Let me begin by saying that having pie everyday makes for a lovely vacation.
This includes fried pie. Which is the kind of pie you eat when you go on a Folkcation.
So what is a Folkcation? Well, in our case, it was a mini- vacation spent at the Ozark Folk Center and on the square in Mountain View, Arkansas.
Now why would we want to do that sort of thing for a getaway? (Some of you more city-minded gals might be wondering this, I know.)
Well, first of all our little family likes old fashioned things. It is one of our quirks. We tend to work history lessons into most of our vacations.
Secondly, I didn’t grow up in Arkansas and the time I did spend here was spent in the city with my city grandparents. I knew nothing of Bluegrass or the Ozarks or folk culture until college. So I find it all very interesting and curious.
Thirdly, I had briefly stayed at the Ozark Folk Center back in August for the Arkansas Women’s Blogger Conference (are you coming this year?? You must! So much fun!) but because I was sick I missed a whole chunk of the Folk-center-experience. I pretty much only saw my cabin and the conference center.
And lastly-and most importantly- my sweet friend Stephanie and her family had invited me and my family to come stay with them on the Folk Center grounds (Stephanie’s husband is the Folk Center’s Park Superintendent.)
After several failed attempts, we finally settled on a date for our visit, taking advantage of our long weekend to load up the car and head for the hills.
The Art Guild was another favorite stop for the boys. The shop is run by members of the Mountain View Art Guild, whose work is also on display and for sale. Each time we visited the boys were invited to jump in and take a mini-water color lesson, which of course Miles ate up.
Many of the artist offer workshops for all ages during the busy season- and I already have plans to go back for Pottery and Candle Making lessons later this summer.
A lot of the artist and craftsmen will make you custom items such as embossed stationary, custom belts or guitar straps, and even brooms. Shawn Hoefer makes the brooms (you can see more at his website) and he also weaves quite the story. Sweet Man said he could have listened to Shawn tell stories all day long.
I love The Skillet restaurant too! I may check out the pottery class for this summer!
V
I love Mountain View and all things involving the Ozarks!
I love the folk center but have not been there since we moved back home. Would love the candle making and pottery class too. Also, my grandfather was a blacksmith and shod horses for a living. He had a forge behind the house and I have watched him many times as a child. What great memories!!
Thanks for the kind words. So glad we could send you home with happy memories. Y'all are welcome back anytime and I'll be sure to have my story-telling hat on 🙂
Shawn – the broom maker
Oh let me know if you do-would love to hear how it goes for you!
Me too! Cannot believe I was a full grown woman before I knew about it : )
How cool is that to have a blacksmithing grandfather! Miles would have been in heaven!
I am sure we will be back! Nathan may even bring a chair and sit a while in your shop and just listen : )