Little Rock, AR & Hot Springs, AR (May 31, 2023 & June 1, 2023)

​Andy & Dana at the Sunset Symphony had suggested I stop in Little Rock, AR on my way to Hot Springs, AR to see the Clinton Presidential Library.  I left Memphis early enough to arrive in Little Rock, AR in time for the opening of the Presidential Library.  I walked around the grounds and over the bridge.  It was a beautiful setting.  I then spent over an hour in the Clinton Presidential Library walking down memory lane.  It was fascinating reliving the 90’s and reflecting on the initiatives and policies put in place by the Clinton Administration and how it impacts the world today.  After leaving Little Rock, AR, I got back on the road to Hot Spring, AR.  The geography on the drive was relatively flat until you get closer to Hot Springs, AR where the terrain changes to hills/mountains, trees and water. 
Driving into Hot Springs was like driving back in time.  Hot Springs, AR has preserved their store fronts, and Historic Bathhouses.  The National Park is in downtown Hot Springs, and the oldest and most visited of the National Parks.  In the 1900’s, Hot Springs was among the most visited health and wellness resorts in the USA.  The park spans 5500 forested acres surrounding the city’s downtown portion of the National Park.  During the Ranger talk, he shared the history of the town and the fight over capitalism (desire to push out the poor and minorities) and natural resources (available to all) for the greater good.  The remnants of these decisions still exist in the town today. 
After exploring Hot Springs, AR I drove out to Lake Oauchita State Park to find my campsite for the next few nights.  The Lake is a very popular resort location for the region spanning 975 miles of rugged shoreline encircling 40K acres of waterways for fishing, water skiing, and sailing.  The RV sites were all full and the boondocking Tent sites were partially populated.   I explored the state park and found the beach and the area that had WIFI, and the boat launch that was near my campsite. 
The next day I went back to Hot Springs too late for a strenuous hike, so I took the scenic drive along Fountain Drive up to the Observation Tower.   At the top near Gorda Rock, I found a place to have breakfast and enjoy the view.  When to my surprise a local gentleman came off the trail.  He stopped to talk and shared a bit about the area and told me where to find the cold Hot Springs water at Hallow Spring – at the bottom of Fountain Drive.  All other Hot Spring faucets for public use emitted hot water (95-140 degrees) that came from 4500 feet underground and millennium years old.   After stopping to fill up my water bricks in my car with the cold Hot Springs water, I took a walk along the Grand Promenade and through town.  I had lunch at the Hot Springs National Park Brewery – the only brewery in a national park.  After lunch I headed to Hamilton Lake and explored the surrounding communities.  It was odd to find upscale homes, middle class homes right next to properties with trailer homes (some run down) all mixed in a single neighborhood.  I headed back to Lake Oauchita State Park to relax in the shade during the hottest part of the day.  IN the late afternoon I took a walk to the marina, beach and back to my campsite.  It was a lovely night relaxing overlooking the lake.