Day 4:Fort Smith to Murfreesboro

Today I was up early and had the opportunity to workout early in the hotels fitness center. Went back to the room and got cleaned up and packed to head out to Murfreesboro. Mari was up and we went down for the continental breakfast. Nothing fancy but it was filling.

Mari and I headed out to get some gas and to get a birthday gift for Jason. Today is Jason's thirty-fifth birthday. So, what to get for Jason? Well, we have to consider that the past three previous years Jason has not been able to go on vacation when we went and we have been gone on vacation during his birthday. We swung into a Best Buy to browse around. Since we have been traveling I figured out an appropriate gift. While at Best Buy mom called and was going to the Clayton House.

We decided to catch up with the rest of the family and go to the Clayton House. The house is a historic home built in 1882 and occupied by some prominent figures of the area, William Henry Harrison Clayton. William Clayton was the federal prosecutor in the court of of celebrated frontier judge Isaac C. Parker (aka the hanging judge). The Clayton House is a magnificent home with extensive carved woodwork inside the home and on the exterior. 

From the Clayton House mom and Michelle wanted to check out the Darby House but Mari and I had enough of Fort Smith and decided to start heading south towards Murfreesboro. 

We took the scenic route through the Quachita National Forest. The route was scenic and windy. I eventually let Mari drive and the Road Rage Queen redeveloped. It got scary. Mari enjoys tailgating people and speeding around the turns/curves and then yells at everyone...including me. 


When we finally got to Murfreesboro it was after 5pm. Murfreesboro only has three hotels/motels. The Queen of Diamonds Inn, American Heritage Inn and the Little Shamrock Motel. They are listed in size and probably price, large to small. They all appear to be mom/pop operations. You can not reserve rooms by AAA.com, expedia.com or any other sites you normally have used. 

We decided to see if the Queen of Diamonds had any opening. The rooms are large and typically have two double beds. They are clean and well kept. The huge downside I have was the price, about $100 a night for two people. The price will vary depending on the number of people staying a room. While getting registered mom, dad, Ryan and grandma made it into town. They ended up getting room here as well. Michelle decided to be adventurous and got a "cabin" outside of town. After getting settled in to the rooms Mari went swimming, dad and Ryan went to check out the Crater of Diamonds state park. Mom and grandma rested back in their room. 


Michelle and the rest of here pack finally made it into town. Apparently she says that the GPS unit she had quite working and they ended up getting lost, supposedly. 

We had supper at the Buddy's Ranch House across the street from the Queen of Diamonds Inn. The food was good. Mari had the chicken fried steak, which was one of the best I have ever tasted. They make everything from scratch right at the restaurant. 

Afterward we went back to the hotel and gave Jason his birthday presents. Mari and I gave him a Garmin GPS 205W. He said he liked it and had been thinking about getting one. Maybe now Michelle won't get lost since she and Jason will have one each in her car. Ha ha.


We traveled about 165 miles in five hours today. Tomorrow we get up and try our hand at digging for precious gems in a field. Hope it does not get to hot. It has been in the 90 here with heat index about 100-110.


Good night.