Arkansas
Arkansas, the “Natural State” is a beautiful state. Despite Bill spending many younger years dreaming of life outside Arkansas, he spent this trip pointing out all the things he liked. Hot Springs has a unique history and still today feels very different than any other city we’ve been to. It’s hot spring water was believed to cure ailments, which drove its history of tourism, elaborate hotels, bathhouses, and a huge army navy hospital. The bath houses are pretty much all closed, but the 145 degree water still bubbles up from deep inside the earth (it’s supposedly 4,000 yo rainwater) and the buildings retain their art deco, 100-200-year old looks. Many of the old buildings now house restaurants, breweries and other modern tourist attractions, but without the cheezie tourist feel; some stand empty in some state of disrepair. The town is part of Hot Springs National Park, and hilly trails run from historic downtown to campgrounds and streams, and to who-knows-where-else. My brother-in-law took me on a 5 mile trail run, and I know he runs dozens of miles in these beautiful forested mountains. Much of Bill’s family planned a get-together and we had warm spring weather and were able to enjoy the sunshine and blooms.
We did a quick drive through of Univ of Arkansas, which seems to be a lovely campus and college town. We were impressed with Bentonville, an old but seemingly up-and-coming town with neat modern architecture. It’s home of Walmart offices (and Sam Walton’s original Five&Dime). We toured the small Walmart museum, got $0.50 ice cream, and did some biking on one of the MANY pumptracks. Do you remember me bragging about pumptracks... they are HARD to find and this town has like six! And there are miles and miles of mountain bike and paved bike trails too. There is also a highly regarded art museum/gardens, so this would be a neat future vacation spot.
Derby Day at Oaklawn Racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A million dollars is on the line and the kids are being monkeys! Next time we are buying tickets to the stands and wearing a big hat instead of the silly outfits we threw together from our RV wardrobe. Little did we know that Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn is one of the Grade 1 races (the highest level of thoroughbred horse race).
Thanks to Bill’s risky betting, we broke even at the end of the day.
I got to see my cousin, a New York gal living in Fayetteville, AR. She’ll be saying “y’all” soon.
If I were a mean cousin, I’d post the one of her looking quite frightened going down the kiddie slide, instead of this one of me looking like I’m riding a bull.
This is at the top of Hot Springs Mountain Tower, a lookout in the national park.
Arkansas treated us well with lovely campsites. This one backed up to the babbling Gulpha Creek in Hot Springs National Park, where we had a few family gatherings with uncles, aunts, nephews/nieces/cousins, and Grandpa Campbell.
My bright idea to paint with creek water.
We strolled Garvan Gardens and enjoyed the dogwoods, redbuds, tulips and more.
This was our big grassy campsite in Fayetteville. Zero counter space in the RV -- no problem!! We make cookies outside. This small campground had the best name, see below!
This is Superior Bathhouse Brewery, a great establishment that’s been going strong for many years in one of the old bathhouse buildings. Awesome food and beer.
Cold rainy day walking on Bathhouse Row. Somebody forgot his jacket.
This was the view of downtown from the trail I was running. Trails so near to civilization is a treat.
I’m pointing to the Walmart badge Anina printed me in the museum. Where did that Walmart “SPARK” behind my shoulder come from? Sam’s magic!