Hot Stuff

We drove up to Hot Springs Arkansas today and took the winding road up Hot Springs Mountain inside Hot Springs National Park (the smallest National Park). We parked at the observation tower and took the trip to the top, there was a lot of material about the history of the town and the park but the view from the tower was not worth the price of admission; if you visited during peak fall color season (late October into early November), the view may be worth the price of admission.

The Observation Tower.

At the tower we walked the Peak Trail down the mountain into town. Near the base of the mountain we stopped at one of the hot springs and were surprised by how hot the water is (143 degrees).

The vapor you see is from the water, not from John!

We toured the portion of Central Avenue known as Bathhouse Row. During the early 1900’s these elegant buildings were the spa’s of the rich and famous; the Park Service is now charged with preserving the remnants of this era which ended after medical science lost faith in the benefits of the hot spring treatments. The purity of the spring water still has people visiting the city to fill their containers with drinking water.

Along Bathhouse Row we visited the Fordyce Bathhouse which the park service has opened for self guided tours. It was interesting visiting the different rooms that were used for changing, bathing, cooling, massaging, exercising and just hanging out and visiting. The marble, tile, stained-glass and wood work shows the original opulence of these buildings

The Fordyce Bathhouse.

The Fordyce Lobby.

Ladies Changing Area.

Steam Booth and Tub Rooms.

Male Bathing Area.

Gymnasium.

Lounge.

After our stroll along Bathhouse Row we had to ascend the mountain to retrieve our vehicle. After a stroll down a portion of the Grand Promenade we hiked up the Dead Chief trail and Short Cut trail to the top of the mountain where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and the free view. After lunch we did some grocery shopping and then returned to the mothership an KoKo.

Sandy on the Grand Promenade.

The free view during lunch.