Our Anniversary Escape this year led us to Hot Springs in Arkansas. The
biggest motivator seemed to be that every other attempt to visit the namesake
placename has ended in some disruption or another. The most recent
attempt north of Yellowstone in Montana found the place had closed for the
season the weekend just prior to our arrival. This turned out very
similar to other attempts too, though not a complete failure.
It is an interesting little town to explore and soak in
a little, quite literally and of course, figuratively. While three days felt like the perfect amount of time to get a good taste of the area, a longer stay would be needed, if one were
to have an interest in conquering things like the 21 km Sunset Trail.
Hiking was not at the top of this agenda this time, though we did afford time for the Gulpha
Gorge Trail, after pausing for a ride up to the top of the Mountain Tower for a
look around the valley. Most of the remainder of the time involved parading up and down Central Avenue, relaxing in a mineral bath and
enjoying some delicious German food.
Local art proved itself an unexpected highlight, featuring an array of massive murals climbing three or four stories high. These pops of fresh paint felt like a modern dialogue against the city's historic backdrop, appearing in almost every corner of the downtown area.
Leaving the city behind, the second half of the adventure turned north into the Flatside Wilderness of the Ouachita National Forest. The detour was mostly unplanned, beyond knowing of a waterfall there that just happened to be along the way. We found the cascade mostly dry, though an interesting space in the middle of nowhere to visit. The trek in and out of the location, crawling up and the rough roads offered their own adventure, proving once again that the journey is just as important as the destination.
Returning to our home away from home in Heber Springs offered time to enjoy friends and family and scoot up to Batesville Motor Speedway for the annual dusting at . It was a bit cooler than last year, and the wind was not quite as tuned into the direction it should have, but not awful. The drone of engines and a good coating of red clay just feels right on a cool spring night.
A day on my own led me to the North Sylamore Creek Trail. Road conditions deterred previous transports from enjoying this piece of scenery. The short route down to the Allison Trailhead is not always in the best of conditions. This time, well-prepared with a high clearance vehicle, the road presented itself in much more appropriate fashion.
With transport parked firmly in place, a secondary obstacle loomed. The creek itself it not much where the trail first meets the bank. However, the Forest Service encourages a trek north from there about 100 yards and cross at a much deeper section. It is undoubtedly one of those little counterintuitive trail quirks. Perhaps during high water, it is a shorter distance but then again, much deeper still.
Once on the trail, the landscape changes as the trail climbs steadily to meander northerly above the river, enabling spectacular views of where water likely spills over the edge of the bluff high above, in several locations; that is, in damper conditions. The stretch defines Ozark geology, with hidden caves and weathered karst littering the length of the journey.
After exploring roughly 4 of the 30 kilometers associated with this trail, it was time to think about heading back since I had no clue how long it was really going to take and there were other plans for the evening hours. Emerging from the wilderness earlier than expected offered time for a quick jaunt over South Sylmore Creek and its swinging bridge.
The road back to Heber Springs from Mountain View takes about as much time as crossing from one side of Kansas City to other. It is undeniably more interesting though, even if the state continues to push to straighten out the roads and remove the deep valley dives.
Conversation and a good meal brought things to a close for the day, so much so that we completely lost track of time. We realized too late that we missed the change to jump over to Sandy Beach to enjoy the sun set on another enjoyable journey into Arkansas. There is always another chance.
The drive homeward did not really stand out all that much. Anticipated afternoon storms, coupled with a return to work looming on the morning horizon the next day encouraged arrival at an earlier than normal time. It had been another good journey, leaving us with good memories, multiple new additions to The Ozarks collection, and a little red clay all around.
Downtown Atlanta proved an interesting place to explore for a few days, while attending FABCON / SQLCON 2026. More compelling than anything else, I had the opportunity to capture a few views for the collection from 9 km or so in the air.
Basecamp held its own unique history, though not much is left of the old place beyond a high-rise with a spectacular view from the outdoor pool on the 19th floor. With a Margaritaville attached, a Waffle House a block away, Centennial Park sprawling across the street, and the Georgia World Conference Center lie just on the other side of that, it proved itself the perfect location.
In my spare time, I wandered about a 2 km radius from the location, taking in the local art and dropping by the state capitol building. The space between has definitely seen better times, though appeared as though it were rebuilding to return to those glory days. It was an interesting town, and very walkable in the daylight, though I am not sure I would return with the sole intent on seeing Atlanta.
