What shall we do today?

Having changed plans so many times in the past week, we don't have them any more.  So we decided to go to Hot Springs, where there is a national park.  Figured we'd spend one or maybe two nights.  One hour later we were there and it's an interesting small city, about the size of Puyallup.  Hot Springs National Park is on one side of the main downtown street and the City of Hot Springs is on the other side.  There are also wooded areas and a few hiking trails.

The national park is primarily historic bath houses.  It was first federally protected in 1832 when Congress set it aside as a federal reservation.  We toured the most elaborate of the bath houses, which is also the national park visitor center.  It was fascinating to see how they used the hot springs baths for medicinal purposes and then provided a gym and physical therapy regimes to help people regain their health.  Not unlike going to the Y or a fancy spa today.

Of course we had to have a fun lunch, and this was one of the best of the trip:  BubbaLu's Bodacious Burgers & Dogs.  We sat at the counter and watched Lu cook, serve, take orders, clean up, and everything else that was needed.  She was a dynamo. Unfortunately we didn't get to meet Bubba.

The other popular feature of the park is the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, where we climbed 306 steps to rewarding views of the green rolling mountains surrounding Hot Springs.

There are also five large lakes in the region so we drove to see one and ended up in the more current/modern  area of Hot Springs that reminded us of South Hill.  It was in stark contrast to historic Hot Springs and not all that inviting.  It was also where we would probably get a room and that was definitely not inviting so we headed off to Fort Smith, AR.  The drive was scenic and relaxing and we're in Van Buren, a suburb of Fort Smith.

Small world story:  we had dinner at Frank's Italian Restaurant, #1 of 5 restaurants listed on Trip Advisor for Van Buren.  There are many more, of  course, mostly fast food and chains.  While we were waiting to be seated, a couple about our age got into line and asked if we had any advice on what to eat.  "Just traveling through," I said.  Then noticed he was wearing Keen sandals and asked him where he was from.  "Seattle"  "Really, we're from Puyallup,"  "So are we!"  They live in Sunrise Terrace.

By the way, Frank's was definitely deserving of the #1 ranking.  It was amazing.  How odd to have such an incredible dinner at an Italian restaurant in a suburb in Arkansas.  For $20.  No biscuits.