Hot Springs National Park

 July 8, 2022

Treasure Isle RV site A3

Hot Springs, Arkansaas

Hot Springs hosts one of the smallest National Parks.  It is centered around a row of 8 bath houses that offered healing treatments of Mother Nature's hot spring water.  The Fordyce's Spring bathhouse is now the Welcome Center and museum for the National Park with it's marble floors and stained glass dome ceiling.

It's interesting to note that this colorful ceiling that is above this statue

is located on the Men's side of the bathhouse. 

The men would sit on the benches while waiting their turn in the tubs.  The lady's side lacked the opulence.

After a hot spring water treatment, you would spend time in the cooling room

while your body returned to its normal body temperature.  

They even had a set up for the handicapped to lower them into a tub

The top floor was laid out with a parlor and rooms for those spending the night. Two of the eight bath houses are still available for 'spa' treatments.  

I think Dad was wondering what Momma had gotten him into when she guided him to Mountain Drive.  The road was full of twists and turns as they climbed higher and higher.

I think you can understand why they posted a vehicle length limit of 30 ft.  Many tight switchbacks.

But when they arrived at an altitude of just over 1000 ft and the Mountain Tower, they decided the drive was worth it.

What a view

And they didn't even have to climb the stairs to reach the top of the 216 foot structure, but you do have to purchase a token to gain access to the elevator.

Thankfully, Mountain Drive is one way traffic only so the only challenge was negotiating the turns with no worries of meeting on coming traffic.

Dad got a chuckle out of this shirt on display at the tower gift shop

But the biggest smile arrived when he saw this sign.

Too bad the trip on Mountain Drive was so short.  We were still reading full on the gauge and didn't need a fill up. 

It's still HOT here.  I kind of forget that when I'm inside enjoying the AC cooled air.  I beg to go outside and play ball, but I'm whipped after a couple of tosses in the 100 degree climate.  The thermometer here is recording temperatures much higher than at home.  I thought we left Florida to get out of the heat.  There's something wrong with this senario!!

I'm Chloe