B & D's USA Hideout: Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

You know, it is always the places we know nothing about or the ones we don't think will be as exciting as others that completely surprise us. Hot Springs National Park was so cool or maybe I should say so hot. It is still speculative how 4000 year old rainwater becomes an average temperature of 143 degrees F. All we know is that the rainwater finds its way deep into the earth and then basically percolates back upward before it can cool. There are hot springs located on the east and west coast of this country but only this area in particular is world famous. Hot Springs National Park is credited for being the first National Park as it was designated first as Hot Springs Reservation in 1832. It is mostly famous because it is the birthplace of physical therapy, more commonly known then as "Americas Spa". People were sent to the hot springs for medical treatment, rejuvenation and the fountain of youth. Ailments of all kinds were welcomed, anything from polio to paralysis to internal and external diseases.

It is known as Bathhouse row. There was once a long row of bathhouses all flowing with hot water and tending to the ill. It was at the height of popularity during the prohibition era and when Jim Crow laws were still in effect. Most bathhouses were built from wood and eventually rotted or burned down. Rising levels of medical technology dismayed doctors from sending patients to the springs. The National Park Service was able to step in and restore some of the bathhouses to its original state. The bathhouses have beautiful hand laid tile floors, marble everywhere and gorgeous stained glass in every window.

Brian and I got to experience this hot springs miracle treatment first hand. We visited the Buckstaff Bathouse for the whole shebang. Back then it cost 55 cents to take a bath. It cost Brian and I a little more today but we were pampered the old fashioned way. The traditional bath involves a whirlpool bath, a steam cabinet, sitz bath, hot towels, a cooling shower and to top it off a 25 minute massage and paraffin hand treatment. It was very authentic and we both left feeling like Al Capone.

We also enjoyed other parts of town, there were a lot of funky little shops and restaurants. We totally loved the Superior Bathhouse Brewery. We paired a couple flights with a meat and cheese plate and enjoyed heaven.

We stayed at the Gulpha Gorge Campground, the park's only camping area. It was nice, we were right on a river and just outside of town. The last place we visited was the Garvan Woodland Gardens. Tulips and hyacinth were in bloom and filling the air with spring.

This was such a cool stop and we would definitely recommend it to anyone passing through.