Hot Springs NP!
We are at Hot Springs National Park for a 5-day stay. The main thing we did here was go to the famous bathhouse row where they put you in bath tubs filled with hot spring water. In the past, it was popular because they thought it healed everything; modern medicine might be better now, but it was still really nice to relax in the tub. My dad and I went because the age limit was 10, so Eli sadly could not go. When we first got there, they told us to change, and we put on our swimsuits and then they took us to the bath where we soaked for 20 minutes in the hot spring water. They took us to the sitz tub where they sprayed hot water down your back. Next was my favorite part, the vapor cabinet. Where they put you in this box and only your head was sticking out. Inside was hot vapor, and it felt great! Finally, they took us to a soft mat where we laid on a sheet, and they put hot wet towels on you. We lay there for a couple of minutes; we were like warm burritos! Then we switched out, and my mom got to go by herself. It was really nice and relaxing to be in the hot spring water, and I definitely enjoyed it!
There were also lots of hiking trails around the park. One started in our campground. It was a big uphill section to start, but the view from the top was beautiful. You could see all of the town. We continued hiking and got to the observation tower. We went up the elevator to the top and had even better 360-degree views. They also had a little bit of history about the area. Like Al Capone, the famous mob boss used to love the bath houses. Also, Babe Ruth used to play here during spring training. Bill Clinton also graduated from Hot Spring High School. In total, it was about a 4-mile hike and it felt all uphill but overall it was a cool place to see.
We ate at the brewery in town before we left. It makes its beer from the spring water. My mom and dad said it was really delicious. I had a burger, like always, and it was an 8.76/10. The other cool part of the town was that you could fill up your water at local taps of the spring water. One was hot and the other was cooled down. It was the best-tasting water! Highly recommend.
Next stop is Murfreesboro, AR and diamond Crater State Park
Current leg: 69
Total miles: 5,456 Miles