We enjoyed a bike ride around our campground before taking off for our next destination--Hot Springs, Arkansas.

   

We once again marveled at the beauty of the countryside in northeast Texas, but soon approached the state line that divides Texarkana. 


 
 
 

This is Sharon's first time to be in the state of Arkansas. David's last time in Arkansas when he was there when he was 13. So, this was a special state for us. There is a really beautiful visitor's center welcoming travelers. The attendant made some suggestions about things to do and see in the Hot Springs area, so we set off to explore the area between the border and Hot Springs..


 
In a short time we took a side road to historic Washington, Arkansas. This used to be a bustling town in its "hay day". On February 22, 1824, George Washington's birthday, the town was named Washington. We visited the visitors center to find out what were the most interesting points of this town. 

Our first order of business was to have lunch. The historic Williams Tavern serves lunch for a reasonable price. Sharon had the Reuben sandwich, while I had the chicken-fried steak with gravy. Our server, as well as other people who work in this historic park, was dressed in clothes of that period of history. We found out that at different times, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and Sam Houston had come through Washington, AR while traveling to the fight to free Texas from Mexican rule and had spent time in this tavern.

 

After lunch, we drove around the town to see historic buildings (yes, hauling our 35 foot trailer behind us). Three of the most interesting buildings was a church that was built in 1889 after the previous church burned down when the town was almost destroyed totally by fire. The second building was Sanders Home and Farmstead built about 1845. Finally, was the town's post office. The first post office was a wooden structure and built about 1880. This brick post office is obviously a replacement after one of the two fires that nearly wiped out the town's businesses.



Finally, we came across a huge magnolia tree. It is the largest magnolia tree in all of Arkansas. Sharon walked over to take pictures of the tree before we headed on to Hot Springs.

 

We finally headed on to Hot Springs and to our campground right outside of the Springs at Piney, AR. One of the most interesting name for a town was "Arkadelphia". Sharon snapped a picture of their water tower as we drove by on the freeway. Finally, we arrived at our campground, Treasure Isle RV Park and set up our trailer.