Hot Water

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We are on the road again, this time heading west for the Pacific Coast. We drove as far as Hot Springs, Arkansas and are camped for the night in the Gulpha Gorge Campground in the Hot Springs National Park. Kerry is thrilled to get half price camping in the national parks with his oldtimer’s pass. This is the only national park that is in a city. We have been to the Visitor Center which is in one of the old bath houses. We toured the Fordyce Bathhouse and walked along Bathhouse Row where folks have been coming to partake of the healing waters for 200 years or longer. Several of the old bathhouses are still in use and you can enjoy the baths, get a massage, or just drink the waters, which are available to fill your jugs at several fountains in town.

The drive through west Tennessee and Arkansas was uneventful, a very good thing. I do sincerely believe that there were more trucks than cars on I-40, except around Memphis. The scenery has been green and lush, not the spring greens, but full summer green, thanks to the early spring this year. The hardwood trees are through dropping their pollen, but the pines are still sharing theirs. We are enjoying the green because after tomorrow we’ll be in the dry southwest.

Note: I've been trying to post this since Tuesday afternoon, but Travelblog and my computer seem to be at odds. I'll keep trying.

More later…

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Photos

Fordyce Bathhouse
This is the Visitor Center for the Hot Springs National Park

Fordyce Bathhouse
Fountain in Central Men's Bath Hall

Stained Glass Ceiling
In Central Men's Bath Hall, Fordyce Bathhouse

Men's Shower Stall
Complicated looking set of pipes and handles

Tiled Bath Tub
This one was for those unable to get themselves into the tubs.

Magnolia Blossoms
Bathhouse Row is lined with magnolia trees, all in bloom right now.

Gulpha Gorge Campground
Gulpha Creek in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas