Hot Springs, Arkansas

After exhausting all the fun in Texarkana, we headed further into Arkansas...to Hot Springs.The fun in Hot Springs included a stop at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls amusement and water park. I don't particularly remember riding a carousel when I was a kid (though I'm sure I did), but for some reason Naomi and Danielle love 'em and enjoy riding over and over (and over and over...).

Naomi had an opportunity to hone her driving skills on the Krazy Kars. We will not be giving Naomi an old Model T for her first car.

We went back in time to explore the history of the hot springs and the bath houses. It was interesting to see what used to qualify as cures for all different diseases.

Arkansas is The Natural State, so we were surrounded by trees the entire week. It made for pleasant hiking...(well, except for this hill, which was fairly steep. and long. There was a bit of complaining, but at least it was enhanced by the lovely atmosphere).

Scenic snacking. We don't go anywhere without water, goldfish and apples.

The trees made for fun exploring.

The evening was capped with a really good magic show by Maxwell Blade. He's a fairly big magician that has now decided to keep his show small and close-up (mainly so that he can raise his kids in a small city as opposed to NY or Vegas, where he used to be). If you look closely, you'll notice that Danielle got in on the act! (She enjoyed it at first, but then a few minutes later, she just started crying!!)

 

She claims she loved the show, but refused to look at Maxwell Blade! (Although, he did work "his magic" and eventually got her to turn around!) Naomi's fascination with magic was rejuvenated and she enjoyed trying to figure out how he did his tricks. She atually got to keep a piece of the show -- the magic rope!

On the return trip home, we stopped in Hot Springs again and had a mini Disney-like expereience at Pirate's Cove.

It was actually just a miniature golf place, but it's very well done! There were 2 courses with elaborate props and scenes and pirate history all along the way. The holes were more fun than just the normal mini golf holes, too.

We managed to complete all 36 holes...and Danielle even got a [lucky] hole-in-one!

Hooray for Hot Springs both times!