Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
They don't call it Hot Springs fer nuthin'! The water that comes from natural thermal springs in the mountain can get up to 140 degrees F. It was the first national park before there were national parks. The federal government, by act of Congress in 1832, created a reserve so that the public could access the healing waters, and it has been a popular place ever since for celebrities, athletes, and just plain folk to refresh, relax and rejuvenate in the spas that built up along Bathhouse Row. This is an odd National Park indeed as it includes not just the mountain and the springs, but the historical buildings of Bathhouse row and the center of town. One of the bathhouses is now a brewery, Superior Bathhouse Brewery, which makes its beer using the water from the hot springs. Julie and I can attest to the deliciousness of the Beez Kneez Kolsch made with basil and Arkansas honey! The kids can attest to the homemade root beer, also made with the spring water, in the yummy root beer floats. Hot Springs is a cute little town, but the drive through the Ouachita National Forest to make our way to Oklahoma was pretty barren with not much to see by windy, poorly-paved roads and trees, and a few corrugated tin shacks that reminds us of the poverty that still exists in the country. Fortunately we made it to the highway before a torrential thunderstorm hit that forced us to pull to the side of the road. We had to redirect our route in Fort Smith as the main road got washed out! It was a little scary, but as we crossed into Oklahoma, the skies cleared and the temperatures cooled for a nice evening at the Little Turtle RV park in Eufala, OK. So we are all feeling....OK.
- comments