Two Hours Within Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

When Hunter and I set out on our Spring Break tour of US Highway 71 through Arkansas, I had a destination in mind. Come join us for a photo essay of what Hunter and I encountered at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

I've been thinking about this particular part of our trip for a while. It was magical. But tackling it in a traditional written story didn't seem to do it justice.

In the end, I decided the best way to share it was how the two of us encountered it. Here are the photographs and the Instagrams. Some words are spelled wrong (I have fat fingers) and some things may look a little strange, but for these moments, these were the things happening to us right at that time.

If you are interested in following the entire journey, our adventures on our epic road trip along US Highway 71 from the Louisiana border to the Missouri State Line, click the link.

And now.for the really cool part of our Springs Break on 71 trip: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Just the appearance of this place is enough to cause Hunter to cheer. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:21am PST

This helpful guide talks with Hunter about the unusually depicted meteors in this lithograph. #lithograph #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:25am PST

Hunter is just blown away by all the art at Crystal Bridges. She wants to come back when we have all day to explore.#crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:26am PST

She's just as fascinated by what's outside of the pavilions at Crystal Bridges as what's inside each one. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:27am PST

Hunter is using an interactive kiosk to make a wall display reminiscent of one of Samuel Morse's works where he painted an image of a painting covered wall at the Louvre. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:29am PST

My favorite piece, the Red Lens.

This crazy carpet is made of green candies. The artist, Felix's Gonzales-Torres, came up with this concept in 1991. There's a docent nearby whose main job is to tell you that yes, you can have a piece of candy. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:32am PST

Hunter unintentionally becomes part of the art. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:33am PST

Well now, by my hutton-specled hat... #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:35am PST

Are we there yet? Indeed, we finally are - at the Open Road exhibit at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:36am PST

The Open Road shares the work of road photographers who have documented the travel life. I feel a strong connection to these masters. After all, I may be a writer but I am also documenting the sights and sounds and flavors encountered while traveling. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:38am PST

This early photograph travel book fascinates me. Each photo illustrates a turn. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:39am PST

This was the moment when Hunter realized we'd been followed. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:40am PST

Utilizing the hashtag #openroadtrip, Crystal Bridges is showcasing photos from all over America. That streak through Western Arkansas? Those are the Instagrams from our trip. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:42am PST

Our entire #SpringBreakOn71 journey has been documented and now shared within this exhibit at Crystal Bridges. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:44am PST

When I started Tie Dye Travels, it was to keep my chops fresh after a dozen years in TV. I had no idea it would lead to my daughter finding herself in a major museum. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:46am PST

She was recognized by the docent when we ebtered, and we watched spellbound as out entire journey rolled out onto the screen. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #thehive #21cbentonville #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:47am PST

Before we left, Hunter put a mark for her hometown of Little Rock on this big map. #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:48am PST

I mentioned this was the best photo ops and she climbed right up on the L in LOVE. #love #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:23am PST

Where will the road take you next? #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesmuseumofamericanart #bentonville #bentonvillear #SpringBreakOn71 #openroadtrip #visitarkansas #us71 #openroad #epicroadtrip #cbopenroad #hondaroadtrip #arkansashighways

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Mar 7, 2016 at 5:49am PST