We said our goodbyes to Elvis, and headed to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. Being Sunday, the traffic was fairly light and we made good time. We left at 7:45 and arrived at the Hot Springs National Park KOA at 11am.

We were only going to be here one night so we only had this afternoon to visit the park. We ate lunch in camp and headed out around 1pm. First we needed to fuel the Beast. Walt didn't stop along the way to fuel and we have no friends in this area to rescue us if he ran out...again. The Beast was good to go.

We drove to Hot Springs AR looking for the entrance to the park and the visitors center, which normally would be located somewhere out of town. The Hot Springs National Park was the most unique park we have ever visited. In addition to the usual acres and acres of forest, camping sites and an abundance of hiking trails, it also included Bath House Row in downtown Hot Springs. Back in the 1800's people came to this area for therapeutic soaking/bathing. Hot water bubbles up at an average 143 degrees from deep recesses in the earth's core. The water bubbling up is over 4,000 years old. Fancy bathhouses with a Spanish Flare were built to attract the wealthy. From there, businesses sprang up to service and entertain visitors. Today, all the bathhouses have been repurposed except for one or two. What is really special is that the hot spring water is available at jug filling stations all around town that anyone can access. Bring a tea bag and a tea cup and have a hot cup of tea as you stroll through town.

After we toured the Fordyce Bathhouse, we drove up to the top of Hot Springs Mountain, a 3.5 mile drive, to the tower. The tower is a 216-foot observation tower that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. However, we could only go up to the second level. The top level was closed due to wasps. Being in a National Park, you have to let nature take its course. The wasps won out. The views were still pretty spectacular from the lower level.

We headed back to camp to relax before dinner and cards. Tonight was our turn to cook. We served up Shish Kabobs and a Pear Salad.

Tomorrow, we have a long drive to Oklahoma City. We wish we had more time. We heard about a couple of places in Arkansas that sounded kind of fun..like Crater of Diamonds State Park where you can hunt for diamonds and it is "finders keepers". We may just have to come back to Arkansas.