September, 2019 | Being There Now

Life! in the Ozarks

I always say I live in the prettiest on the planet planet, the historic Victorian village of Eureka Springs, Arkansas in the Ozark Mountains. If you’ve stopped by my about Beth page, you know I’ve come full circle, from Fayetteville Arkansas where my father was on faculty at the University of Arkansas, to the piney woods of Deep East Texas, to Phoenix, then the Upper East Side of Manhattan, a few years in Dallas and Austin and finally, back to the Ozarks. I’ve loved living in all of those places, but the Ozarks has always felt like home.

We call them the Ozark mountains, but really they’re a series of plateaus worn down over the millennia into spectacular vistas everywhere you look. The Ozarks are also the perfect spot to to find a wealth of travel experiences. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or with your family, you can find symposia and symphonies in Fayetteville, internationally acclaimed art at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, theme parks at Silver Dollar City and Branson, and hiking, dining, festivals and more in my own beautiful Eureka!

Here in Eureka Springs, alone, there is an incredible array of lodging (some of it’s even haunted) to suit any taste and price range. The town is known as a regional art center; there are galleries, music festivals, plays, Opera –parades practically every week–lakes and rivers, nature trails, forests, camping nearby, fabulous dining, and (very important for me as a local) amazing coffee bars. We’re our own little mini-Venice–a town with a population of 2000 that welcomes over 750,000 visitors each year! And yet we still maintain a small town feel.

The Crescent, “The World’s Most Haunted Hotel”

Everyone who comes to Eureka wants to live like a local; I’ll give you detailed itinerary ideas about life and what to do when you visit Eureka from a ‘locals point of view.’ I love it here and want you to love it too.

As wonderful as Eureka is, the Ozarks region is even vaster! So I’ll be filling you in on fun itinerary ideas for Fayetteville, Bentonville, Branson, and ‘secret’ out of the way spots around and in between! You’re going to have a great time living life in the Ozarks!

Beth, at the Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Do you have questions about Ozarks traveling? Leave a comment! I’d love to answer them for you.

My Perfect Solo Travel Days in San Francisco

Day 1, San Francisco Arrival Day

I flew into SFO on a beautiful afternoon. I had done my research on taxis, Uber and Lyft –I’m a little embarrassed to say that when I took this trip I had never taken either Uber or Lyft. That’s all changed now! I had taken hundreds of taxis during the fourteen years I lived in New York City (back when dinosaurs walked the Earth before Uber or Lyft) so I jumped in a cab. I was really glad I did. I love talking with cab drivers, especially on the way from an airport to my destination. The drive was beautiful, the conversation, enlightening, and the cost –about fifty dollars or so plus tip, which was about what I expected after doing my research.

My driver took me straight to the door of the Kensington Park Hotel in the heart of Union Square. I love, I mean really love solo travel, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a little nervous or have some culture shock when I arrive in a new place. I always feel a little shy and have to take time to get my bearings. The Kensington really helped with that. The staff were friendly and helpful, the lobby is gracious and beautiful, but unpretentious –and loaded with history.

The Kensington has a real San Francisco feel. I was fascinated by its history. It lives in a building built in Moorish-Gothic style in 1925 by the Elks Club. The ceiling is hand painted so don’t forget to look up! The Kensington shares the building with the San Francisco Playhouse, so you can take in a play right in the same building. A real perk if you’ve walked all over the city like I do, but still want a unique San Francisco experience before going to sleep. Also in the hotel is Farallon Seafood Restaurant. Since I’m vegetarian I didn’t eat there, but it was packed every night! You can learn more about the Kensington and its history here.

I absolutely adored my room. It was tucked into a quiet spot with a view overlooking Union Square. The Kensington is a historic hotel, so the rooms are cozy. Mine had two full beds that were so comfortable I had some of the best nights’ sleep of my life. And I’m not exaggerating. I was very, very happy at the Kensington. I loved my comfy room so much I thought I’d see if I could create one like it. I couldn’t duplicate it exactly, but these linens come pretty close!

Mindfulness tip upon arrival

I always try to take a quiet half-hour or hour after I arrive at my hotel to acclimate, rest, and decompress. I’ve discovered it’s helpful when I’m traveling solo to make the space my own. I unpack my bag a bit, hang up my clothes, find my books and set them on the night tables –plug in the phone, and put my feet up for a little while. I check my messages, call home, and may flip on the tv, but usually I just rest, listen to the sounds outside the window, and shut my eyes for a moment or two. Taking a little time before rushing out into a new place helps center and acclimate me to my surroundings.

After I’d rested and freshened up I was ready for my first walk around San Francisco. I didn’t really have destinations in mind, but knew the general direction I wanted to go was –downhill. I had a nice spontaneous walk, got a little lost (I almost always get a little lost) and used my gps to make my way back to the hotel. I always carry my portable charger with me when I’m on my own. San Francisco is such a vibrant city. It’s exciting just to walk around and get a feel for things. My next post will cover my complete, spontaneous SF itinerary for the solo traveler, but right then, it was getting dark, and I was pretty hungry; where to go?

I knew I wanted somewhere close to the Kensington so I could get home easily after dark. I made a great discovery just one block uphill from the Kensington. The Zingari Restorante and Jazz Bar. After eight at night, it became my home away from home. Zingari was another really nice spot for me as a solo traveler. I arrived there tired, hungry, and a little rained on and left happy, feeling befriended, rested, and full. It overlooks the sweeping lobby of Donatello hotel, and live jazz plays every night. You probably do want to check the menu here before going. For me as a vegetarian traveling solo it was perfect. I sat at the bar, had a lovely vegetarian pasta, talked with the bartender, and relaxed after a very long day. And I took my sister when she arrived! By about ten, I was ready to return to my happy place at the Kensington.

