Hot Springs National Park

Tuesday, we left Texas to make the 150 mile drive to Crystal Springs Campground, 15 miles from Hot Springs, Arkansas.  This is another Corps of Engineers Park on Lake Ouachita.

Here's our view out the back window.

The Canadian Geese come visit each morning.

We woke up the first morning and saw the steam rising from the lake.  It was cooler than normal and the high was only supposed to be in the low 80's, very unusual for this time of year.

We knew we had to take off and make the best of this cooler than normal weather.

First, we drove over to the Blakely Mountain Dam

and drove over the spillway

then, took the stairs from the top of the spillway down to the lake.

Our next destination was Hot Springs National Park.

The National Park had its beginnings as Hot Springs Reservation to protect the 47 hot springs. The government took active control of the springs after all the private claims on reservation land were settled in 1877.  It approved blueprints for private bathhouses ranging from simple to luxurious.  The government even operated a free bathhouse for those unable to pay for baths recommended by their physicians.  Hot Springs came to be called "The American Spa."  Bathhouses were up and down the magnolia lined walkway.  However, as time went on, things changed and most bathhouses were closed by the 1960's and had fallen into disrepair.  In 2004, funds were received to begin restoration.

We started our tour on the Grand Promenade walkway.  It is a half mile walk behind and above Bathhouse Row.  People would walk up and down parading their fashions after relaxing in the baths.

Just before you head off on the Grand Promenade route, this beautiful building can be seen on top of the hill. It is now the Arkansas Career Training Institute, but it was originally the Army and Navy General Hospital.  The first one was built on this site in 1886 as the first permanent military hospital in the U.S. The present building was built in 1933.

We loved looking at the architecture throughout the town.

Next, we headed to the Fordyce Bathhouse that has been completely restored and is open for self guided tours.  There is also a guided tour each afternoon at 2.  This was the best bathhouse in Hot Springs in 1915.

Water coming directly from the hot springs is 143 degrees then is cooled to 100 degrees for bathing.

The men's bath hall has marble benches and this bronze statue in the middle

and this gorgeous stained glass window in the ceiling.

Here's Music Room with the Women's Lounge on one end and the Men's Lounge on the other.  I loved the stained glass panels in the roof.

There was even a complete gymnasium on the third floor.

Quapaw Bathhouse is now opened as a day spa.

Buckstaff Bathhouse has been in continuous operation since it opened in 1912 and you can still have the "hot springs bath experience" here.

 After our tour and walk throughout the town, we stopped at the fountain outside the Administration Building to fill our water bottles with water being pumped directly from the hot springs.  There are several fountains throughout the town where you can bring your containers to fill them with the spring water at no cost.

 We had visited Hot Springs about 10 years ago and it was wonderful to see that the buildings have been restored and are in use again.

4th Of July Weekend

'Twas the day before the 4th and there was nary a rig in the campground, 

but by the end of the day, it was full.  Thankfully, the campsites are large and pretty well separated, so even though it was crowded, it wasn't unpleasant.

We went over to the Arkansas side of Texarkana to watch their fireworks display.

 And on Sunday, just about everyone left with only the remembrance of their trash.  :)

Present Turns Into The Past At Washington, Arkansas

The weather has really been nice, a lot cooler than normal, especially for Texas this time of year.  Friday, there was a chance of rain, but we decided to make a visit to Washington State Park in Arkansas since it will be in the 90's next week.

Washington State Park is in Washington, Arkansas, about 11 miles from Hope and about an hour from where we are.  The town was established on George Washington's birthday in 1824. There are 30 restored homes in the park.

  

We checked in at the Visitor's Center and were given a map along with the list of houses that were open.  

Each house that is open has a docent in period costume who takes you on a tour of the house complete with stories of that time and answers any questions you have.

Goats were grazing in a fenced yard.

This is a large herbal garden that the docent took us through explaining what all the herbs were used for.

Wooden sidewalks are throughout the town.

At the Sanders Home, the docent took us through the entire house and then showed us the complete process of taking cotton from the picked cotton to the spinning it into yarn.

All the docents go to lunch from 12-12:30, so we went too eating at the Williams Tavern Restaurant in the park.

The magnolias are beginning to bloom.

There is an enormous magnolia tree that was planted in 1839.

We walked inside the massive tree to take a closer look.

Our next stop was the Royston Log Cabin.  The docent there took us to the back porch to show how early settlers made the house with logs and clay and then place siding over it as it became available.

Here's an early Murphy bed.

Washington was a major trading town on the Southwest trail. James Bowie, Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and Stephen F. Austin all passed through on their way to Texas.

This is the blacksmith shop of James Smith who forged one of the original Bowie knives for James Bowie.

We also dipped candles at the candle making shop, but didn't have time to tour the Weapons Museum.  The clouds were building up and we decided to head back home after a wonderful day.

Washington is a little off the beaten path, but is certainly worth a visit.