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| Hot water comes out of the side of the mountain in Hot Springs AR |
We weren't sure what to expect in Arkansas. What we got was a VERY pleasant surprise.
We decided to drive "the back way" from Fort Smith to Hot Springs on secondary roads. It was the most direct route on the map, but the winding roads around and through scenic mountains were not the fastest route. The roller coaster was a little difficult in a 30 foot long motor home but definitely worth the trip. It was certainly pretty.
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| Historic Bathhouses along Central Avenue |
Hot Springs is named for the hot water that comes out of cracks in the side of the mountain. Initially, the hot water collected into a creek that ran down the center of a ravine. People started setting up bathhouses using the naturally hot water. In 1832, the US set up four preserves of this mineral rich 140 degree water, the first time it protected any natural resource. In 1884, the federal government built a covered channel for the creek, paving over the top in what is Central Avenue today. In 1921, Hot Springs was made the 18th National Park (Happy 101 Birthday NPS!).
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| Fordyce Bathhouse |
In 1877, elaborate bathhouses were built siphoning this medicinal water into tubs to soak in and cups to drink. A handful of these bath houses remain today. One, the Fordyce Bathhouse, has been preserved by the National Park Service. You can see bathing rooms with ornate stained glass skylights and statuary. There is a gymnasium, and rooms for recovering and resting after your hot water treatment.
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| Ladies bathing area in the Fordyce Bathhouse |
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| Skylight in the men's bathing area in the Fordyce Bathhouce |
The bathhouses were located all along one side of Central Ave, and affiliated with hotels that were located on the other side. On the side of the hill behind the bathhouses is a brick paved promenade where visitors could stroll and visit with each other. It is a lovely setting.
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| The Promenade |
Along various corners of Central Ave are fountains where anyone can fill containers with the hot water. We parked next to a very busy corner where we saw a stream of local residents fill their many empty gallon containers. We ran some into a coffee cup. Boy, was it hot! It was delicious!
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| Hot water from a fountain |
Hot Springs is also known for its delicious, cool spring water. There are cool water fountains around town as well. It was so yummy that we drained what water we had left in the 65 gallon water tank in the motor home and filled it with wonderful fresh spring water from the campground water supply.
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| Hot shower anyone? |
By the way, they brew beer with this lovely water. Hot Springs is the only National Park with a brewery. The beer was good, too.
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| Steam therapy |
The other beautiful part of Hot Springs are the lovely mountains and trails. We camped in the NPS campground located in scenic Gulpha Gorge. It was so beautiful, with rugged steep, forested sides and a stream babbling through it.
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| Tub for handicapped patients |
After 19 hours in Hot Springs we headed off to Little Rock to visit the Bill Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. We didn't see much of Little Rock - that will be another visit. The Clinton Library is a beautiful museum. Down the center is a long timeline of what was happening in the world and during the Clinton Presidency. In bays along the outside are exhibits highlighting thematic aspects of his term. It was our first visit to a modern presidential library and very impressive.
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| At the Clinton Library |
Arkansas is a gem, worth more visits. Its' considerable natural beauty have earned it the deserving nickname of The Natural State.
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