Candlewood Suites Hot Springs

... been to before). The drive up to the observation tower was a windy road but Lola faired well up the curves. It was so foggy and raining/misting that we couldn't see the top of the tower so we decided to not to go up. We proceeded on to the 2 1/2 - 3 mile hike and found the rock. I think I'm attaching one of those pictures as well. The series of rocks is and old Indian Novaculite Quarry. Hard to explain but it's like the Novaculite rock was one massive piece and was hit with an axe ...

... the Bathhouses. Jesse opted for a modern bath experience at the Quapaw Baths and Spa while Bek chose a more traditional experience at the Buckstaff Baths. The Quapaw Baths is a modern spa with several pools at differing temperatures, you don bathers and move from pool to pool at your leisure. Buckstaff Baths is a more traditional bathing experience where women bathe separately to the men and clothing is not allowed. You enter ...

... into the field I started to realize the field was much like clay, shoes were sticking as I walked and I mentally imagined my shoes were going to get pulled off my feet. They didn't but I could see it happening. We dug and checked out the sluice tables for about an hour. No diamonds were found, I had my rocks and minerals checked to find I had found Jasper, Calcite, and Quartz. I am now going to be looking things up to see mineral and stones found ...

... actual items that were in the oval office and the cabinet room showing the seating for the cabinet room. It gave me some insight into what all the presidents do. They had in the library the itineraries for everyday of the presidency. I even got to see the notes and itinerary from when President Clinton was in Champaign Urbana Illinois at the University of Illinois my senior year. That also happens to be when Air force one got stuck at Willard Airport in Savoy ...

... get in a hot bath. Andy loved it!!

Arkansas rocks--- crystal mines are scattered in the hills beckoning one to come and dig through their tailings for treasure. We decided ,due to the mostly nasty weather and not really being all that into getting muddy, to go to the store. A virtual field of crystals, glass and rocks - Interesting and fun. Rocks always have me thinking about my Aunt Mama Dot. She ...

... my parents didn't even know I was in Arkansas).

The plan went off without a hitch (except for going the wrong way on a bypass once), and my family was very surprised. Luke and Jenna ate dinner with us and then kept going on their way. We stayed at the lake house until Monday afternoon, swimming and watching movies and eating burgers, then I finally headed home.

We got into Hot Springs, Arkansas around noon yesterday. From the plane all you see are hills and green. Being from Miami.. that's a lot of green.

My two great aunts, Mary and Ramonita, were already waiting for us when we landed in the private airport. On the way to Mary's house all you see are tree's and randomly placed houses. We drove through "downtown" and Ramonita started complaining about the ridiculous traffic.. which was like ten cars on the road. I couldn't help but laugh ...

Hot Springs is the bathing capital of the world. Old documents show that American Indians bathed in the hot springs during the late 1700s and early 1800s. Some believe that the traces of minerals and an average temperature of 143 degrees Farenheit give the waters whatever therapeutic properties they may have. Today, people still come to Hot Springs for therapeutic relief.

... 5 mins in a back bath followed by 5 mins in a needle shower. Finally there is a 10 minute massage. Overall it was a good experience and worth the $50. We'd spotted a Brau Haus further down the street which we walked down to where MJ imbibed 2 pints of Munich Spatan beer - lovely. We had a good chat with the excellent barman. Evening meal was a pizza in our room watching Premonition with Sandra Bullock which was watchable.

For Independence Day weekend, the NCKU (dad's college) alumni group took a trip to Arkansas. It wasn't what I expected. The bus ride felt like it took forever. There was nothing to look at, and it didn't help that Eric and my friend Brian were being immature and obnoxious. On the first day, we went to a town that seemed to revolve around religion ...