1) I take too many pictures.
2) I like to tell all about the places I visit rather than just giving a quick summary.
3) I like to document things really well so I'll remember all the details later.
Hot Springs was a very prominent town for the gangsters and stars of that time, and the bath houses were one of the popular spots where they spent their leisure. Located directly behind the bath houses (I think there were nine or ten in all) is a nice spot of land known as The Grand Promenade full of park benches and trails that lead up the slopes of the Hot Springs Mountains. The patrons were encouraged to exercise outdoors during their spa experience.
As a kid, I always loved visiting The Grand Promenade because I got to touch the natural hot springs that flow out of the mountains. The springs are scattered all around, and it's hard to capture them in photos. I did my best in the bottom right photo above, and yes, the water is HOT!
Although there are quite a few bath houses, there's only a couple that are open to the public now. One is a bath house turned art exhibit that was featuring some of Ansel Adams works when we stopped by. Even though I love Ansel Adams, I was on a bath house mission that particular day and opted to pass up the artists' exhibit.
One of the bath houses is restored to it's original 1920's look and is in working order for indoor swimming and massages. When we walked in to check it out, it was indeed tempting to take a swim (especially in that heat), but we stayed true to our original mission and went to visit my favorite of the bath houses instead, Fordyce Baths.
There were so many different rooms to photograph (all protected by a layer of glass and a big red line that warned of an alarm) and unfortunately I didn't get to document them all, but I think I got enough to give you an idea though. Keep in mind, there was a men's side and a women's side.
The last photo was taken on the bottom floor of the building. The pipe on the left was part of the old elevator (the really cool ones that had doors on both sides!), and the photo on the left shows a natural spring that flowed in under the building. The lighting was too poor to actually capture the spring, but it's located just below the bottom edge of the photo.
Other than the bath houses, the town is really great too. Lots of old paintings on the street walls downtown and historic hotels to stay in while your there. It's also got lots of great antique and vintage shops to visit too! As if all that wasn't good enough, the town is also build around some of the states best lakes.
I'm pretty certain I would thrive there, and if I can talk Jake into moving back to his hometown after I graduate I may actually get my chance.
Oh yeah, I got Jake to take outfit pictures for me too! I was really inspired by the Twenty Seven Names collection, and (if you check out the collection) I bet you'll be able to pick out exactly which look I took this from.
P.S. That water is hot too!
Jake wore his patriotic colors in the form of a Netherlands jersey all weekend. I think he's pretty proud that his team has made it to the finals.
Vintage Dress: Thrifted $5
Boots: Thrifted $1.50
Purse: Shop Dixi £40