Hot Springs Gathering

Here are two pictures of the group that attended the Hot Springs gathering. In About Me I said that I am an older version of my avatar. Can you pick me out in either of the pictures? Click on either picture to enlarge.




Bill, Susan, Kurt, Suzanne, Jo, Leon, Ralph and Mark were at the gathering.

Fordyce Bathhouse

Hot Springs National Park

Located above the hot thermal waters the bathhouses along Central Avenue in Hot Springs, AR stood deserted. Owned by the National Park Service they were a reminder of the glory that once came to Hot Springs. Today you can see an example of that time with a self-guided tour of the Fordyce Bathhouse. Renovated by the National Park Service and used as the headquarters for Hot Springs National Park, the Fordyce offers a glimpse of yesteryear. Here are a few photos from the Fordyce Bathhouse. If you visit be sure to take the entire self-guided tour of the Fordyce.



Men's Dressing Room







Hubbard Tub





Stained Glass Ceiling

Garvan Woodland Gardens

Garvan Woodland Gardens is located at 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs National Park, AR. Located on 210 acres on the shores of Lake Hamilton Garvan Gardens is open seven days a week. I visited this April and found a woodland full of water features and blooming plants. Here are a few photos of Gravan Woodland Gardens. Be sure to visit this botanical wonderland when you are in Hot Springs, AR.

Hot Springs National Park

Buckstaff Bathhouse

If you are in Hot Springs be sure to go to the Buckstaff and take the baths. It is like a trip back in time. This is the same bath you could get at the turn of the century. I went yesterday and loved every minute of the experience. No pictures are allowed in the Buckstaff but I do have photos of the Fordyce Bathhouse. The Fordyce is now the headquarters for Hot Springs National Park. I will post photos of the Fordyce when I have a high speed connection.

Hubbard-Brewer Reunion

April 18th, 2008

I’m camped on a small peninsular at Crystal Springs Corp of Engineer’s park on Lake Ouachita. At 6 AM yesterday the lake to the right of my camper looked like a fairyland. There were 54 bass boats arranged on the lake waiting for the start of a fishing tournament. It was still dark and I saw 54 red and white position lights bobbing on the water. As their numbers were called they roared out on the lake and in minutes there were no more lights. It was a really pretty way to start the day.

I drove to Arkadelphia on scenic Arkansas 7 and got to Gum Springs as everyone else arrived home of Renella Clemons for the reunion. The house is on land Dora and George Brewer purchased in 1917. Dora Hubbard Brewer built and lived in the current house after George Brewer’s death. The house and the land around it were divided between the Brewer children and some of it is still in the Brewer family. The fact that their Mother lived in the house is the only thing that ties it to the Hubbard children.

There were quite a few Hubbard’s were at the reunion. Lloyd Hubbard came for the west coast. Jon Hubbard drove down from Jonesboro. Jon has a book out, Confessions of a Frustrated Conservative. Look for it on Amazon. Put in his full name, Jon Michael Hubbard or the title of the book. I hope more Hubbard’s show up next year. Remember that the reunion is the Saturday after Easter every year.

We all brought food for the potluck. As usual, the food was great. The fried okra won the best dish contest. The prize was a history of Dora’s side of the family. Pam Bell said she would send me a copy of that history and the Hubbard history.

I did take a few pictures and will post when I have a faster link. I am using an AT&T data card and it is really slow here at Crystal Springs. I did upload one photo. It is not very clear. The man in the swing is Lloyd Hubbard from the west coast.

Highway 7, An Arkansas Scenic Highway

Arkansas Highway Seven is a designated a scenic highway from Harrison in North Central Arkansas to Arkadelphia in Southwest Arkansas. I had never driven the part from Russellville to Hot Springs so I decided to take that route today. Most of the route goes through the Ouachita National Forest. It is a lovely winding drive. It is a great time of year as the trees are just budding out and the dogwoods are in full bloom. You won’t go very fast but it gives you plenty of time to see the scenery. One thing to watch out for, the bridges were built many years ago and all are very narrow. In an RV only one vehicle could be on a bridge at a time. If you wanted to stop there were several picnic areas and campground along the route. There was also a pull of for Hollis CCC Camp Historic Site. I stopped, walked the guided trail that goes around the site, and took a few photographs. Only foundations are left but there are signs that tell the story of each building. I got to Crystal Spring Campground on Lake Ouachita just before it started to rain. Tomorrow I will drive to Arkadelphia for the Hubbard-Brewer Family Reunion.

On the Road

I am leaving today for a trip to Hot Springs, Mountain View, and the Buffalo River. Look for my posts while I am on the road.

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Northwest Arkansas

On this trip I traveled 20 miles south to The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (www.bgozarks.org/) in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Join me for a visual tour to see some of the 36,000 spring bulbs that were in bloom. There are 9 individual gardens arranged around the Great Lawn. Look for the photos highlighting the Children's Garden.

Wildflowers at Lake Powell

There was a small amount of moisture coming out of the rock wall. You can see the plants that have found a home in the wall.




I am always amazed at the number of wildflowers growing in areas that appear to be barren. These photos were taken on a hike near the campground at Lake Powell.

More Things to See In Bentonville, AR

Northwest Arkansas




When you visit Bentonville here are some other places to visit in addition to The Museum of Native American Artifacts.


Bentonville is also the home of Wal-Mart. Located on the square in Bentonville on the site of Sam Walton’s 5 & 10 Store is a free museum. It has displays outlining the history of Wal-Mart in photos and print. Sam Walton’s office is recreated in detail; his pick-up truck is on display and the office he used in the 5 & 10 Store is also recreated The Station Café next door is a good place to get a sandwich and have a piece of pie.


Around the corner on Central you will find a small preview of Crystal Bridges, an art museum being funded by Alice Walton. The actual museum is under construction. The displays change frequently so you never know what you will see when you visit. This is also a free display. You can find more information at http://www.crystalbridges.org/.


Close by Compton Gardens located on 6.5 acres is another free offering. Native Ozark woodland plants are scattered throughout and can be seen from walkways that cross the garden. You can find more information at http://www.comptongardens.org/.


If you like historic houses visit the Peel Mansion and Heritage Gardens on Walton Boulevard. (You can’t get away from the Walton’s in Bentonville.) Peel House is a turn of the century house with gardens that reflect the time period. There is a charge for touring the house. You can find more information at http://www.peelmansion.org/.

If you are in town on the first Friday from March through November come down to the square for fun, music, food and art anytime between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. On Saturday morning from April 25th through October 31st you can find the Farmer’s Market on Central just one block off the square. On weekends from May until September there is Music on the Square starting at 6:00 p.m. For more information go to http://www.downtownbentonville.org/Events/


Enjoy your visit to Bentonville. There is something to do if you are visiting for one day or spreading your visit over several days.

Lake Powell

These pictures were taken during a boat trip on Lake Powell in 2003. The lake was low at the time.

New England Lighthouses

I have visited lighthouses on both coasts and along the Great Lakes. The lighthouses on this page are all in New England. See if you know where along the New England coast these lighthouses are located.

The Lipizzaner Stallions

Dancing with Horses

I traveled 20 miles south to Fayetteville, AR and finally got to see the Lipizzaner Stallions. Go see them perform if you every have the chance. They live up to their billing. They allow photos and I took a few to share.

Grand Canyon National Park

We were at the Grand Canyon in early May. I found it very difficult to take photos I really liked. I did find small wild flowers; a contrast to the canyon.