What are your happy places in San Francisco? I’d love to hear about them!

View from the base of Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill.

San Francisco and the Giant Sequoias

Being there now is not about getting somewhere fast. It’s about seeing the journey in our minds — muddling over our visions, ideas, dreams, and plans. Trying to stay present as we do our best to get the details right, and finally — starting out, journeying, and being there.

The images in my welcome post were from a travel adventure with my sister to San Francisco and Sequoia National Park near Three Rivers, California — it was also the first time I did almost all the planning for a major adventure. Packing was a fun challenge because San Francisco is cool and rainy in September, Three Rivers was really warm, and in the mountains with the Sequoias it was cooler, but still warm and sunny. I found five essentials that were perfect for the whole trip. You can see them in my planning and packing post right here.

There were a lot of moving parts in planning this adventure, and I made a few mistakes (I’ll talk about those so you can avoid them) but it was a wonderful sister trip. Now we try to take trips together whenever we can!

The Plan

Because my sister and I have such different schedules, I divided this trip into three parts: solo travel time in San Francisco for me, a day and a night in San Francisco for the two of us and a glorious couple of days and nights in Three Rivers just minutes away from Sequoia National Park and those ancient giants. You can probably already tell that I love trees and forests. Connection with nature is my primary entry to mindfulness. Spending time with the Sequoias with my sister was a dream come true.

But first came my solo day in San Francisco!

Where in nature do you feel most connected?

Planning and packing for San Francisco and Sequoia National Park

Planning

Because of our schedules my sister and I started brainstorming our California trip months in advance. After lots of phone calls, we decided on our two main destinations–San Francisco and the giant Sequoias in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. I didn’t know California very well, so this was definitely a learning experience, and exercise in mindfulness!

It’s always a good plan to do your research, and I spent hours on trip adviser and Airbnb looking at reviews of different hotels and rentals. I finally decided on The Kensington Park Hotel in San Francisco in the heart of Union Square, and a beautiful AirBnB rental in Three Rivers, California just minutes away from the Sequoias. They were perfect both for my solo travel leg of the trip and and for after my sister arrived. More on the historic Kensington and our gorgeous Airbnb in a later post.

Packing

Figuring out what to take on this trip in September was a challenge! The San Francisco forecast was rainy and cool, but the forecast for Three Rivers–a five hour drive south– was sunny and 102 degrees! I knew I needed some key items in my suitcase. but first, I really needed a new suitcase.

I’m not a Zen packer. I take lots of things that make me feel comfortable and at home no matter where I go, especially when I’m traveling solo. For this trip I definitely needed new luggage. After searching, I decided on this great Samsonite suitcase in my favorite color. I knew I’d recognize it the instant it came off the luggage ramp. It’s roomy, really easy to pull, and expandable–which, since I carry a lot of my world with me when I travel is important to me.

My Absolute Essentials for San Francisco

My jean jacket, light scarf and perfect new Samsonite luggage

I love to blend in with the local scene, and even though I’m a long way from being a millennial, I like to feel fashionable, a little hip, and young–all the while being really comfortable. Luckily San Francisco style makes it easy to do all those things! Here are my SF essentials:

Number 1–blue jean jacket. I wore my jean jacket constantly in San Francisco. Rain or shine. It was the perfect weight for cool mornings and just the right casual style for the trip. Pro tip: bring one with lots of pockets. You’ll use them!

Number 2 –jeans, of course, to go with your jacket. Which ever are your favorites. Because I don’t travel light I took different kinds. All stretchy and comfy.

Number 3–light weight scarf. You will need this, believe me! Choose one made really light weight fabric that you can just stuff in the pocket of your jacket, or into the next essential item–

Number 4–a roomy, light weight tote bag. You will carry this everywhere. I mean everywhere. I carried my phone and an extra wireless charger in my tote because I use my gps when I get (mindfully) lost. As well as maps, brochures, souvenirs, and the occasional half sandwich. And since the weather can change on a dime in San Francisco, I looked for a tote that was roomy enough to carry things I needed just in case. If the sun pops out, you may want to put your jean jacket in your tote bag! And although I didn’t take one, it’s good to pack a lightweight hooded windbreaker or slicker. I also carried a small cross body purse for my keys, wallet, lipsticks, and spare change.

Number 5–comfortable shoes. I have a confession to make. I can only wear one brand of shoes these days. I have to have major arch support, and I love to walk for miles when I travel. Vionic Shoes have literally made this possible for me after I thought an injury a few years back had stopped me in my tracks. For this trip, I took a pair of sandals which I wore all over San Francisco, and a pair of boots, both Vionic. And in San Francisco I walked five to ten miles a day! Thanks Vionic!

Mindfullness tip for planning

Deliberate breathing. Whether I’m really enjoying the process of planning or feeling overwhelmed, I can forget to stand up, walk around, step outside to look at the sun and away from blue light, and breathe. My best quickest breathing technique to reset is to exhale quickly and inhale slowly three to six time times. This takes a full minute if I really connect, and works well to reset my mind and body.

What are your San Francisco Travel Essentials? I’d love to hear them!

Welcome to Being there now

Thanks for stopping by. Btn is meant to be a space to share fun, meaningful ideas about staying mindful and present in the moment in travel and in life. It’s about finding ways to step back, breathe, take a beat, and enter fully into experience. To embrace life and travel in all their joy, beauty, and messy wonder.

I hope you enjoy these moments we share together.