Trip to Arkansas - Day 2 - Mt. Magazine, Hot Springs

The morning we were leaving Mena Arkansas, I got a terrific massage from our B&B host Tony. He's got a nice room set up with a table, oils, heating pads, the works! When you stay at the Cedar Rock B&B, be sure and plan time to get a massage. Breakfast was terrific, and we lingered over coffee.

We then hit the road and headed toward Mt. Magazine. The ride over was nice with rolling hills, sweeping turns. The best part is the 15 mile ascent up to Mt. Magazine. It's a fairly technical climb to the summit, with few turn outs, but when you reach the top you'll discover a wonderful state park, that boasts the highest peak in the state. Gorgeous views of the Petit Jean valley, many hiking trials, hang gliding points, and a recently rebuilt lodge await you. We had lunch at the lodge's restraunt which put on a July 4th buffet.

We had to cut our visit somewhat short, due to an approaching storm. The descent down the mountain is the same one road, and was just as much fun down as up. We beat out the storm and took highway 10 east to Scenic Route 7 and down to Hot Springs.

Scenic route 7 was an unexpected surprise. Fun riding with enough turns to keep things interesting.

We arrived at Hot Springs, toured bath house row on foot. Hot Springs was admitedly a disappointment. Sure it's the nation's oldest resort, but it looks like it could also take the nomination for the nation's least upkept or renovated resort. The hotels in the bath house district are incredibly old and need of major restoration. Restraunts were lacking and there was no night life or bars to speak of. Possibly we were in the wrong part of town and should have stayed near lake Hamilton. We did however enjoy a drink in the grotto of Rolando's Nuevo Latino Restaurante. Nice environment, with an accoustic guitar player / singer.