Christ Of The
Ozarks
Eureka Springs was a beautiful place in 1993. We had traveled in three USA buses
and arrived at the motel in time for the noon meal. Alice and Corky Seigelquist
owned Alco Tours, and arranged for Felicia to sing in Branson Missouri. Dot was
a Hostess on one of the buses; I was a tag along. Eureka Springs has a great
system for Tourist transportation. The trolley buses have wooden seats and brass
trim and post for standing passengers. The different routes are color coded as
are the trolleys. If you want to go to the Crystal Cathedral in the woods; you
take the colored trolley for that route on the map. The Hill-Billy theaters have
great singing and some of the best comedy you will ever see and hear. Other
routes lead into Eureka Springs; with Shops of all kind and a magnificent view
of the "Christ of the Ozarks" which is also on the color coded route.
I saw the Statue while riding on a small tram that toured the city with many
colorful Bread and Breakfast homes along the way. Actually it was a glimpse
between the buildings as we rode along main street. Eureka Springs is built high
on the edge of great long Valley. We had visited the Statue earlier and there
was a Look-out point with a view across the valley toward the town stretched
along the rim. The statue also has a Biblical village and a country church,
close by. Another place we went; The Passion Play, is arranged at the end of the
valley with a huge outdoor Amphitheater. We were checked at the ticket booth for
cameras, as the live animals would be frightened by flash bulbs. I had a camera
in my pocket and binoculars hanging on my arm. The girl asked if we had a camera
and Dot said "no those are his binoculars". I just didn't say
anything; I did not want to leave the camera or take it back to the bus. As we
sat, facing the afternoon sun in cushion seats on the concrete ledges, it became
a little warm. I watched the sun dropping slowly, hoping it would go behind the
trees on the hill behind the Passion play village. We could see forever down the
Valley and finally I noticed something at the bottom ot the V in the view. The
binoculars confirmed the object was the Christ of the Ozarks. As I pointed it
out to the Ladies sitting in front of us; the sun continued to sink to the horizon.
If you watch the sun set from summer to winter it is obvious that it moves North
to South on the horizon. The Sun Set; that day; Directly behind the statue
(Christ of the Ozarks). It was a Beautiful Sight to Behold. The Play
started after dark and presented the life of Jesus from birth to crucifixion and
resurrection. The last scene was of Jesus ascending to Heaven, dressed in a
flowing white robe and rising at least a hundred feet. It was really something
to see.
by Claude Morgan