Hot Springs and a Cool Ride
Trip Start
Mar 31, 2012
1
5
10
Trip End
Apr 07, 2012
Where I stayed
Dee Dee, the leetle seester
Frisco, Texas
Monday, April 2, 2012
Look at me, half crazy now
Talkin' to chairs, strange and I know it
Look at me I'm doin' in now - Jimmy Buffett
Howdy,
Okay, I owe one to my other traveling companion, Gary for the advice on Hot Springs. We had not originally planned to go there but we did and it was well worth the extra hour or two. The historical section of town is very picturesque (I have proof in the photo section)
We arrived a little early and the visitors center was closed. The janitor was nice enough to open the door and bring me the park stamp after I looked at him with my best whipped puppy dog eyes and explained that we had traveled all the way from Florida for the stamp. He even stamped it for me. Had the stamp upside down when he did it but I very much appreciate the effort just the same. He didn't have to do that for me.
We went to the top of the observation tower and took some photos of Hot Springs. They are also included. This is a place that I would like to bring the Mrs back to one day. I encourage all of you to check it out if you ever get the chance.
We left Hot Springs and headed west towards Mena, Arkansas and the start of the Talimena Scenic Highway, one the planned highlights of the trip. It did not disappoint at all, I would compare it to a combination of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive at Estes Park in the Rocky Mountain National Park. The road runs along the ridge of the mountain tops and the views are spectacular. We had the road to ourselves and were able to move along at the pace that we chose. We even had time to stop and take a video for the blog. It's not a Cecil B. DeMill production but it might help show the road off a little better. See for yourself
Finally, one of my goals with planning this trip was marking off the state of Oklahoma. I had been to 45 states in the union with one of the remaining five being Oklahoma (the Great Lakes states being the others) The Talimena Scenic Highway gets its name from the towns on either ends. TALIhia, Oklahoma to MENA, Arkasas. At the midway point I was able to look at Lance and say with great satisfaction "Oklahoma...check"..
It's the little things...
Finally, for you music fans Talihia, Oklahoma is the home of the semi-modern southern rock group, The Kings of Leon. Technically though, Nate (and Pam), I guess that only means something to us.
We will be reporting from you tomorrow from the Texas Hill country. I have to sign off now because I'm at my sister's house and she's cooking dinner for us. I need to pay attention so nobody drops one of these biscuits on my foot.
Comments
Toldjaso!
I sent you an E mail with a short Texas Hill Country route. Ride safe.
Hope you missed the weather. Be safe
These photos are beautiful! I bet they sure make you miss insurance!
Terfas
We watched the hailstorm from my sisters living room while we were inside missing insurance...
If you keep bringing severe weather to your sisters neighborhoods, she's not going to invite you to visit anymore.
I don't blame her. It was crazy today
LOL Gary... if it gets any closer, you might be right!! :)
You missed the race track in hot springs(horses) Great Fun!