Crossing the Midwest | USA Road Trip Day 5

🌲 A Glass Chapel Hidden in the Forest | Stepping Straight into a Hayao Miyazaki Scene 🎞️ After leaving Texas, we headed east all the way into Arkansas—a often-overlooked "niche state" that surprised us with a dreamy experience of up-close contact with nature. ✨ A Quiet Miracle in the Glass Forest: The Chapel in Hot Springs In the morning, we set off for the forest north of Hot Springs, Arkansas, to find a chapel tucked deep in the woods—Anthony Chapel. When we truly stepped into that forest, walking on a carpet of pine needles, and caught sight of the all-glass chapel towering among the trees, I literally held my breath. The trees felt like its walls; sunlight filtered through the leaves and glass, casting dappled light that made it feel like we’d stepped into the forest sanctuary from Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke 🍃. There’s no cross or fancy decorations inside the chapel—only minimalist lines blending with nature. Sitting on the pews, with only the wind and birdsong for company, my heart felt incredibly peaceful 🕊️. 📸 This spot is perfect for shooting fresh, airy travel photos or ones with that K-drama vibe! 🏛️ Exploring Little Rock, Arkansas’ Capital In the afternoon, we drove for over an hour to reach Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas. Compared to the morning’s forest fairy tale, this city gave off a relaxed, laid-back vibe. Our first stop was the solemn and grand Arkansas State Capitol. Like most state capitals, it has a white domed exterior, resembling the U.S. Capitol. Wandering the lawn outside the building, with fountains spurting in the distance, the city’s pace remained slow—as if it had preserved the casual culture of old America 🇺🇸. 📍 Must-Visit Spots in Little Rock: 🏛️ Arkansas State Capitol: Free to visit, ideal for friends who love political history. 🌉 Big Dam Bridge: America’s longest bridge open only to pedestrians and cyclists—great for city views! 🎨 River Market District: An artsy neighborhood filled with small shops, graffiti walls, and restaurants~ In Little Rock, I didn’t feel the glitz of a big city, but I did experience another side of American spirit: simplicity, tranquility, and harmonious coexistence with nature. If you like my travel updates, follow me for more to come~ 🌄 Next stop: We’ll cross Mississippi and head to Louisiana 🛶. #USA #NicheTravelSpots #Arkansas #InternationalStudentTravel #RoadTrip #UrbanExploration #Forest #TravelDiary #DocumentingLife #DailyPhotography