More from Branson & on to Hot Springs Natl Park in Arkansas

Sep 30 Sun ... We took a drive today up the scenic mountain road where the view of the Hot Springs valley was nothing short of spectacular. Later, we take a hike one of the many trails in the park.
Sep 29 Sat ... As most people know, the town is named Hot Springs because of the natural hot thermal springs in the area. An average of 700,000 gallons of water is collected each day at an average temperature of 143 degrees Fahrenheit. The heyday of spa bathing in the several bath houses was from 1880 to 1950 when over a million visitors a year immersed themselves in the park’s hot waters. By 1985 only one bath house remained open. The Fordyce bathhouse is now the National Park visitors’ center and museum. We took a self-guided tour and watched a video of what it was like back then. It’s interesting that all the equipment of the time was still there to view (a full spa experience). Of course we had to fill a couple of gallon jugs with ‘the water’. There are water jug fountains in a few locations for just that purpose.
Sep 28 Fri ... We got on the road early this morning for our drive to Hot Springs. All went well and we stopped in Conway, AR for lunch. The rv park is in the National Park system yet has no hook-ups. Our site is near the Gulpha Gorge Creek and we can hear the sound of the rushing water over a small water fall. Unfortunately, we’re unable to receive our satellite signal due to the fact there’re too many trees in the area. I guess we’ll have to do a lot of reading while in this park.
Sep 27 Thu ... Went to the gym this morning and use the high speed internet in the activities center. We were to move to another park tomorrow in Branson but we decided to move on down the road. We plan to drive about 225 miles to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.
Sep 26 Wed ... Dixie’s Mom and Dad left this morning for their long trek back to Great Falls, MT, a drive of about 1,150 miles. We later went to one of the outlet malls and then to Walmart. Sep 25 Tue ... Another day of a Branson show. Today it’s the Tony Roi Elvis Experience. This will be our last and only show for today. The show today was awesome for sure. Tony Roi and his Elvis Experience show is one of the best we’ve ever seen, anywhere. He has a striking resemblance to Elvis and his voice is also very much Elvis. His show was voted Branson’s best show of the year for 2006; Branson’s best singer of the year for 2006 and best performer of the year in 2006. This is a “don’t miss” show if/when you travel to Branson, MO.
Sep 24 Mon ... Today is our “big day” here in Branson because we have tickets to two great shows. In the afternoon we went to the Pierce Arrow show. It was an excellent show that consisted of country, gospel and patriotic singing and dancing. The comedian was great as well. All in all it was a very good show. In the evening we went to the Mickey Gilley theatre and show that was excellent as well. He sang several of his many number one hits and his comedian, Joey Riley, was the funniest yet. We laughed like we haven’t laughed in a long time.