Hot Springs, AR - April 2001

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Spring is a wonderful time to be in Arkansas. Mary vw was planning to stop here on her way to a FreeRoaders get-together in Mtn. View. The rest of the Hot Springs mini gtg just happened!

One of the best parts about a get together is the chance to catch up and visit with friends. Here Mary and Ernie visit by the pond.

Bits was getting along in years and couldn't even find the pond. But she enjoyed the fresh spring breezes and looking for little critters

Don and Bits spend some time enjoying the back yard. Don and Grizz were here later than the rest of the group.

Mary, Mary, Robbie, Mary Myra and Ernie chow down on some grilled hamburgers. Robbie and Ernie called and came through town on the way to Mtn. View. When we were at the visitor's center we saw Mary Clark drive through town and chased her down at the national park campground. We also spotted Myra coming out of the visitor's center. She was on the way to Little Rock but we altered her plans. All of a sudden we had 4 small rvs parked at the end of the street and sent the large one to Mary's driveway.

Bill moved to Hot Springs from Hope when he was a young boy and grew up here. Mary was proud to have her photo made with him!

A visit to the old downtown is always fun. Mary and Robbie pose at the entrance to the national park area. In 1832, due to the medicinal properties of the hot water, the springs and surrounding area were set aside by the government as the country's first park-type federal reservation. In 1921, Hot Springs became a national park. The popularity of the springs for medicinal purposes declined in the 1950s due mainly to the invention of new medicines.

Mary, Ernie, Susan, and Robbie stopped at the base of the spring in Arlington Park.
It is said that the Indians declared this area neutral ground, available to all on peaceful terms. DeSoto supposedly visited here in 1541.

Ernie, Maryvw, and Robbie realize 143 degrees is too hot for their feet.
There are 47 springs but this is the only one open.

Maryvw fills her jugs with hot water. The daily flow of water (750,000 to 950,000 gallons) is collected into one central system and distributed to bathhouses and fountains.

Ernie and Mary sampled the hot water in front of the Fordyce Visitor's Center, once a bathhouse.

The Fordyce provides a glimpse into the past history of the national park when Hot Springs bathed the world. Don is ready for a tour.

Don and Grizz came to Hot Springs after spending time at Petit Jean State Park. Here they sample the hot water before touring the Fordyce. I dog sat with Bits.

The Buckstaff still operates as a bathhouse, the only one still to do so. There are six other bathhouses in "bathhouse row" which are closed. Ernie, Myra, Robbie and Mary joined me for a stroll.

Mary and Robbie catch a view of the remainder of Hot Springs from atop the mountain that rises behind batthouse row.

Down town Hot Springs lies between two mountains -West Mountain and Hot Springs Mountain The springs are located on the west slope of Hot Springs Mountain. The mountains and bathhouse row are part of the national park; however, the street lines with shops across from batthouse row are not a portion of the national park. There has recently been a lot of controversy based on the fact that a previous park superintendant gave the city permission to use national park as part of the city's logo.



After touring Hot Springs the group traveled north to Mtn. View.