. Pink redbuds decorated the mountainside. Clumps of daffodils blossomed thick along sidewalks and along highways. Sprays of forsythia bloomed underneath giant oaks. It was hard to concentrate on the road. (Especially with Tom snoozing…)

We made it to Eureka Springs just in time for supper. And believe me, mealtime at Dairy Hollow is not something to miss. Our friend Dorothy (from Little Rock) was already checked in and writing. After an amazing meal, Tom disappeared to write while Dorothy and I sat on the deck overlooking a hollow (THE hollow I suppose).  We enjoyed a glass of wine and discussed how blessed we are to spend time at this magical place, especially in spring. 

Ozark Spring

Grace Grits and Gardening

“That is one good thing about this world…there are always sure to be more springs.”
― L.M. Montgomery

Filed Under: Arkansas, Nature & Seasons, Travel Tagged With: Dairy Hollow, Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Forsythia, Ozarks, spring

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Comments

  1. Jen says

    April 12, 2014 at 8:26 am

    I can’t be there for another month and six days. lol. Tell Tom and Dorothy hello for me please. Next time you drive through Oklahoma, gives me a heads-up. I know you don’t get near Ada, but I could meet you somewhere and would live to buy you lunch.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 12, 2014 at 8:43 am

      Thanks Jen! Maybe our Dairy Hollow paths will cross again in the near future.

      Reply
  2. Staci says

    April 12, 2014 at 9:38 am

    Looks great! I’m enjoying one of our few breezy mornings reading by the pool with my coffee. Have a great week!

    Reply
  3. Michelle Liew says

    April 12, 2014 at 9:45 am

    Beautiful pics, Tayla!!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 12, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks Michelle!

      Reply
  4. Bryan Jones says

    April 12, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    digging the pics, especially the redbud tree, have to get me one because that’s truly when spring has arrived for me!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 12, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      I wish I had a redbud tree in Dallas… Thanks Bryan!

      Reply
  5. Hope G says

    April 12, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    There is nothing ore beautiful than the Ozarks coming to life after a long brutal winter. When I would drive to Winslow from Fayetteville, the sight of colour on the hills was enough to lift me out of the darkness and remind me that there can be new beginnings!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 12, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      So true! Thanks Hope.

      Reply
  6. Colene says

    April 12, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Enjoy your stay in the Ozarks and write, write, write!

    Reply
  7. Martha Orlando says

    April 12, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    What gorgeous photos and a promising weekend of writing. Enjoy!

    Reply
  8. Aditi says

    April 12, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    Wow! gorgeous post…..I love these spring colours!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 12, 2014 at 4:58 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  9. Kim says

    April 13, 2014 at 11:40 am

    I remember back in the 80’s and then again in the 90’s when we took a drive up in the Ozarks. WOW – such a beautiful place. I hope to do it again next month when I go to the SoFabCon.

    Reply
  10. Jennifer says

    April 13, 2014 at 11:51 am

    Gorgeous!! And spring is definitely my favorite season, no matter where I’ve lived!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 13, 2014 at 5:17 pm

      I love spring and fall – can’t really choose between the two.

      Reply
  11. Paige Lorrabeth says

    April 13, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    It truly is beautiful out there!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 13, 2014 at 5:16 pm

      Yes it is! Thanks:))

      Reply
  12. Joyce says

    April 13, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    Looks like spring is treating you right. A lot of my flowers bloomed too early and died this year.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 14, 2014 at 6:30 am

      Eureka Springs is getting a hard freeze tonight. The flowers will suffer:(

      Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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