HIGHLIGHTS FROM ARKANSAS

Hwy 7 found us on a Scenic Byway climbing in elevation a hundred miles through the mountains of Buffalo National Forest and Ozark National Forest in Arkansas.. High up on the ridgeline were several vista turnout overlooks providing for grand panoramic views of the massive forests and valleys below. The entire drive was incredibly beautiful.

Along the way a tortoise crossing the road, a dog with five beagle puppies wobbling behind on the roadside lined like ducks in a row, a biplane passing low overhead in view, and signs like Booger Hollow, Chigger Hollow, and Who Da Ever Thought We’d Be in Arkansas each gave us a chuckle.

Arriving in Little Rock we stayed at a site for two days by the Arkansas River. Nearby a stroll across the "Railroad Bridge" walkway over the river lead us directly to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library. It was a real treat to be able to leisurely take our time to view all the exhibits there. Traveling back in time to the 1990s, when the world was a little kinder and gentler and the economy booming, felt a bit nostalgic. President Clinton had been in the Library during the morning to deliver the keynote address at the 2012 Arkansas Arts Summit Conference. However, we were unaware of his presence.

As the journey continued sixty miles east to Hot Springs National Park, our Arkansas experience became even more worthwhile. During the 1800s the mountain’s 47 hot springs fed thermal mineral waters to what was considered to be the grandest collection of bathhouses in America--- eight European- style spas along Bathhouse Row.  The word “spa” comes from the Latin phrase “sanus per aquam” meaning health through water. The town of Hot Springs was a popular destination for the wealthy seeking cures in earlier days.  

                                                                                                 

We hiked from the campground Gulpha Gorge Trail  to the Hot Springs Mountain Observation Tower at the summit’s 1100 ft elevation level. An elevator ride took us 650 feet up to the lookout for a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding dense forests. 

Afterwards we drove into town to the only open spa today on Bathhouse Row, Quapaw Baths, and soaked in its thermal mineral pools ranging from 98-104 degrees. The pulsating jets and waterfalls soothed our sore feet and muscles.                                                                                                                        

McClard’s Bar-B-Q boasts the best barbecue in the country according to 1000 Places to See Before You Die. So we headed there and ordered blowout pork ribs, beans, slaw and hot pecan pie a la mode for dinner. Life is Good without a doubt when you find yourself climbing a mountain, soaking in bathhouse mineral waters, and pigging out on ribs all in a day.