A Trip to Hot Springs

Last weekend, we met Jack & Middy in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We arrived on Thursday and went home on Sunday. We rented a nice condo on Lake Hamilton, and had a very good time.

The Condo
It had four or five levels.

The View from those big windows.
On Friday, it was overcast all day but
Saturday was a very pretty day.

On Friday, we started out shop
hopping in downtown Hot Springs.

Jack & George trekking
the downtown streets.
They look like men on a mission, huh?
Mission impossible?

These glasses are obviously
couture but Middy didn't buy them.
They matched her jacket too!

Middy tried to talk Geo into buying
this visored hair but it was a no go.
It's probably couture too!

After the stores, we had coffee and cobbler to warm us up before heading over to tour the Fordyce Bathhouse.

Hot Springs is known for it's bathhouses, some of which still operate today. We heard that it's a nice and relaxing experience but I just don't want someone giving me a bath! For one thing, they might go blind. I picture them running, screaming from the building, "My eyes! My eyes! Ahhh! My eyes!"

Anyway, we started
in the Men's Bathhall.
(Click the photo to enlarge it for reading.)

And here's a live picture
of the picture above
(minus the men).

This stained glass was in the
ceiling just above the
sculpture in the previous picture.

We tried to get a feel for the times!

Look at all these gadgets from
back in the day. I didn't pay
attention to what they were
used for but don't you think
they look important?

Jack getting electrocuted!

It's quite clear that these shady
characters are trying to
escape from the asylum!

Nobody tried these sweat boxes out.
Frankly, I think they're a bit creepy.

Actually, I'd be afraid someone would
come along and throw a load of
laundry in on top of me! Or maybe
try running me through a
permanent press cycle to dry!

I had to share these
three stained glass windows.
Pretty, huh?

After leaving the bathhouse, we climbed to the top of these steps which led to path after path after path. We ended up hiking up a mountain for a good hour. We'd see a path with an arrow and a sign that would read: ".2 miles" so we'd take it. We'd get to the top of that path only to find another sign: ".1 mile," and then, oh no, at the top of that path another sign: ".2 miles" and on and on.

Some of these paths were a very steep climb too! At times, I thought it'd never end! I almost wanted to wimp out but I was with all these healthy, in-shape people! Well, Jack and Middy are in shape and George faked it. Okay truthfully, it turned out to be quite invigorating and I liked it!
Finally, we arrived at what we thought was the top of the mountain but there was suppose to be a tower. We didn't see it anywhere so we headed back down the mountain, taking the path marked "shortcut!"

Later, we got in the truck and drove up the mountain. We all broke into laughter when we discovered that if we'd have only walked another 30 feet, we'd have seen that the tower was only 100 yards away!

We parked the truck and
checked out the tower. We didn't
want to pay $7.00 each to go
to the top so we didn't stay long.

Someone suggested that we check
out the Arlington Hotel so we did.

Creative picture taking

in the mirrored doors!

After we left the Arlington, we spent about 2-1/2 hours at Oaklawn Casino before going to dinner at Fisherman's Wharf. The atmosphere and food were both excellent! We were all very pleased.

After dinner, we went back to
the condo for fun and games.

Saturday morning, we walked

down to the dock.

Our condo from down a level.
It's the windows on the right.

After exploring the dock, we drove through lake front neighborhoods and then tried out a restaurant on the water called Doe's. The sign said "World Famous for steaks and tamales." Jack, Middy and I ordered the tamales, and we all thought that they were fabulous!

We sat by the water on the dock.

And enjoyed ourselves...

It was a very nice day too.

A very nice lady saw me taking
pictures and offered to take our
picture. We took her up on it.

I think she did a good job but I
should have put on my sun glasses!

After we left Doe's, we went to the condo to watch the Tennessee vs. Alabama football game. We intended to go back to Doe's to try out their steaks for dinner but while watching the game, we ate so much that we opted to stay put and watch more football--Texas played Mizzou that evening. In the process, we ate and ate and ate some more!

We really had a nice time and I learned that whenever we get with Jack & Middy, I need to be in tip top shape because we always end up hiking! I did much better this time (on a much longer hike) than I did the last time in Branson but I plan to be even more prepared the next time. George and I have been sick with flu-like symptoms since we got back but I'll be on the treadmill as soon as I'm able!

Smilin' and Gettin' in Shape
(but not the shape of a circle),
D~~~~