A Sunny Hot Springs.

It was our last day in the area and the sun finally came out for a bit.  We had hiked most of the campground so we decided to go back into Hot Springs again and see what it looked like when it wasn't rainy! We headed back up to the Grand Promenade again.

 Isn't it pretty with some sunshine?

The roof of one of the bath-houses as seen from the Grand Promenade.

I felt lucky to be able to get this cardinal in the greenery. (Looks like Christmas!)

A lovely place to sit and people watch.

The view across the street...

Buildings being restored - Lower levels are shops.

Remember the Valley of the Vapors when it was cold and wet?

This is the same area when it is cold and drier...

The stairway from the Grand Promenade to the Valley of the Vapors.

Bench at street level.

After we had walked the Grand Promenade again we decided to head back up to the observation tower - the people were so nice, when they found out we had been there during the cold and rain they allowed us to go back up again and didn't even charge us!  At first we couldn't go to the highest level because there was still ice on the walkway, but before we left we were able to get up there and look at the view.

We headed back to the park to start getting things ready to pack up so we could leave bright and early the next morning to head up north to Petit Jean State Park but we had to stop to get a couple of pictures of sunset.  

The power plant across the lake.

 After I took that shot I turned around and saw this...

 What a beautiful end to our stay at a beautiful campground!

Horseshoe Bend Trail at Lake Catherine State Park

Despite the weather we decided we would try out the Horseshoe Bend Trail... So glad we did!

 Leaves blanketed the pathway.

The view as we hiked uphill

Now there's a color of foliage you don't see everyday!

View of the lake from the top of the trail

Headed back down toward the lake again.

Approaching the suspension bridge near the end of the trail.

After the hike we decided to walk around the park a little to see what we could see.  Check out the cabins!

And the pier...

 The power-plant across the lake at dusk.

Back to the campsite again!

It was a great time despite the weather and clouds...we had so much fun just being out there hiking and taking pictures!

Hot Springs In The Rain!

Rain was NOT what we were hoping for this trip... but it is what it is and we decided we weren't going to let a little rain spoil it for us.  We hopped in the car and drove the short distance to Hot Springs to check it out!  

One of the first things we saw after parking the car was a water fountain - with STEAM!  Now I knew we were in Hot Springs - and I knew they had bath houses, but I didn't realize that there were HOT water fountains!  It was quite the surprise...I put my hand in the fountain and it wasn't just warm - it was HOT!  I just wasn't prepared at all for that - but it was nice on this cold, wet, day to warm up my hands in the fountain.

The fountain and flag

We went to the visitor center and talked to the park ranger there and decided we would like to tour one of the bath houses right there on the main street.  We opted to tour the Fordyce Bath House.

This is the Central Men's Bath Hall. 

The Women's Dressing Room.

Looking down the hall of the Music Room to the Men's Lounge.  LOVED the stained glass ceiling!

A writing desk in the Music Room

From the Music Room to the Women's Lounge

After our tour of the Bath House we decided to walk the Grand Promenade.

Some of the open Springs along the Grand Promenade

Icicles on the leaves of one of the trees on the Promenade

Valley of the Vapors in the COLD!

It began to rain about then so we decided to head back inside - we found an aquarium and decided to take a tour. Some of the "friends" from inside.

Finally, since we weren't sure we would make it back into town before the end of our trip we decided to go up the mountain to the observation deck and check that out.  As you can tell from the photos, we couldn't see much because of the cloud cover - but what we could see was beautiful!

By then it was time to head back to camp - but what a lovely day it turned out to be!

Falls Branch Trail

Our first hike at Lake Catherine State Park would be the Falls Branch Trail. It was cold and overcast but we were up for it and anxious and eager to take some more pictures!

Not too far from the trail-head you come to the first of several bridges.

Some of the small falls along the trail.

Another small bridge to cross.

The third (and longest) bridge.  This is looking back after crossing.

Loved this stone that was on the hill just past the bridge.

Walking along we could hear the falls just ahead!

The falls!

Rocks were set across the stream so you could get to the other side to take photos.

Couldn't resist this shot - It was COLD out there! 

 The trail was lovely - fairly easy hike and the falls were beautiful.  We hiked the longer way around, you can also get to the falls a little easier if you hike the trail backwards!