Hot Springs, Arkansas

Saturday, October 29, 2011

This began as a clear cool day, and about 10 am we gathered around the picnic table for our brunch. It was just starting to be sunny in among the trees, so we positioned the picnic table for maximum warmth. We even resorted to spreading out blankets on the benches to keep us warmer. The tables and benches are aluminum, and they were quite cool.

Earlier in the day we had some fog on the lake

But by breakfast it was beautiful

After brunch we loaded into the Rubble mobile and went into the town of Hot Springs. As we got closer in we could see what looked like an observation tower on top of a hill. We could not find a parking spot anywhere near the National Park VC, and wound up turning up a road that led to the tower. It is a switchback road that climbs around sharp curves. Vehicles over 30 foot length are prohibited, but we’re a little shorter than that, so went on up. It is a great area for long walks, and pretty with the falling leaves. We stopped at a turnout just below the tower to see the view of the valley, then we walked on up the hill to the tower. We didn’t want to pay the admission to ride to the top, so just looked around and then headed back down the hill to Bathhouse Row.  

Hot Springs from the top of the hill.

The tower gives an even better view.

We had a map showing some parking areas, but they were too tight for the cave mobile. We turned into a city VC, and found a few RV parking spots. As we got out of the cave mobile, a car pulled up beside us and a lady got out and took two large water bottles over to a kiosk type thing where there are spigots and you can fill your bottles with 143 degree water. They are called “jug fountains”, and there are at least six of them within a few block area, and three cold or cooler fountains. Very interesting, and before leaving, we took a couple of gallon water bottles over to fill them up. By the time we got back to the campground, they were still warm.

We were happy to find out about the free spring water that is available in numerous places around town.

Bathhouse Row was a big attraction about one hundred years ago. People came from all over for the therapeutic baths, massages, and hydrotherapy.

We were far enough away to get only a few of the bathhouses in the picture.

The National Park VC is in the original Fordyce Bathhouse, and contains a lot of the original equipment, with bathtub rooms, dressing rooms, massage rooms, gymnasium, and some roof deck areas where they could sunbathe, plus lots more.  Some of the equipment looked sort of like torture areas!

Can't imagine getting into one of these.

There were many of these bath rooms.

Part of the gym equipment.

There were three floors of the bathhouse rooms, and the basement included some of the mechanical equipment, and one spring still running through.  The elevator is still the old interior, but hopefully updated mechanics! We spent quite a while touring the building, and also watched the video and got our books stamped.

It was a really neat old looking elevator.

Bathhouse Row is still a big attraction for the town – quite a tourist trap. The great weather probably contributed to the masses of people out and about.

We weren't even temped to do this!

We walked around a little bit and took some pictures, then got our water and headed back to the campground. We tend to prefer the quieter National Parks, but they all have something different to offer. Visiting them with great friends makes it even more enjoyable.
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