Ozark Vacations for All Seasons

Are you tired of the day-to-day hustle and bustle of the city? Have you found yourself dazed behind your desk, daydreaming of escaping to far-away places? Sounds like you need a vacation! Re-schedule those meetings (you need a clear mind to concentrate, don't you?), turn on your out-of-office reply, and leave that company cell phone at home on the nightstand. Get that break you deserve! The Ozark Mountains of north-central Arkansas offer rest, relaxation and fun any time of year. Pick your favorite season, pack your bags and get ready to enjoy one of the best vacations in North America.

Every year up to 1 million people from across the country travel to the Ozark Mountains. They come seeking a change from their normal hectic lives. What they find is a natural, relaxed setting of breathtaking beauty mixed with the small town atmosphere of days gone by. The Twin Lakes region (Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals Lake) has a total population of around 50,000 people. Coupled with the very low crime rate, this area is a favorite of many who eventually make a permanent move to Arkansas.

In warm months, Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals Lake are popular locales for the die-hard watersports enthusiast. Daytime activities might include boating, water-skiing, fishing or just playing in the cool lake waters. Smaller bodies of water, such as crystal-clear Sylamore Creek, are more secluded and quieter, giving a feeling of serenity as you sunbathe at water's edge. Hiking and horseback trails are plentiful, and you might want to include a visit to the local fish hatchery. If shopping is your way of relaxing, there are several colorful small towns nearby, virtually unchanged from the past, that offer quaint shops filled with antiques and handmade items, including decorative pieces and cypress furniture.

As slow and relaxing as the daytime is, the night is even more so. Enjoy the beautiful Ozark sunset, and get prepared to be entertained by the local nightlife. The music of crickets and nightbirds fills the air and the stars seem to dance in the sky above. A crackling fire is a welcome place to gather for long-overdue conversations between family and friends (and those wonderful s'mores from your childhood). When it's time to retire for the evening, you'll be ready to snuggle in and have peaceful dreams.

Winter in the Ozarks is quite different, but every bit as relaxing. Fishing is still a popular activity, along with hunting, hiking, and eagle watching tours. Enjoy a few of the many music shows the region has to offer, as well as Christmas parades and even more shopping! Interested in history? Several museums in the area will grab your attention and give you lots to talk about in the evening-how about a game of Ozark trivia?

If you've read this far and you're still sitting there, grab that daily planner and mark off a few days for yourself. You work hard, and you deserve to treat yourself to the wonderful sights and sounds of Arkansas. Who knows, you might even run into me-I'm the redhead with the notebook!