HISTORIC HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

Monday, June 27 – We drove 58 miles this morning to Hot Springs, AR. A beautiful drive through tree covered rolling hills (guess they call these mountains).

As we entered Hot Springs, look at what greeted us.

And right down the road it got even better. With our Kroger card we get an additional 10¢ off! We think we are going to like this place.

We are staying at the Hot Springs Elks Lodge # 380. Very nice Lodge and a pretty nice campground.

They have gravel sites with 50 amp electric and water....no sewer. We are the only RV here. Should be quite comfortable here for the next three days.

Our Site #5

Rest of the five sites.

While Marsha was taking Bella for a walk around the premises, here is what greeted them at the entrance.

Looks think someone needs milked.

We drove downtown and visited the Historic District. This area is made up of the historic Bathhouse Row, several luxury hotels and resorts and tons of little tourist shops.

Each bath house offers a soak in the thermal waters, as well massages and spa treatments. Several of the turn-of-the-century buildings along this popular tourist destination have been fully restored to their original brilliance.

We toured the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum & Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center, that has been beautifully renovated and which now serves as a visitor center for Hot Springs National Park.

This spa remains as it was in the early 1900's so you can see how people came to relax and rejuvenate their selves in the natural healing properties of the hot springs. This area was world famous for their hot springs and was “The Place” to be seen in the early 1900's.

You start on the first floor which contains the Lobby and the Men's Central Bath Hall. The large doomed skylight contain approximately 8,000 pieces of glass. Get this description…Lounging on the marble benches  and drinking the waters, the men enjoyed the club-like camaraderie encouraged in the Fordyce…OH BROTHER!

Continuing on the first floor is the Women's Bath Hall, Cooling Rooms, Pack Rooms, Hydro-Therapy Rooms, Steam Rooms, and a visitor's theater and gift shop.

Since Paul never takes a bath, he has no idea how this works.

But, Marsha is another story.

The Cooling Room was a place for relaxing after the baths, while the body temperature returned gradually to normal.

The temperature of the steam in a vapor cabinet varied from 115 degrees to 140 degrees. This method was used to treat rheumatism, ADVANCED syphilis, jaundice and obesity.

In the Hydrotherapy Room we found this contraption.

Of course, Paul thinks he knows how they used it. Marsha isn't convinced!

Here is an example of the first tanning device.

On the second floor are Men & Women Dressing Rooms, and the Courtyards where nude sunbathing was permitted (men & women separately of course).

Who is that in the men's dressing room?

The third floor houses the Gymnasium....it was neat to see the old medicine balls, climbing ropes, parallel bars, pommel horse, and spring board..... men & women lounges, and courtyard space.

Where have all the Indian Clubs gone?

The basement consisted of all the plumbing and fixtures to feed the various tubs, showers, and spas and more importantly a viewing area of the hot springs which flowed into the building from a hole in the ground.

The spring "covered with glass" fascinated guests so much that a more elaborate and well lighted enclosure was created.

Another famous bathhouse is the Buckstaff. Although many of its competitors closed between 1962 and 1985, the Buckstaff continues to operate as a bathhouse.  On Bathhouse Row, it is the sole operating survivor from the "Golden Age of Bathing."

We always look for unusual hotdog shops when out sightseeing. We found a neat one in downtown Hot Springs. It's BubbaLu's Bodacious Burgers & Classy Dogs.

This place is very nice. If many customers waiting to place orders signifies how good the food is, we are in for a treat. Marsha got the Classic Dog with sauerkraut and Paul got the Coney Dog with onion and cheese. Both were delicious! We shared an generous order of French fries, and a diet Coke. A nice dinner to end our day!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!