We decided to take a day trip to Mountain View on Sunday…
(We really wanted to stay the night but after calling everywhere realized planning a Labor Day trip isn’t possible on Labor day weekend!)
the weather was gorgeous. It’s been over 100 here for so long, and then
suddenly I think it was about 70 (maybe cooler.) Lovely and sunny.
Mountain View is about 2 1/2 hours from North Little Rock, and it’s a beautiful scenic drive.
First we went to Blanchard Springs Caverns. We went on the longer tour, which I haven’t been on since Scott and I were dating. (They close that trail when it rains a lot or in the fall/winter when the bats are hibernating.) It was a fantastic tour, I enjoyed it much more than the Dripstone Tour we usually get to take. My oldest now wants to do the Wild Cave tour! (She might have to do that one with her grandma, as I am a bit claustrophobic.)
My phone doesn’t take good cave pics!
After the caves we wandered down into the park to the springs. It was very crowded due to Labor Day weekend and a wedding, so we didn’t stay long. *Note: with your cave tickets you get access to the picnic area, swimming hole, and springs for the day!
Horseback riding was next on the agenda. I had a horse that was due for retirement in a day, and I think she knew it. She was just not into the ride! 🙂 There were wild boar and deer on the trail!
We tried to make it in time to visit the Ozark Folk Center, but would have had only 30 minutes for that. Next time. There is a new ropes course on the grounds of the Folk Center called Locoropes. We did manage to squeeze in time for some of that…
Emily Almost to the Top
All the kids (even my man and mom-in-law) made it up the rock walls and down the zip line. I was really proud of Max because he is afraid of heights but managed to make it down the zip line! There was an awesome agility/tree course that scared me to look at. You go from tree to tree on these swings, bridges, ladders… Very cool. I know we’ll be back up there.
Jac- Zipping
Sharon on the Zip Line
Can you find Max?
After that adventure we were starved and had to go to our favorite pizza joint in all of Arkansas, Tommy’s Famous Pizza. We have made special drives the 2 1/2 hours just for their pizza.
Yes, it’s that good. (Make sure you take cash though, Tommy’s doesn’t take plastic!)
Kids and Their Gran-Gran
After dinner we strolled over to the town square to listen to music. Mountain View is famous for it’s music jams on the weekends. There are little gazebos and stages everywhere with people just setting up and jamming all night. Bluegrass, gospel, folk, country…
And, in case you didn’t get enough pizza there are snack places open all night!
New York Pizza Crust (Makes 2 12” pies) ¼ teaspoon sugar1 cup warm water1 envelope (¼ oz.) active dry yeast (I use the quick rising)1 teaspoon salt3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting7 Tablespoons olive oil If using a pizza stone, set it on lowest rack of oven. Preheat oven to 550 degrees.In a small bowl dissolve sugar in warm water. Add yeast and stir. Let sit 5 minutes or until a layer of frothy bubbles appears. In food processor (or bowl) combine salt and flour. Add frothy yeast mixture and 2 Tablespoons of oil. Mix until dough is smooth and pliable. Remove dough and knead on a floured surface for about 10 minute. Oil inside of a bowl with olive oil and place dough in bowl. Cover with a dish towel and let dough rise until double in size (30 minutes to 1 hour) When dough has doubled punch it down and knead 10 times. Form into a ball and cut in half. Roll each half out into a 12” circle. Transfer each pie to a pan or a peel if using a stone. I dust the bottoms with a bit of cornmeal so they slide better when removing. Spread tomato sauce (or sauce of choice) on pie, put desired toppings on pizza and top with cheese. Drizzle with olive oil if desired. Bake on lowest rack of oven for 6- minutes or until it looks yummy!
*We love this recipe. I think we make pizza about once a week! It is so fast if you use a stand up mixer or food processor and quick rising yeast. Probably faster than delivery.
So I told you I would let you know how the menu thing went last week…
Well, I did pretty good. Except we had a change in the Chicken Enchiladas-
the fam wanted soup and grilled cheese and we accommodated, and on the
night for pizza it was a crazy busy day and I was sooo tired- so while at Target I did the unthinkable and got two frozen pizzas (which were truly gross.) What is up with frozen pizza?
I adore pizza. Even bad pizza is usually okay. (Except for those frozen pizzas.) I have a list of the best places to eat pizza that I will try and get on here one day.
It’s so quick and easy to make homemade pizza. My recipe actually came from a Target flier we got in the mail a long time ago, with a few tweaks here and there.
New York Pizza Crust (Makes 2 12” pies) ¼ teaspoon sugar 1 cup warm water 1 envelope (¼ oz.) active dry yeast (I use the quick rising) 1 teaspoon salt 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting 7 Tablespoons olive oil If using a pizza stone, set it on lowest rack of oven. Preheat oven to 550 degrees. In a small bowl dissolve sugar in warm water. Add yeast and stir. Let sit 5 minutes or until a layer of frothy bubbles appears. In food processor (or bowl) combine salt and flour. Add frothy yeast mixture and 2 Tablespoons of oil. Mix until dough is smooth and pliable. Remove dough and knead on a floured surface for about 10 minute. Oil inside of a bowl with olive oil and place dough in bowl. Cover with a dish towel and let dough rise until double in size (30 minutes to 1 hour) When dough has doubled punch it down and knead 10 times. Form into a ball and cut in half. Roll each half out into a 12” circle. Transfer each pie to a pan or a peel if using a stone. I dust the bottoms with a bit of cornmeal so they slide better when removing. Spread tomato sauce (or sauce of choice) on pie, put desired toppings on pizza and top with cheese. Drizzle with olive oil if desired. Bake on lowest rack of oven for 6- minutes or until it looks yummy!
*We love this recipe. I think we make pizza about once a week! It is so fast if you use a stand up mixer or food processor and quick rising yeast. Probably faster than delivery.
Not sure what the menu for this week is yet. I am working on it now and might change if the farmer’s market is open and has something yummy tomorrow!
