Travels with Whitley: Cool Spots in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Numerous sources to collect spring water for home use

Head Quarters of Hot Springs National Park

Walking from Embassy Suites to Bathhouse Row by the former Hot Springs rehabilitation center

Ready for a soaking in Hot Springs, AR

Hot water fountain of Hot Springs, Arkansas

Kissing the Barney Stone

Second Time to Hot Springs, Arkansas for the Dogs

Well this is the matriarch's 3 trip to Hot Springs. She first stopped here in March of 2000 for Spring Break soil journey with SFASU. She stayed at the Super 8 Motel and ate at a restaurant across the street where all the waitresses were dressed in white like nurses. Apparently it was an old (Tuberculosis) sanatorium themed restaurant, with home style cooking (now closed). Unfortunate for her no hot spring stops that time.

For her third time and our second time we stayed in a corner suite at the Embassy Suites (with a dog package). Super nice and stairs next door to the room for simple exit for potty breaks. Our breakfast was delicious as always but the family's breakfast was not a great as they expected for Embassy Suites breakfasts. But they let the big dogs stay so the hotel was wonderful and just 3-4 blocks to where all the hot spring spas were. Much nicer hotel than the motel that we stayed next to the park where we pulled the matriarch up to the top of the mountain on a dirt trail.

No dog allowed at the spa. Motorcyclist were everywhere and Bud does not like motorcyclist next to our vehicle, too close for comfort. Beautiful trails up to the park and look out point. This is our second time there and so magnificent view.

We saw tons of people with empty jugs to collect water to take back home. I guess that they have a lot of thirsty dogs back at their home... Family said that people believe that the water is healthier for you. It tasted the same to me and felt no different than from other water supplies.

Once home to the Army-Navy Hospital in 1887 across from our hotel until moved in 1944, former Eastman Hotel (built as hotel in 1890-1944), (former Hot Springs Rehab Center in 1960, photo down below) when it was widely held that the water had therapeutic benefits.

Bathhouse on Central Avenue in Hot Springs

No more climbing. We can see fine from here. From our first trip to Hot Springs in 2006 after working a job in Clinton, AR.

North of town at Lake Catherine we tried to find a cabin at the state park (west of Hot Springs Village with no hotels) but found five abandoned baby puppies just before the entrance to the park.

Now the rule of no dog rescues in our car with us was still being followed.

We went to the pay phone to contact the park ranger about the abandoned puppies. Left a message, and went back to give them some food and water as the sun set. Luckily the police and another 2 cars tried to catch the puppies. One went right to the ranger but the other four were terrified and hid in the bushes. They used my food and me, Whitley, to coach them out, but to know avail. One more puppy was grabbed but bit the man's hand, and they were giving up. The nice police officer contacted a motel for us in Hot Springs that allowed big dogs and booked a room for us. He gave us directions and made it to the park by 9ish with the motel clerk waiting for us. Thank you Hot Springs police officer for helping us!