This area of the Ozarks have a lot of nice mountains and valleys. The Ozarks (also referred to as Ozark Mountain Country, the Ozark Mountains or the Ozark Plateau) are a physiographic, geologic, and cultural highland region of the central United States. It covers much of the south half of Missouri and an extensive portion of northwest and north central Arkansas. The region also extends westward into northeast Oklahoma and extreme southeast Kansas.
Although sometimes referred to as the Ozark Mountains, the region is actually a high and deeply dissected plateau. Geologically, the area is a broad dome around the Saint Francois Mountains. The Ozark Highlands area, covering nearly 47,000 square miles, is by far the most extensive mountainous region between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains. Together, the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains form an area known as the U.S. Interior Highlands.
On the road between Fort Smith and Fayetteville we crossed over the Boston mountains. At the top, the road passes through the mountains.
The most unique place we ate was in Gravett AR. We had a great lunch at the “In Zone”. I just love this small town mom & pop cafes. Everything was made fresh.
The highlight of the travels took us through Bentonville, the home of Walmart. When we passed through the old downtown area we saw one of his first stores.
To read more about Sam Walton click http://www1.stfrancis.edu/content/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/bbios/biograph/walton1.htm
The history part of the trip was at Pea Ridge AR. Just east of town is the site of the battle of Pea Ridge. The Battle of Pea Ridge (also known as Elkhorn Tavern) was a land battle of the American Civil War, fought on March 7 and March 8, 1862, at Pea Ridge. In the battle, Union Army forces led by Brig. Gen. Samuel R. Curtis defeated Confederate troops under Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn. The outcome of the battle essentially cemented Union control of Missouri. One notable fact of this battle is that it was one of the few in which a Confederate army outnumbered a Union army. To learn more click http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=508
