Trip to Hot Springs

We took our first vacation together (as just our family) to Hot Springs, Arkansas in early November. With the leaves changing color and the mild weather, we thought it was the perfect time. So we took off on Saturday morning for the 4-5 hour ride. By the time we got to the hotel in Hot Springs, Connor had soiled his car seat, so we had to deal with that stink until we had a chance to clean it. So we gave Connor a bath as soon as we settled into the hotel room. Then we prepared to go out trick or treating. Even though it was the day after Halloween, the town shopping area had trick or treaters go from shop to shop to collect candy. Connor grabbed candy from several merchants that commented on his cuteness. We finally had a chance to eat dinner at this Latin American restaurant that night.
For those not familiar with Hot Springs, the town was once (back in the early to mid 1900s) a popular destination for people wanting to bathe in the natural thermal baths. Doctors even prescribed the baths for their patients suffering from emphysema, arthritis, and several other ailments and illnesses. Bathing in the town became so popular that many bathhouses sprang up on this street called Bathhouse Row, which consisted of 10-20 bathhouses in addition to other hotels nearby which also hosted thermal bath spas. So on Sunday morning, I decided to enjoy a true thermal bath. After that, it was Renee's turn. When she was done, we went shopping for souvenirs and took a stroll on The Promenade. The Promenade is a half-mile brick-lined walking path where the people socialized between taking baths and was the place to "see and be seen" back in the bath's heyday. The modern-day equivalent of this promenade is the main street where all the Harley Davidson riders cruise their hogs constantly. Hearing them rev their loud engines was really annoying because we couldn't enjoy the peacefulness of the springs. I guess the riders were trying to recapture their youth or something. Later in the evening Connor soiled his stroller, so we had to retire the stroller for the weekend until we had a chance to clean it. On our final day in Hot Springs, we bought a souvenir for Connor which had his name, along with his first name's history (being Irish and all). We put the Coat of Arms of his last name as a watermark in the background. Then we went to the observation tower, which is up on a hill, to see for miles around what the area looks like. It was quite scenic and Connor fell asleep in my arms. Eventually we had to say goodbye to the town, which we will miss. We were happy to enjoy our first family vacation together.