3) Hot Springs National Park – May 5-May 8, 2009

Hot Springs National Park is the only urban park in our national park system. In 1832 President Andrew Jackson (we Tennesseans have such good ideas) signed an executive order that preserved the springs as a reservation for all the people of the United States. This was the first time any land had been set aside for public use and this act is said to be the beginning of what we now call our national park system. This was 40 years before Yellowstone was declared our first national park in 1872.

Arlington Park at the end of Bathhouse Row.

When we drove into the Gulpha Gorge Campground at the park, it was pouring rain, I mean by the buckets. We donned our rain gear and set to work getting our creek-side campsite together. The more it rained the higher the creek rose. The campground host assured us the creek had never breached the wall between the creek and us, but at times we had our doubts. After getting the trailer situated we headed out for the closest Mexican restaurant to get a margarita and to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. By the time we got to the restaurant, the rain had stopped only to start again about 3o minutes after we returned to camp. It poured all night and the creek rose, but like the host said it never came into the campground. I should say Gulpha Gorge is a gorgeous campground, small and in a lovely setting. We were able to listen to the babbling brook lulling us to sleep through the rainstorm.

Gulpha Creek behind the Camper.

Our first order of business at Hot Springs was to check out the Bathhouse Row area and go to the visitor center for information. The Visitor Center is in the Fordyce Bathhouse (no longer an operating bathhouse), and the self-guided tour through this bathhouse is well worth the time. It was one of the more opulent bathhouses and quite beautiful. The stained glass ceiling mosaic in the men’s dressing area is exquisite. We discovered that only two of the bathhouses are open for baths now, and we chose the Buckstaff Bathhouse because of their offer of the traditional bath like done during the early to mid twentieth century. Also it was a walk-in bathhouse and no appointment was necessary. The Quapaw, the other open bathhouse, required a reservation and is more typical of a current day spa experience. We decided to wait until the next day for our bath. It then became a maintenance day for doing the laundry, shopping for groceries, and purchasing a few trailer items we felt would make life easier.

Bathhouse Row Looking South.

The next day came and it was off to the baths. Johnny went along, even if a little less enthusiastic than hoped. You go from a whirlpool bath, to a sitz bath, to the steam cabinet then a hot pack, and finally a needle shower. Johnny got a cool down and I don’t know why that was not included in mine. I loved the whole experience because it was so peaceful and relaxing. You will need to ask Johnny what he thought about the experience.We got in two hikes, one along the Promenade behind the bathhouses and the Gulpha Gorge Trail up to Goat Rock. Goat Rock offers a wonderful overlook of the surrounding hills and forest, a beautiful vista. We had lunch at Angel’s, a good Italian restaurant across from Bathhouse Row. You look out one window and see the national park sign and out the other window and see a sign “Home of Bill Clinton.” We also ate at McClard’s BBQ. Their bar-b-que is world famous, and Bill Clinton’s favorite. He had it shipped to the White house while in residence. We thought it quite tasty, also. The next day saw us headed back to Huntsville to finish up some business we couldn’t get done before we left for the Smokies.

JEK on the Promenade.

More Promenade.

The View From Goat Rock.