Razorbacks, restaurants & rearviews

After days of wind and rain, the clouds finally cleared—and with them, so did our cabin fever. We ventured out to explore Fayetteville, eager to see what this town had to offer beyond the fogged-up rig windows.

Our first stop was the University of Arkansas campus. It’s a fascinating blend—part UT Austin from thirty years ago, part East Coast Ivy League. Brick buildings, leafy walkways, and a palpable sense of tradition. Greek life is clearly central here; it would be hard to be a student without belonging to an organization. The campus buzzes with energy. It’s easy to see why The Little, by far the most social of the 4, feels at home—there’s something happening everywhere you look.

The town itself is full of charm. Great restaurants line the streets, many of them dog-friendly, which earns extra points in our book. We passed cozy cafes, bustling brunch spots, and patios filled with laughter and live music. There’s a rhythm here—college-town vibrancy meets mountain-town ease.

Next stop on the lightening tour was The Overlook at Mount Sequoyah, offering a sweeping view of Fayetteville and the university campus below. And lest you forget you’re in the Bible Belt, a towering cross casts its shadow over the town—a quiet reminder of place and tradition.

I love a town with public art, and Fayetteville doesn’t disappoint. Murals and sculptures dot the landscape, adding texture and soul to every corner. We dined at several great restaurants, wandered the streets, snapped photos, and watched the world go by. It’s fall, and though the weather was still coolish, the sun made it perfect for stomping around and seeing the sights.

After work today, we met The Little for a birthday dinner—marking the last kid reaching their 20s. Momentous days indeed. Our final workday here was busy and festive: Halloween! Heading to dinner after work was a treat in itself, watching people roam in costume, prepping for epic parties. I’m no longer sad to miss those ragers. There’s something sweet about watching the revelry from the sidelines.

The end of the workweek also marks the end of our time here. Tomorrow, we’ll pick up stakes and head back to the Lone Star State. One more week of leisure before the property search gets real real. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with friends we haven’t seen in ages, spending time lakeside—at a different lake this time—and hopefully, a return to warmer temps.

Next up: Lone Star Landings

One last breath of leisure before the digging begins. We’ll reconnect with old friends, spend time lakeside, and hopefully soak up some warmer temps. The search for the farm is about to get real—but for now, we rest, we roam, we ready ourselves.