We had a nice slow easy start to the day with a lovely breakfast and sitting chatting for a few hours. We weren't sure if we were going to stay at Lena and Dans tonight as no real plans had been made but when John and Stephanie started talking about maybe a day trip to Hot Springs with soaking in hot tubs and massages we were sold!

It took about an hour to drive from Lake Norell to Hot Springs and since we had such a late getaway it was lunch time when we got there so we went spent another hour or so at the Brickhouse Grill. I had a lovely baked spud with sour cream and cheese and a salad and the others had burgers... a few drinks each (except of course for John, our DD) and more great conversation and then it was time to go check out the Bath Houses.

Hot Springs has a pretty interesting history being not only the boyhood home town of Bill Clinton but also it's seen it's fair share of illegal gambling, speakeasies and gangsters. It is of course best known for it's Bathhouse row where so many enterprising business have sprung up over the natural springs, the Native American tribes had been using the thermal springs for many years as the waters are claimed to cure many an illness.

There are only a few open "Bathhouses" today as they had a flood some years ago and most of the places haven't been open since. We managed to make appointments for quarter to 3 and had about an hour to kill so we wandered down the road a bit and ended up at the Arlington Hotel, a grand old place which would have been amazing in it's day with Al Capone and his buddies drinking up a storm and the music of the era blasting out from the bandstand in the lobby. Today it is a little worn but holds it's charm... and it was a great way to get out of the cold and damp weather for a hot baileys coffee with cream on top!! Warmed through we headed slowly back to the Quapaw Baths stopping in a few shops along the way, Rodd bought a T-shirt, I got my magnet and shot glass and in another shop I found a gorgeous "indian" skirt with tassles etc, don't know where or when I'll get to wear it but I just love it!

Back at the baths we went upstairs and were given robes and slippers and taken down to the bath rooms, we'd booked private couples baths so we went off to a room with a lovely hot tub all ready and soaked ourselves for around 20 minutes, it was so nice. The only thing we didn't really like is that we had to walk through the lobby in our gowns ( and nothing underneath ) to get to the baths, that seemed a bit strange to us all and made us feel a little uncomfortable. From the bath we went back upstairs to the reception area to wait for our massage, Rodd and I had a couples massage but the others went off to their separate rooms, to tell you the truth I don't get the couples massage thing, I mean when I get a massage I'm all on my own, don't talk to me I'm just trying to enjoy having a massage... which by the way was wonderful but went by way too fast! That all cost about $150 which we thought was pretty good, Steph reckons the service is a bit better at one of the other places she's been too but all in all it was a very enjoyable experience.

From here we thought we should pop into a bar and have a drink before heading home so we did that.. it was dark by the time we left Hot Springs so obviously too late to decide to stay with Lena and Dan for the night. John suggested we stop for a "roadie" (not that he could drink as he was driving) so we pulled up at a "gas" station and Rodd and I grabbed 2 6 packs of Black Smirnoff and a Reeces Peanut Butter cup bar (cos I've heard of them and just wanted to try them).. total $19.85.. what?? is that right?? Rodd actually asked the lady if she'd got the second 6 pack.. yep she had, Wow how cheap is that?

Another great night, yummy dinner, great company.. we ended up dancing around the lounge room and watching an Eagles DVD.

 1st March... Next morning once again we took it slowly, we briefly talked about taking the 4wd out for a bush bash around the lake but ended up sitting around the breakfast table chatting for hours. The plan was to be at Lena and Dans by about 1.30 for a BBQ with the whole gang so we headed out just after lunch and had a quick tour around the lake before driving to Benton where Lena and Dan live. We had a fabulous afternoon and night there, Lena had gone to so much trouble making the most amazing spread, she had all sorts of delicious nibbles to start and then Dan did his thing on the BBQ and added with the yummy salads Lena had made we were fed like kings and queens.... of course the drinks flowed starting with Lenas "chicktinnies" and ending with shots of some amazing flavoured vodka. It was also lovely to meet Laura and John, good friends of Lena and Dans that were originally supposed to be on the cruise.. John was responsible for the "dessert" (shots). It wasn't too late, or messy, a night though cos we have to be at the airport in Little Rock at 6.30 and the wonderful Dan had offered to drive us.. I did try to insist we get a taxi but everyone laughed at me, seems there's no such thing in Benton!! One more day in the USA then we're homeward bound!