We arrived in Hot Springs February 25th and fortunately missed the rain. Still had to set up with wet roads and grass, but not raindrops falling on my head (sing the song in my head as I write this, thanks B.J. Thomas).
Our site for the week.
At Catherine's Landing. Behind us is the Ouachita River.
One of the many crossing signs you see as you arrive at Catherine's Landing.
Other RVers believe. But Bigfoot says,
"If they ask, you never saw me." anonymous
Sunday, we set out to go to the store, but stopped at Red Lobster for lunch and then rain hit. Our waitress, Heaven Leigh, was fantastic, she was from the Houston area but moved to Hot Springs when hurricane Harvey hit. She also had another job at the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and worked at the Oak Room, she was going to be bar tending that night. So, we went there and had dinner. I found my favorite slot machine and basically lost. We went grocery shopping on Monday.
Me, Heaven and Hubby.
Tuesday was a good day, the sun was out, it was warm, and we decided if we were going to do any sightseeing it would have to be that day. We went to Hot Springs National Park. It was very interesting. Hot Springs, Arkansas, gets its name from the naturally thermal spring waters that are found there. Flowing out of the ground at an average temperature of 143 °F, the hot springs produce almost one million gallons of water each day.
Native Americans called this area "the Valley of the Vapors," and it was a neutral territory where all tribes could enjoy its healing waters in peace. Spanish and French settlers claimed the area in the mid-1500s.
The hot springs were such a coveted natural wonder that in 1832, President Andrew Jackson designated Hot Springs as the first federal reservation. Hot Springs Reservation was essentially America's first national park, predating Yellowstone National Park by 40 years.
In 1862, during the Civil War, Arkansas Governor Henry Massie Rector feared that Little Rock might be captured by Union troops. He had all of the state records relocated to Hot Springs, and from May 6th through July 14th of that year, Hot Springs served as the state capital.
Site of the State Capital of Arkansas during part of the Civil War.
The Arlington Hotel was completed in 1875 and was the largest hotel in the state at that time. In 1887, the Army and Navy Hospital, the first combined general hospital treating patients from both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, opens in downtown Hot Springs. It was the first hospital of its kind in the nation. Between 1892 and 1923, eight bathhouses were built on what's known today as Bathhouse Row. Thoroughbred racing began in Hot springs with the construction of the Essex Park in1904. The following year, Oaklawn Park opened, and it was soon the only racing venue in the city.
Hot Springs National Park.
Monument to the Park Rangers.
The Arlington Hotel. Al Capone maintained suite 443 here.
The water is warmer that you would think, we could see steam
coming off of the rocks where the water flowed down.
In just a decade, the area changed from a rough frontier town to an elegant spa city centered on a row of attractive Victorian-style bathhouses, the last ones completed in 1888. In 1912 Congress established the Nation Park Service, Hot Springs Reservation became Hot Springs National Park. Bathhouse Row and the Grand Promenade were designated as a National Historical Landmark District in 1987.
One of the bathhouses on Bathhouse Row. Lucky Luciano was
arrested in Hot Springs for the last time on the Promenade behind
the Ozark Bathhouse. He was in town gambling and taking baths.
Today, you can still soak in the thermal waters and the hot springs are pumped into several downtown hotels and spas. The water is even available at public fountains. "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall ever thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:14 (NASB).
Fountain on the road to Bathhouse Row.
I had to take the picture at the right time.
To avoid having people and cars in the photo.
Fun fact: Just as the Native Americans had Hot Springs as neutral ground for all tribes. Gangsters and Mobsters did the same.
Wanted to tour, but unfortunately the last tour was already done for the day.
The Ohio Club on Central Avenue is considered Arkansas' oldest continually operation bar. It was founded by John "Coffee" Williams and is nephew, Sam Watt, in 1905. It became a popular water hole and meeting place for notorious figures such as Al Capone, Charles "Lucky" Lucians, and Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, as well as local legends like Owen "Owney" Madden (a gangster and underworld boss in New York City who retired in Hot Springs) and Arkansas gambling czar William Stokley Jacobs. The Ohio Club has never closed its door despite bans on both gambling and alcohol. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 25, 1985.
The Ohio Club.
Tuesday was also the day hubby played Disc Golf. I was the caddy, it works out better for me emotionally and physically.
At Catherine's Landing.
Starting off with hole number one.
Hubby's score. I made sure it was accurate.
We also chilled before dinner with homemade guacamole and Belinda's homemade salsa. Now that was yummy. By the way, because we walked around the RV resort, walked downtown, walked during Disc Golf and then times I walked the dog, I had over 11,000 steps that day. It has been a long time since that has happened.
Yum Yum!! Thank you, Belinda!
Well, Wednesday rain was coming to the area. We weren't sure about the timing, so around noon we set off to walk for our 40 minutes. We were able to walk for 27 minutes and then the rain came. Later that evening there was a tornado warning, so we met new people at the RV resort by the storm shelter. We thanked the Lord for sparing us from a tornado. It was a little freaky.
Thursday, another off and on rainy day. I did get the bed sheets washed; it is a longer process than one would think. My washer/dryer is on the small side, so I was the bottom fitted sheet first so that nothing will get trapped in the fitted corners and then the top sheet with the pillow cases. The entire process is approximately five hours.
Friday was my birthday. "Keeping it real" I turned 59 (even though my driver's license said I should be 60 - long story). It is hard to imagine that next year I will be 60. Where has the time gone and am I doing my best to do the Lord's will? I am also nervous for the next decade as I watched my grandma deal with Alzheimer’s in the beginning of her 60th year. Let's not take any time for granted, you never know what tomorrow brings.
Hubby took me to The Vault for my birthday dinner. It was a bank that opened in 1909 and is located in the historic downtown of Hot Springs. This building is one of the few buildings in Arkansas that features "Tiffany Brick." It has a baked-in finish that is shiny. The official restaurant area will be located on the lower level and first floor. Many locals believe that this is where Al Capone kept his money.
Outside the Ohio Club for before dinner drinks.
The Vault
Happy birthday to me!
Inside the Vault.
Another new state! Here are the state bird, tree, flower and motto for Arkansas.
*Arkansas: Northern Mockingbird (Bird), Loblolly Pine (Tree), Apple Blossom (Flower), and Regnat Populus Latin for "the people rule." (Motto).
Saturday, we left for the Memphis KOA, strangely enough it is not located in Memphis but instead in Marion, Arkansas. Today, we will be going to brunch at the Peabody Hotel and waiting to see the ducks. More on that next week.
If there is something special you would like me to take a picture of, please let me know!
Drop a comment for me and let me know your thoughts on the blog.
God, the RV & me...
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