Today was a designated tourist day. Stuck around Hot Springs and did what other tourists do. The day started out with a trip to the Buckstaff Bath House. It's the last remaining bathhouse that still uses the original tubs and equipment from the 1920's and it really was like taking a trip back in time. This is, of course, a bathing suit optional kind of experience, so to get fully immersed (pun intended) in the experience, we both opted for the au naturel. Well, it did seem kinda silly to be taking a bath with a bathing suit. I got the full bath experience, and Jody got the same, with an added massage and paraffin hand treatment. It was quite the experience, 30 minutes in a whirlpool tub full of naturally hot water from the underground hot spring, a 10 minute sitz bath (if you don't know what it is, you'll have to Google it as I'm not going to try to explain). Then steam room, hot towel wrap, and finally the "needle" shower. Quite the experience, especially when the bath attendant, a 50 something year old black man, asked if I wanted soap at the end of the bath. I thought he was going to give me some soap, imagine my surprise when he proceeded to wash my arms, legs, and back. Oh well, I wanted the full experience.
     After the bath, we visited the park visitor center and got our national park passports stamped . Bought a t-shirt, and headed back to the hotel. In our hiking around the mountain last night, we noticed some very interesting mountain roads that led up to the tops of both the east and west mountains. It was a great motorcycle ride both up and down the mountains, very steep, with very sharp hairpin turns. We're never one to miss out on an exhilarating ride.
     At the top of the east mountain, there is a 216 foot tall observation tower. Luckily there is an enclosed elevator to the top with 2 observation floors. The lower floor is fully enclosed in glass, and gives great views of the surrounding mountains. Very safe, and not at all scary. The upper observation floor is open to the elements, and I found I could handle it as long as I didn't go too near the railing. Jody doesn't have a fear of heights problem, so pictures from this floor were relegated to her.
     In between rides up and down the mountains, were were also able to get in some hiking. The trails were great, though most were either uphill or downhill and very little flat ground I managed to get in over 18,000 steps and Jody got over 20,0000 . (she has shorter legs) We're a little tired, but it was a great day!
    For dinner, we noticed a local steakhouse, The Porterhouse, was offering a crab stuffed swordfish, and it sounded like the perfect end for the day. It was even better than expected as it was actually an 8oz grilled swordfish, stuffed with a whole crab-cake, and topped with a bisque sauce. Delicious! And, of course, with the coupon we had, we were able to get 10% off, and a complementary brownie and ice cream dessert.
     In the morning we are off to Eureka Springs, by way of Arkansas Scenic Route 7. Looking forward to some great scenery, and maybe a little cave exploration along the way.

19.2 miles today
1219.9 miles total

0.0 gallons today
31.021 gallons total