Note: As I have previously mentioned, I will be traveling/working in New Zealand throughout the following year (starting August 23rd). I decided to write this proto-diary about central Arkansas to refine my style and get some initial feedback.
Hot Springs quick facts (below the fold):
--Population: 35,750
--The town is nestled in the Ozark Mountains.
--Thermal springs release groundwater at a sweltering 147º F.
--Hot Springs national park nearly surrounds the entire town.
--The national park was established as the countries 18th in 1921, but had been held as a federal reservation since 1832. Making it the oldest national park continually held by the federal government.
-- From the Gilded Age all the way through WWII, the wealthy would visit "bathhouse row" (natural spas and saunas that utilized the heated ground water) for its relaxing properties.
-- Many patrons believed that the mineral water relieved symptoms of polio and arthritis.
--Only one of the six original bathhouses, Buckstaff, is still open.
--Childhood home of Bill Clinton and Billy Bob Thorton.
--McClard's BBQ is Clinton's favorite BBQ place and became famous during his time as president.
--Gangster, celebrities and dignitaries alike have visited the area, including Harry S. Truman, Al Capone, Babe Ruth, John Kennedy, and Jesse James. Capone is particularly famous for staying at the historic Arlington Hotel.
First Impression:
Call me what you will, but the first thing I noticed was the large black population in the area, not something I normally associate with Arkansas. Bill Clinton is commonly called the closest thing to a black president we have ever had and walking around Hot Springs, one can see why. I'll let you make up your own minds about Midland (W's hometown).
Bathhouse row, as seen from the Ozark Mountain Tower.
Fordyce bathhouse, now the visitors center and museum. The museum had pretty much every contraption one can think of, from nozzles to spouts to stretching machines to steam rooms, the bottom line is that you will get relaxed. Picture courtesy of Terra Galleria photography.
More Ozark Mountain terrain. Beautiful.
Me (And look at the shirt!).
Above ground hot spring. It was HO-OT.
Just as impressive as the Arlington Hotel, but less well known, the Hot Springs rehabilitation center was built in 1932 as an Army/Navy hospital and latter turned over to the state of Arkansas for disabled Arkansans.
Arlington Hotel. Built in 1924. Their hotel bar couldn't make me a California Ice Tea, because they had no lemonade. Otherwise a beautiful building. Courtesy of city-data.com
Final thoughts:
First of all, once I get to New Zealand, I expect these posts and my comments to be a lot more subjective. Subjectivity will enable me to comment more on certain political issues in the area. But with only 5 hours in Hot Springs, I really didn't get to know the people behind the buildings. That being said, Hot Springs, as advertised, was a relaxing place to go (do I sound like a sales consultant or what?)