This weekend we wanted to get out of the house and do something fun, but we didn’t want to do the usual same old thing either.  We finally decided to drive to War Eagle, a nearby historic mill.  I haven’t visited the mill since I was little, so it was a surprise to me just how neat it was.  It sits in a wooded area, with a river running next to it.  The water power is what runs the large paddle wheel that makes everything from whole wheat organic flour to cornmeal.  The mill has a small gift shop inside, and a famous restaurant on the third floor.  I still remember my parents talking about their beans and cornbread, a southern staple.  I ended up buying a few bags of flour and cornmeal, which I hope to put to good use.  The place was beautiful and nostalgic, nestled in the Ozark mountains.

We also visited nearby Hobbs State Park on our road trip, which was a big surprise too.  Their visitor center had everything from an interactive cave to live turtles and of all things snakes.   As long as it’s behind glass I’m good to go…  We were gone for most of the day, exploring local places.  However, it truly felt like we were on vacation for the day, since we were doing things we usually don’t do. Our little road trip was a lot of fun, and all of the sites were free to visit.  In my opinion local road trips are truly budget friendly and fun.  It’s also great to find what your own state has to offer.  An added bonus??  The money you do end up spending for the day supports your local economy!