We pulled off of I40 and into Little Rock's bustling downtown which is situated on the bank of the Arkansas River. A pavillion hosting a car show caught our attention...
Jared's dad used to have this one (67' chevy Nova):
Right on the waterfront the city has built an amazing, multi-level playground complete with tunnels, ladders and slides. (The pictures do it little justice.)
We walked across this bridge viewing the skyline and the boats that were on the river. It was late by now so we decided to head back to the car, continuing on to Hot Springs.
The entire town of Hot Springs seems to be the National Park. We set up at it's campground, Gulpha Gorge and drove into the downtown area. We had visions of outdoor jacuzzis, but the springs are accessible only through bath houses built nearly a century ago; we are still a little miffed. The Fordyce House serves as the park's visitor's center:
There are "dispensers" about town where people can fill up any make-shift container with the hot spring water. Some consider it to have healing properties, and Jared was saddened when we used the last of his "water of life" to make the following morning's oatmeal.
Several Trails lead from downtown through the park. We hiked about three miles up and back to a mountain overlook with beautiful views of the town and surrounding landscapes.
A bird in a tree!
Once we returned to the campground, it began to rain and it was forecasted to continue for the next few days, so we packed up and drove south for better weather:
Ever slept in a car in a snow storm?!? Once the snow subsided, we drove about Dallas, visiting the JFK memorial and surrounding area.
Then west to Fort Worth and its stockyards:
Another couple hundred miles, another great night's sleep at Wal-Mart's campground, another stockyard...
After Stockyard City, the two must-sees of Oklahoma City were its downtown area, Brick Town, and the memorial dedicated to the victims of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The latter was time very well spent; this solemn monument is impressive in its scale and its ability to touch one's heart.
From here we were off to get our kicks on Rt. 66, heading to the mountains, valleys & vistas of New Mexico and beyond....and after Jared drove 300 yards the wrong way down a one way into oncoming traffic watching everything except the road (as usual) we were on our way. "Go west young man!"
Love Bricktown in OKC. We used to go to the symphony and then eat out at one of the restaurants there - spaghetti warehouse was a favorite. You are having an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing with us.
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