Wednesday, May11, 2022
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| Hot Springs Tower |
After taking care of a couple of mundane tasks, recycling our plastic containers and purchasing a replacement sewer cap plier, we drove up to the Hot Springs Tower.
When living in Hot Springs, Jane owned a pass and would visit the tower monthly. I had only ascended it a couple of times but we were both excited about doing it today. An elevator slowly took us to the top of the 216 ft. tall tower (no jumping or the elevator will stall). We boarded along with a man who was both claustrophobic and acrophobic; he was quiet after he told us this and the elevator starting moving. We let him disembark first.
At the top, we were afforded a beautiful fresh-air panoramic view of Hot Springs and the Oachita Mountains below. After circling the tower a couple of times enjoying the views, we descended a floor and read information displays about the history of the tower and region. On the way driving back to town, we briefly stopped at a community fountain to fill a plastic jug with Hot Springs spring water.
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| Tower View of Hot Springs |
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| Dispensing Fresh Spring Water |
We left the car in the free parking deck and walked up Central Ave to the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only brewery in a national park and the first to offer beer brewed from thermal spring waters. We had to wait to get a table for lunch in the outdoor Biergarten where I enjoyed a golden stout (good but not very stouty) and Jane sampled a flight of four beers. We became engaged in a game of mini corn hole where I quickly knew I was seriously outmatched. Jane sunk her first shot and I took a drubbing as she sunk six more while I was only able to make one. Back inside, we ate so-so lunches with good root beer made from thermal spring water while having a front window view of the pedestrian and vehicular activities along Central Ave.
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| Superior Bathhouse Brewery |
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| The Mini Corn Hole Champion |
After lunch, we walked along Central Ave for about half an hour waiting for the Gangster Museum of America tour to commence. The gangster tour consisted of a guided walk through seven galleries each with photos and items from the period. We watched short videos in each gallery learning about Hot Springs life during the 1920s – 1940s. Our guide was very good adding interesting commentary to the videos. The spring water, gambling, alcohol and brothels attracted visitors, some famous, some infamous, to the region. At times, support of the corrupt city and county governments protected and profited from these illegal activities. One film investigated the creek that flows under Central Ave and showed evidence of a bowling alley that gangsters allegedly had used. Jane has walked through the entire under-street passage and was especially interested in this video.
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| Jane & Scarface |
After the museum, we quickly returned to the RV to freshen up then drove around Lake Catherine (25 minutes by car, 10 minutes by boat) to visit our friends, Barbara and Steve. We reminisced over appetizers and wine in their downstairs den with a peaceful view of Lake Catherine. Then we had a great meal of vegetarian lasagna and strawberry shortcake (with whip cream) that Steve prepared. We also visited Barbara’s art studio in a dedicated building. It was great to see Barbara & Steve after 28 years. They were great hosts and we left in a euphoric mood swarming with memories of good times past.
Back at the RV, the campground was very quiet and dark providing us with an ideal environment for pleasant dreams.
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| Barbara & Steve |