Wednesday we got up early and drove the 10mins from our campground to the Hot Springs Visitor center in the center of town. Our new friend at the campground told us the town has 5 spots for RVs. We arrived around 8AM and made our breakfast in the parking lot. It was a great parking spot.
Since nothing really opens until at least 9AM, we walked the streets and got a lay of the land. It was a rather chilly walk but the town is quite interesting. The hot springs have been used by people since the native Indians walked this ground. In 1832 they were designated a reservation by the federal government to prevent it from being developed commercially. It still puzzles me a bit how the bath houses came about since all the property is part of the park.
The national park welcome center is in what was once the Fordyce Bathhouse, it is huge (28,000 sqft) and worth the free tour.
Typical soaking tub, there are many many rooms like this.
Gathering room, check out the stained glass ceiling.
The bath houses were places of therapy and recuperation, they even had a gym.
The military established a Army-Navy hospital here to take care of the wounded. Originally established in 1887 and replaced in 1930 with the current impressive structure. It is now run by the State of Arkansas.
After touring the town we decided to hike up to the Tower, it is a bit over a 1/2 mile each way or you can drive it. When you get to the top there is a 216 ft tower overlooking the town. We took the stairs, 304 steps to get to the top, we were not cold anymore.
The views from the top are spectacular. Our RV can be seen in this photo, you will have to trust me.
After the hike we walked the Promenade a bit, it is over one half mile of bricked walkway.
By then we were ready for lunch. The Superior Bathhouse Brewery had been recommended to us by our campground friend. Unfortunately they were having some private event that was supposed to be over at 11, then 11:15 then 12...so we bailed. It was disappointing, but we got over it. We moved down the street to the 'Copper Penny Pub', a very nice Irish pub. I got some really good Mac and Cheese and still got to sample the Superior craft brew since they had it on tap. June got a coffee stout from WiseAcre brewery in Memphis, we might find them on Thursday or Friday.
After lunch we headed for Memphis, it was an easy drive, we arrived around 4:30PM and checked into our campground. We debated going downtown, but we had enough for one day.
We plan to visit Graceland tomorrow.
I had hopes of semi-public hot spring baths but they are all commercialized for health reasons. I did not want to spend the money to be indoors. :( quaint town tho and w got our walking/views in. The campground was nice too.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to settle for a hot shower in the Serenity! Sounds like an interesting place.
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