Hot Springs, Arkansas

Hello and welcome back, We are excited to show you guys photos from our trip to Hot Springs and Little Rock, Arkansas (two separate posts). In total I took over 500 photos, so it was very difficult to narrow them down to what you see in these two blog posts. I hope you enjoy them and feel like you were there with us.

Since we stayed in the city of Hot Springs, we were only a 15 minute car ride from most of our attractions. Mid to Late September is a good time to visit, if you don't mind rain. There were hardly anyone at the places we visited, which was really nice, because I don't like crowds! That is why I more often than not, travel in the off-season; It is cheaper to do so, you get better deals and you can save a lot of money!

Our first stop was a visit to Hot Springs National Park. The city of Hot Springs is actually built on top of a hot spring that flows underground. When you think of a national park, you think of places like the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. Vast lands with rocks, greenery and such. But Hot Springs National Park is very different,; it kind of caught me off guard. Hot Springs National Park is a small park area, but the city itself is apart of the national park...Imagine that!

As you can imagine it is very green, lush, but not that vast. A rode in the park leads you to the top and you are treated to gorgeous views of the city. There was an observation tower, but it was too foggy from the rain to see anything that day, so we didn't go to the top of the tower to take in the views. In Hot Springs there are shops, restaurants and a famous hotel (the Arlington). The original hotel was destroyed in a fire and then later rebuilt on the other side of the street. In it's place, the city created a small park area featuring a Hot Spring for the public to experience. And yes...the springs are hot! They also bubble up and have steam rising all over the park areas where there are vents. Pretty cool!!!

Hot Springs is known for its minerals, but also its bath houses. People used to come and enjoy getting bathe in the hot springs and having spa treatments with the mineral water. The mineral water were believed to have healing power and help with relieving arthritis pain and other ailments. The bath houses are featured on a street called, you guessed it...Bath Rowe. There is currently only one bath house that still operate today, but the others are well preserved to give you an inside look as too what people would enjoyed back then.

The next day, we were headed to another destination when we discovered a dam on the side of the road, so of course we had to investigate. It was a bit tricky finding the entrance to this dam, but what a gem! Viola...welcome to Carpenter's Dam on Lake Catherine!

So...after we saw the dam, we continued on our journey to the place I most wanted to see in Hot Springs. The spectacular Garvan Woodland Gardens! Be ready to have your mind blown! Pictures don't do this place justice...you have to see it in person! It is a wonderland of beauty, serenity and wonder. There are hundreds of volunteers and workers, who maintain this beautiful garden. I can't imagine the cost of upkeep and the hours spent to preserve this magical garden. But if the garden isn't enough...just wait there's more to come below!

There is so much to see at Garvan Woodland Gardens. Inside the garden is another place I wanted to see, Anthony Chapel...well not exactly, but read on. This chapel is like nothing else I have ever seen. It is made of glass and wood an it is nestled in the garden, hidden like the gem it is. It cost over 5 million dollars to build and construct. Actually, there are two of these chapels in Arkansas: The one at Garvan in Hot Springs and another one in Eureka Springs, called Thorncrown Chapel. I found out about Thorncrown Chapel while watching an episode of "19 Kids & Counting". In this episode, Jessa Duggar was proposed to by her now husband, Ben Sewald. He surprised her with a beautiful, memorable proposal and they got engaged inside the Thorncrown Chapel. I was mesmerized by the chapel's beauty...It was so memorable to me, that it's the main reason I wanted to visit Arkansas.

When we arrived in Arkansas, I later discovered that Eureka Springs was over 5 hours away and was actually closer to Branson, MO. So going there was not an option on this trip. I was disappointed to say the least! After all, it was main reason I was visiting Arkansas! Low and behold when we arrive at Garvan, I found the exact same chapel there. I didn't know there were two! So although I didn't get to see the original one, we were treated to this garden and the other chapel as well. But wait there's more...on our walk through the garden, we discovered this huge architectural structure that was a bonus...I don't remember the name of the structure, but it was really cool!

Wait...you thought we were done with Garvan Woodland Garden...well were not, Lol... We also saw a fairy garden, a running train exhibit and we met a colorful friend. The fairly garden was a special treat for the young and old adult kids at heart. Who doesn't love & believe in fairies and want to be sprinkled with fairy dust? The train was a treat and very unexpected! Meeting our little colorful friend, the peacock was icing on our very delicious cake! All in all the day was very long, but we didn't mind! Seeing this place was more than I bargained for and a welcomed surprise! I would love to come back and see this place in the spring, with all its colorful, blooming glory! Now that is a sight worth seeing again, and again!

The last place that we visited in Hot Springs, was a place of fun and relaxation! Nothing like a competitive game of mini golf at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf. We had a blast! It is a beautiful golf place with my favorite, you guessed it...waterfalls. There were even hidden waterfalls, a pirate ship and pirates. Since I lost the game (actually I got creamed), I had to walk the plank and my husband, Vel reigned supreme! But what's better than his awesome "whole in one"?...Me getting two...that's right...this girl right here, got two (2) whole in one's! What a fabulous time we had! This trip was so enjoyable...even with the pouring rain the first 3 days. Until our next adventure! Follow us and see where we are going next!!!