Some Like it Hot

The first national park on this grand adventure was Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, AR.

It seems we are passing on the sign picture tradition… as everyone wanted a picture of the sign with their camera. 

The town of Hot Springs was built to capitalize on the hot springs of water coming out of the ground in that area. 

Numerous bath houses were built here in the early 1900s.  

You could actually feel the heat coming from the ground near the spring. 

And we were able to stick our fingers in and touch it.  It was indeed hot. 

After touching the hot spring we took a walk around the promonade.

  It was wonderful to get out and stretch our feet.  It was a beautiful evening for a stroll (or cartwheels). 

And we even found some dirt and rocks!

Before we left we filled our water bottles with fresh, hot spring water. 

One of the rangers told us that people will drive monthly from hours away to fill up jugs of this fresh, unpolluted spring water.  While I don’t think Hot Springs will rank amongst the top of the National Parks we visit this trip, it was a fun stop and it exceeded my expectations.