We left Little Rock this morning and drove to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in the rain. When we first got there we drove up a winding mountain road into the Hot Springs National Park. At the top of the drive we found the National Park Tower. At the top of the tower you are more than 600 feet above the city of Hot Springs. We took an elevator to the top and there were clouds all below us. We got a few pictures that show the fall color with the clouds and a few that show the town below. We didn’t get out and walk in the park due to the rain but we headed downtown to check out some of the shops we had seen as we came in. The historic district of Hot Springs is really interesting. They have a lot of good shops (not the dyed tee shirt type) and the shop workers are extremely friendly and helpful. One of the owners told us about the hot springs cascade that is one of the very few still open (at one time there were 43 but they have been covered over to prevent contamination.) He also told us about President Clinton’s boyhood home. We went looking for the cascade. The cascade flows into man-made pools and James had to put his finger in the water to check the temperature. It was very warm but not scalding hot – it cools as it comes down the mountain side. From there we walked toward bath-house row. These are historic bath-houses which are inside the National Park. They all belong to the National Park Service and one is the National Park Service Visitor Center. It has been restored and is open for tours. The building is absolutely beautiful with stained glass ceiling tiles in several areas and beautiful cherry wood changing areas and very detailed tile floors. It was interesting to learn that this bath house was designed for the elite. While other bath-houses charged $.15 for a bath, the cost here was $.55 which restricted the clients to the well-to-do. Also, the men and women did not mix in the bath-house except in the main parlor. This even applied to the elevator. They would pass messages to each other by the elevator operator. We rode that elevator even though I was not at all comfortable due to its age. There were several things that amazed me, including the “needle shower” (a shower with multiple tiny heads) and the “hydro-therapy room” (I don’t know what they did with those hoses.) The one thing that just horrified me was the steam bath. Those things looked like an iron lung and there was no way you could get out without the attendant opening the metal bath. NO WAY! It was really obvious that there were major differences in the women’s facilities and the men’s facilities. The men’s area was much more elaborate and they had a full gym which could not be used by women. We left there and walked through the town. We found a small city park, two really nice fountains and lots of beautiful old buildings including a really elaborate historic hotel (by the way, look at the cars we spotted parked at that hotel!) We ate a late lunch (or early supper) at one of the cafes on main street – EXCELLENT FOOD! We then went to find Bill Clinton’s boyhood home. The people that live there have an official sign out front that it was his home; however, they do not allow tours. We then went to the Hot Springs Visitor Center where we saw the Hot Springs Walk of Fame. We were impressed with some of the names: Dizzy Dean, Johnny Cash, The Browns, several baseball greats, several people instrumental in horse racing, and President Bill Clinton. After that we were tired and cold so we headed to the hotel for the night. We had decided to splurge and stay at Embassy Suites for these two nights. It is nice; however, I am really disappointed to find out that they charge $10 a day for internet access in the room. I told the lady at the front desk that Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and even the Comfort Inn didn’t charge for internet access and that I was really disappointed to learn Embassy Suites was so CHEAP! A word to the wise – be careful in making reservations.