Well we got to Hot Springs just in time for Duckboat Tour of downtown and Lake Hamilton. It is one of the 3 large lakes around Hot Springs. Lots of condos, boat rental marinas, etc. Very nice. Kind of reminded me of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence. Not that much to see however besides condos and big houses on the shores of the lake. Did see Bill Clinton's high school. Didn't bother with house. They call the ride from Hope to Hot Springs to Little Rock the Billgrimage. One main street in town which is Bath House Row on one side and touristy shops, antiques, and art galleries on the other. The National Park Service runs the bathhouse row side that includes park, promenade, etc. One of the bath houses is a museum and visitor center they run. See pictures. There are 3 bath houses standing empty in case any of you have any ideas. One of them is a museum and another is a spa. One is still actually a bath house. Right above the row sits the old military hospital that is now the Arkansas State Rehabilitation Hospital.
Story is that Hot Springs became an in-place during late 1800s. Train loads of people came to be cured or just to stay healthy. DeSoto the explorer was here long before that. Jefferson sent expedition to report after the Louisiana Purchase. However, all structures were wood and the place burned to the ground more than once. Revived in the 1920's so all of current buildings of that era. Al Capone and other gangsters liked vacationing here and also used the place for transport of illegal moonshine to Chicago which was labeled as spring water on the trucks and bottles, etc. Everyone kind of lost interest after automobiles became preferred mode of travel so made it an national park to preserve it.
The bath house museum is just great. Very well preserved and lots of physical therapy history. Hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and a gymnasium. See pictures. Reminded me of old PT history pictures.
There are free spring water fountains throughout town with lots of people filling up their bottles. We got some. Very hot and as they said, colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
Had lunch in a place recommended by 2 people. Only so so. Could see into kitchen which was not too clean. Service very weak. Then a stop at Walmart and we were on our way. Lots and lots of new development on the edge of town. One of everything. Can't figure out what people do besides tourism. Terrain is very different. Low mountains now.
Staying at Lake Catherine - Jack said we just had to. It was one of the 3 lakes created by the a dam that was built. Very nice and quite full. It's a big park and seem to be a lot of people here for extended stays. Lots of pictures. Couldn't decide which ones to post. I don't find the people here particularly friendly. Checkout clerk at Walmart barked at me to take my bag so she could use the next one on the bag spinner thing. What a grouch.
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