Vacation to Hot Springs, AK

Lately, it seems I'm catching up on the blog rather than keeping up with it. Even though it was weeks ago now I ought to capture the fact that Larry and I went on vacation. His work slowed down so much that he could take the time without using vacation (which he hasn't earned much of yet anyway) and I had hours I needed to use.

It was a trick figuring out where to go. We decided on Hot Springs, AK because we found a "resort" for an inexpensive price. It turns out the resort was a 3.5 star trying to masquarade as a 5 star. It was nice enough though.

Hot Springs is about an hour SW of Little Rock (capital city of AK). The area is wooded and there's a big beautiful lake there. Also, as you can imagine, there are hot springs. Check out this fountain. It's steaming and we were there at the end of August! There is a rich history surrounding the hot springs and, as you may know, we love seeing history in person. Believe it or not, there is a National Historic Bath House from the late 1800's/early 1900's. Here are a few photos. I left out the pictures of tubs and showers because there's nothing exciting there but there were a few surprises. First is the exterior of a couple bath houses in Bath House Row. Then, a fountian in the mens steam room. There was an exercise room as well as a music room Who knew?! Back in the early 1900's (before modern medicine as we now know it) there were lots of experimental and alternative therapies going on here. It may be the beginning of chiropracty too (don't quote me on that). All sorts of "machines" and contraptions were used to stretch, twist, and otherwise manipulate people in an atempt to ease their various aches and pains.

The other major item of interest, as least for me, was Gavin Gardens (woodland botanical gardens). I won't bore you with the details but here are a few items of inspiration for me.