I've always wanted to visit Hot Springs and I am really pleased that we made it. Over the past couple of days we've enjoyed perfect weather. We checked-out the town, the Springs and the National Park.
We strolled Bathhouse Row imagining what it would have been like to be here in the heydey of the spa. I am sure it was wonderful, especially since the average temperature of the water is 143 degrees Farenheit. It is interesting to note that Hot Springs is not in a volcanic region. Rock out-croppings absorb rainfall in an arc from the northwest to the east. Pores and fractures in the rock conduct the water deep into the earth. As the water percolates downward, increasingly warmer rock heats is at a rate of about 4 degrees every 300 feet (a geothermal gradient). Eventually the water meets faults and joints that lead to the lower west slope of Hot Springs Mountain, where it surfaces.
Several fountains are provided throughout town where visitors may collect the water for their personal use. The park brochure suggests that on average, 700,000 gallons are collected from the springs every day. That's a lot of water! We saw several groups of folks with plastic jug in hand heading for the tap.
After visiting the National Park Service Visitor Center (formerly the Fordyce Bathhouse) we hiked the Hot Springs Mountain Trail to the observation tower. You can see for miles and the center provides a lot of local lore about the area, and it's famous citizens - primarily Bill Clinton. The trails have been in constant use since the 1800s. The forest is filled with Oak, Magnolia, Pine and Hickory and it's just a beautiful place.
We enjoyed McClard's BBQ for lunch, a favorite of President Clinton. By the way, the BBQ is quite good. I especially enjoyed the slaw and the sauce.
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