Arkansas was more of an accident than an organized adventure. Mid-2011, we found ourselves with an unexpectedly obligation-free holiday weekend (this is normally how the trips start) and debated our options.  We had taken a few short road trips, mainly in Texas, and one quick trip to Santa Fe, NM, which involved air travel.  Up until now, free time was limited with two school-aged kids in one house, full-time, chaotic work, school and sports schedules, and life. 

The goal was to do something different, go somewhere new but within driving distance.  A cabin in the woods sounded appealing, but … Texas.  “Cabin in the woods” options are limited.  We considered Oklahoma again, but since we had some extra time, one state further out seemed manageable.  Neither one of us had ever explored Arkansas (or even been there), so the Ozarks it was.  Searching the ever-expanding Internet, we found a tiny cabin on VRBO (exciting newness in the ancient year of 2011) which fit the requirements. Located in a town called Snowball, smack in the middle of the rolling hills of Arkansas, it looked like a promising fit for a weekend escape.