Recently we went on a little jaunt to Bentonville, Arkansas. Home of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and a very nice urban scene going on. Bentonville is also the headquarters of Walmart and the town is growing quickly. They have lots of restaurants and other places to entertain oneself.
Redbud Tree on the city’s trails
There are tons of walking paths all over town. We stayed close to the town center so we could just park our car and walk where we needed to go.
They not only have trails they have art integrated into nature with the trails.
Very nicely maintained and landscaped.
Lots of wildflowers.
We found a very nice Italian restaurant. Great food and wonderful service. The staff probably knew we were from Oklahoma when we pulled out phones to take photos of our deserts.
And here was mine. Two scoops of ice cream and one of raspberry sorbet. Wow, it was great.
And then we walked around for a bit looking for a place to have a drink. We found a place overlooking the square.
Another shot of Heather.
I had a gimlet, I think Heather had a glass of wine. It was wonderful to find a place for a drink and then walk to our airbnb a short distance away instead of parking.
The next day we got up, had breakfast and headed to the Crystal Bridges Museum. We viewed hundreds of works of art. All of them great. Here are a few that really caught my attention.
This work of art is Robe named “Eldest Daughter” by Addie Roanhorse. It was made in 2025 using traditional Osage Ribbon Cutting techniques.
“The Good Shepherd” by Henry Ossawa Tanner in 1917. It caught my eye because we are close to Easter.
“Valley of the Catawissa in Autumn” by Thomas Moran, ca 1862. Talk about a great Skywatch Friday painting. I love Moran’s stuff.
“The Song” by William Merritt Chase, in 1907. I’ve noticed this painting on several previous visit and it really struck me this time. I always thought it was a lady with a headache. But no, she’s listening to a piano played by another woman obscured by the column. Back then you didn’t have XM Radio or iTunes so if you wanted to listen to music, somebody had to play it for you. So the woman is listening hard to the music and is really into it.
So we had a good time. We got to spend a lot of time together and see some great art.
I don’t know when we are going home. Could be a while.
Linking with Skywatch Friday
…and you indeed struck GOLD!
I love that last painting and the gorgeous room the women are in. I, too, thought the woman in the chair was worried about something but this is why a guide giving the scoop on what we’re seeing in art and in museums is so key and eye-opening.
You know I love flowers and am happy to see blossoms on the tree and flowers pushing up through the ground. Thanks!
This looks like a wonderfully relaxing and fun “get away” with Heather, Yogi! Such interesting paintings and artifacts in the museum, good food and drinks, and beautiful spring blossoms to admire on your walks. Enjoy!
Hello,
Wonderful photos from your getaway. Lovely photos of your wife Heather.
The wildflowers are beautiful, I love the art work too.
The desserts look yummy! Take care, enjoy your day and happy Easter weekend!
So beautiful place. Awesome pics.
Desserts looks great. Paintings looks stunning.
Happy Easter Greetings.
We were amazed by the changes between 1986, when we left Northwest Arkansas, and 2013, when we visited for a week. I loved our brief visit to Bentonville, which was just before Labor Day. You brought back memories! I think people from all over the United Staes take pictures of their desserts. Those desserts were certainly photography-worthy. Crystal Bridges is a treasure and I’m not even sure how many people here in New York State have even heard of it. I chucked thinking about you at a bar. In the 1980;s Benton County was dry. Alana ramblinwitham
Chuckled, not chucked. Sorry about the typo,.
Your beautiful bride has a winsome smile.
Worth a Thousand Words
A wonderful outing with many nice pictures.
Thanks for visiting my blog
Have a good time dear Yogi
Violetta
Wow… this icecream dream! Thank you for sharing and for hosting. Have wonderful Easter.
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Greetings by Heidrun
What a great adventure for you and your lovely wife Heather ~ Wonderful series of photos ~ Happy Easter to you ~ ^_^
Thanks for commenting on my blog ~ an artist reflects ~
It looks like you had a wonderful time. I don’t care for that “art” cluttering up the water! The thing I like the most from this post is your title with the word hijinx! A word that needs to be used more often I think.