May 20-28

Hot Springs, AR

During our second week in Hot Springs we relaxed, took walks and did a few activities including taking a ride up the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. 

 For the bargain price of $5 (with our National Parks Senior Pass) we took the elevator up 216 feet to the observation deck where we were treated to spectacular views of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs Mountain and Diamond Lake. 

View of the parking lot 

One day we drove over to the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail to ride our bikes. 

 

The trail is made up of four linked asphalt trails. 

 

 

We made several trips into town to fill up water bottles at one of the water stations. 

Monte took a refreshing dip in the creek running alongside the campground.  

We shared a purple ice cream sundae at the Purple Cow. 

 

 

I thought sharing one sundae was enough for me but I don’t thing Monte shared that sentiment.

 

 

 

One night we spent a few hours at the Oaklawn Casino.  We each were given $10 in free play at the slots when we signed up for a player’s card.  Monte stopped when he was up $15 but I ended up losing $20. 

 

 I was up and down several times over the course of 4 hours so a loss of just $20 was acceptable.

Another night we attended a comedy/magician show starring Maxwell Blade at the Malco Theatre.

 

The theatre went through an extensive renovation beginning in 2016, restoring it to its former glory days. 

The seats were very comfortable with plenty of leg room. 

At one point, when a few young children were invited up to the stage, we were treated to a seriously funny routine.  While we enjoyed the show, it would have been a much better experience if the sound system worked better.  At times I couldn’t make out what Maxwell was saying.

Maxwell Blade and assistant

On our last day in Hot Springs we took a Duck Tour.  The DUKW is a six-wheel-drive amphibious modification of the 2 ½ ton trucks used by the military during WWII and the Korean War.

The DUKW (colloquially known as Duck) was used for the transportation of goods and troops over land and water.

Beginning in 1946, surplus Ducks were sold to companies to use for touring.

Our “Captain” was very amusing and appeared to really enjoy his job.

The total tour took approximately 1hour and 20 minutes beginning on Central Avenue in downtown Hot Springs and continuing onto Lake Hamilton.

 

Just as we were approaching the launch to exit the lake we drifted too close to several boats in dry dock.  The Captain could not steer away fast enough so we clipped the casing on a motor of one of the boats.  Yikes.

Back on land, the Captain pulled into a parking lot to call his boss to report the accident.  Monte had placed his Yeti bottle on the empty seat across from us.  As we entered the parking lot, the bottle rolled over and out of the duck.  Luckily we were in a parking lot and not on the highway so the Captain was able to pull over and retrieve the bottle.

We thoroughly enjoyed our two week stay at Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs but are eager to move on and see where the road takes us.

May 19

Montgomery County Front Porch

Mount Ida, Arkansas

I had read an article about The Front Porch in the Hot Springs Magazine so we decided to check it out.  Currently there are only concerts scheduled for the 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month. 

The Front Porch is an outdoor family friendly live music venue that hosts free performances of bluegrass, gospel and country.   

The artists aren’t paid and concertgoers aren’t charged to attend.  During intermission a container is passed around for donations.

The possum plays a central role for the Front Porch.  According an article I read, “Well, we have a lot of possums around here.  When this all got started there was a bunch that jammed here and one of them decided to play a joke on his wife and enlisted some of the other jammers to help.  He was influenced by the Beverly Hillbillies TV show and had a sash made up with ‘Possum Queen’ on it, a tiara crown and a fox stole.  All of this was delivered one afternoon at a jam session he was hosting at his home.” 

 

Possums Unlimited was invented as the fundraising group for the operation.  The non-profit currently raises money by selling souvenirs. 

 

Prior to the concert we had a bite to eat at the Mt. Ida Café. 

 

 

We both opted for the bacon cheeseburger special.  It was an excellent choice.

The Front Porch is located on the grounds of the Montgomery County Court House. 

Monte introduced himself to the sound engineer, Jerry, and then assisted setting up the equipment on the stage. 

The performer, Dewayne Hodges, is a native son of Montgomery County.  Despite being blind since 1976, Dewayne continues to perform all over the country. 

The weather was perfect and the music very entertaining.

 

Monte and Dewayne Hodges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 18

Garvan Woodland Gardens

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Garvan Woodland Gardens, owned by the University of Arkansas, is a 210-acre botanical garden located a few miles from Hot Springs National Park. 

We spent a few hours slowly walking through the different sections of the gardens.

 

Bonsai Garden

Sunrise Bridge 

 

Koi Pond

 

We ate our picnic lunch at the Perry Wildflower Overlook with a sweeping view of Lake Hamilton.

 

 

 

 

When we stopped to rest at a picnic table near the Chipmunk Café we were visited by a peacock that appeared to be posing just for us. 

 

The main reason I had chosen to tour the Garvan Woodland Gardens was to visit the Anthony Chapel.  I had seen a picture of the chapel a few months ago when I began researching things to do around Hot Springs. 

 I could envision myself sitting in the chapel.

I was not disappointed when I was able to actually sit down in a pew and just take a few minutes to enjoy having the chapel totally to myself.

The Anthony Chapel features soaring columns and fan vaulting of southern pine.  A complex truss system mimics the branches of surrounding trees as it allows the use of light, structural members, making the 60-foot high roof seem to be part of the trees.  The 55-foot tall glass windows and oversize skylights offer virtually uninterrupted views of the surrounding woodlands. 

The Chapel is a popular venue for weddings.  Just a short walk down the trail is the Bride’s Hall, Grooms Quarters and the Anthony Family Carillon.