Bill and Eileen's Travels: Catherines Landing - Hot Springs NP (6/14

On Tuesday 6/14 we moved on to Arkansas. Destination, Hot Springs. The trip was one of the worst trips we have had in years. We passed this way in 2008 and I'm sure that the potholes we hit on I40 in Eastern Arkansas are the same ones we hit in 08. Just bigger. There was one spot near the Mississippi River, not to far into Arkansas, where I thought the wheels were going to come off the bus. That was not the case but when we finally found a place to stop for lunch, I discovered that I was minus one chrome hubcap. We went into two roadside rests that were full and waited 60 miles to find out that the next one was closed for renovations. All in all not a good travel day.

The campground is a RVC Outdoor Resort, it is very nice. We backed onto a cement pad on the edge of the Ouachita River. It's a very pretty site and a real nice resort. All amenities, including a zip line, that we decided not to use. They have boat rentals, bike rentals, swimming pool, etc. etc. very nice. I would highly recommend it.

On Wednesday we when into Hot Springs and toured the National Park. The focus of the park is the historic springs that where believed to have healing powers. The history goes back into the 1700's.
Documents show that the American Indians knew about and bathed in the springs. The waters start with rain that seeps into the ground and they estimate that it takes around 4000 years for it to reach a place deep in the earth that heats it. The heated water rises to the surface quickly and emerges in the springs at 143 degrees.

The main attraction is Bath House Row. The houses are the most current version of the bath hoses that have been restored using government money. Only one of the bath houses is still in operation. Considering the weather at 94 degrees we were not inclined to do this either.

The Fordyce Bathhouse, on the row, serves as the parks visitor center and museum. The park is in the Zig Zag mountains about 55 miles southwest of Little Rock.

This park was the first reservation set aside by the US Congress to protect a natural resource. Yellowstone was the first designated NP but Hot Springs was the first area set aside for the use of the citizens.

The first bathhouses were crude, and the history of the town has a very interesting and sometimes sorted history. Crime, gambling, etc. We enjoyed reading about the baths and the history of the town.

After lunch at the Superior Bathhouse, Brewery and Distillery. (Local craft beer brewed using the local spring water) we drove up to the observation tower in the park for a beautiful view of the surrounding area. The tower also had a nice museum that listed many facts of the area, and town. It was here that we were reminded that one of our recent presidents grew up here. Bill Clinton.

We had a very nice day in spite of the brutal heat.

Thursday we catch up on chores and tonight we will be cooking on the grill by the river.

Tomorrow we boogie to Oklahoma City with a stop near Fort Smith Arkansas to pick up the hubcap I ordered.

Enjoy the pictures which will take a long time to post because of our lousy phone service here.

Life is Good. Make the best of every day!