Late yesterday, we dropped off Bosco Dog at “sleep-away camp” and loaded our gear into the van, so we were able to get off to a respectable start this morning. The first 500ish miles west was mostly on I-40, which we have driven many, many times. Once we left the interstate at Little Rock and veered south of our well-traveled route, the vacation began!
Quapawman in ceremonial clothing
Hot Springs is a small city in the Ouachita Mountains in western Arkansas that lies within Hot Springs National Park. The area is known for – you guessed it – its natural hot springs and historic bath houses. In its heyday in the 1800s and early 1900s, visitors from around the world descended upon the city to bathe in the thermal waters, thought to have healing powers.
With the discovery of antibiotics, the popularity of Hot Springs as a health destination declined, but due to the beauty of the surrounding mountains and the city's historic architecture, it remains popular with tourists to this day. You can even still take a spring-fed thermal bath, if you wish.
Lodging: Rodeway Inn, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Our time in Hot Springs was limited, so we skipped the thermal bath and just had a look around. For dinner, we had delicious cheeseburgers and local craft beer at Brick House Grill downtown. Our favorite: 10-Point Bock by Bubba Brew's Brewing Company. Great name for a great beer!
Jana begins her vacation
After dinner, we strolled through downtown Hot Springs before returning to the van via the Grand Promenade, a half-mile brick path running behind the city's historic Bathhouse Row.
A National Recreation Trail
Inspired by the Prado in Havana, Cuba
Tom inspects a thermal fountain