Quick Update from Hot Springs, AR!

Hi everyone!

We're now enjoying the 130 degree water of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The city is surrounded by a National Park to the north. The park is comprised of the natural springs on the west side of Hot Springs Mountain as well as Bathhouse Row. The bathhouses are large Victorian style buildings that are what's left of the era when travelers came from all over to bathe in the hot water that bubbles up from the earth. The bathhouses piped the hot spring waters into tubs where many have and continue to enjoy the pure water.

The water is not hot from any volcanic activity, rather it is heated by traveling very deep within the earth's crust. The water eventually meets faults and joints in the earth's crust that lead it back up to the lower west slope of Hot Springs Mountain, where it surfaces. Here's an interesting fact: the waters issuing from these springs are more than 4,000 years old!

Before Hot Springs, we saw Branson, Missouri; which actually turned out to be pretty neat. We caught a show, called "The Number One Hits of the Sixties." It was lots of fun and we got to camp only a few miles outside of the tiny city. For all the theaters and attractions they have, it's hard to believe only 5000 people actually live in the city.

We're not sure where we're off to next. Could be Texas, could be Oklahoma, or could be Louisiana! But look for more updates later on in the week!

Jonathan & Christina