Aloha Everyone,
Located in Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park is the smallest national park and our 31st to visit.
Established before Yellowstone was designated as the first national park by an act of congress, Hot Spring s was set aside by the federal government to preserve its use as an area for recreation. According to the national park information, there are 47 hot springs flowing from the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain. The average water temperature is 143 F.
Before the concept of spa became popular, Native American tribes believed hot spring water to be curative and medicinal.
Arkansas, the 25th state is known as The Natural State. Following the recommendation of Donna at the visitor center, we took Route 7, one of the 7 national scenic by-ways. Even on a rainy day, the beauty of Ouachita National Forest, the oldest national forest in the South, was impressive. By the way, Arkansas is a French interpretation of a Sioux word acansa, translates to downstream place.
Finally, a person from Arkansas is called an Arkansan. President Bill Clinton, his immediate family, General Douglas MacArthur, singers Glen Campbell and Johnny Cash are Arkansans.
We are staying in the Gulpha Gorge Campground located within the Hot Springs National Park. This is a peaceful place. There is a small stream running behind Honu and the canopy of trees with singing birds are beautiful as well as restful.
Aloha -- Cathi
