Hot Springs, Arkansas - #44

 Due to lack of or really slowwwww internet - there is a time lag in all my postings.  Although I am writing about our adventures in Hot Springs, as of this morning Friday, 10/22 - we have already crossed the border into Texas.

Hot Springs National Park is the only National Park (I am aware of) that includes part of their actual city. We decided early on -  the trolley tour would be the best use of our time. This gave us more in-depth information on the area, took us up the mountain for a great view, introduced us to "Arkansas Stone"(novaculite) and even included a stop to a cold spring to fill up water bottles they provided us. It was a great choice! Afterwards, we strolled through the city checking out all the shops, down bath house row and visited one of the bath houses opened to the public; it was set up as a recreation of how the bath houses were once used. As I look through my photos, I am reminded of the beautiful architecture - particularly the bath houses  I also made sure I filled up a bottle with "hot" spring water. I wonder if people in this city drink more water per capita with the availability of all this delicious and healthful liquid? (all free all the time!)

 

Our second day in Hot Springs was fulfilling a bucket list item for me.  I have always wanted to go rock mining. I really love rocks (and shells and sea glass....) So, I was so excited to find the Ron Coleman Mining - not too far from where we were staying. We spent several hours there, digging to find quartz crystals.  While we didn't find anything really special, we did acquire some small specimens and I also found some beautiful slate in bright blue and purple. I am hoping to try my hand at making jewelry out of some of the smaller pieces. 

Later in the day, after we returned from the mine, showered and changed - we headed over to Oaklawn Casino. What a fun casino! We both made some money; the machines actually paid! I put mine back but Charlie walked away with an extra $20 in his pocket.

Our home in Hot Springs was the KOA.  It was good, fine - I didn't think anything special. I thought it was interesting some reviewers posted it was the best campground they ever stayed at! I guess everyone has different needs and different opinions.

Our next stop, which is where we are now is Texarkana, Texas. To be continued.....

Beginnings/March, 2017 - #1

Every day is a new beginning.
If you are healthy and feel good, a new day can bring wonderful possibilities!

My name is Eileen. I turned 62 exactly one month ago. I am the younger and more driven half of the Lorings. The other Loring is my husband, Charlie. He is a youthful 69 and for better or worse, is along for the ride on our life adventures.

Charlie and I just "celebrated" our 19th anniversary. We are parents of a relatively "un" blended family. Charlie's three children are substantially older than my two girls; our offspring ranging in age from 49 to 31 and being at different stages of their lives when we first met, probably accounts for a good portion of the lack of mixing in.  Our kids are now all adults, most with kids of their own. As of this writing, I am expecting my first grandchild.

For a very long time I have been dreaming of retirement. I have wanted to make some changes, take some chances, do something off the beaten path but within reason as to not burn through our limited finances. So about 10 years ago, I came up with a plan.

Through Charlie, I acquired a taste for RVing. When we first met, he introduced me to his fully self-contained camper that slid into the back of his pick up truck. It was an adorable tiny living space and I became enamored with the idea of traveling with your home in tow. We used the slide on for a number of years until the squirrels ate through a wall, the roof began to leak and the hand jacks that lifted the camper up to slide into the truck bed had become rusty and too difficult to crank. Did I mention that my husband is not big on preventative maintenance? We eventually found a handy guy with some foresight and a pick up truck and gave the camper to him. As the story goes, handy guy passed the camper on to someone else and it is probably rotting away in a backyard somewhere in New England as I type this blog... (Better his yard than mine)