I got in Hot Water...

 March 20, 2012 For some unknown reason I have been fascinated by the idea of going to Hot Springs National Park. Okay, I know why.  I love water. I love springs. So we went. Our 2 days were rain filled and cold.  We didn't hike any of the trails but we did learn a little something and enjoyed a bath.

 The city is built around and literally over the springs, which means the park is in downtown.  The public faucets for collecting hot springs water for personal use are scattered throughout the downtown.  This faucet provides hot water. It was so nice to have hot water radiating from the Sigg bottles on that cold rainy day.

This picture is goofy and I like it.  For those of you who have known us for a while, can you tell we are aging? lol.

The Visitor center is located in the restored Fordyce Bathhouse.  The traditional bathing methods include hot/cold packs, "medical" treatment, and walks in the woods after bathing.  There are several bathhouses in town and the park service is or has renovated some of them.  After renovation they house gift shops, art galleries, and baths.  The architecture on each building on Bathhouse row is slightly different. A fun JR Ranger activity involved identifying each building using clues from the design style.

Both boys earned a Jr Ranger vest.  They have worked so hard in so many parks.  Way to go!

March 2012