Hot Springs, Arkansas

I had a few days to kill before this weekend so I decided to run down to Hot Springs, AR. I've never been here and I'm excited to explore the area. The drive down was so pretty - it will be breathtaking in a few weeks when the leaves start to change. Wish I had gotten some pictures.

I'm staying in an Airbnb in Hot Springs Village which is the largest gated community in the US. At last count over 15,000 full time residents and probably as many part time. Several golf courses, miles of hiking trails, multiple lakes, and on and one. Very nice area. (link) Here's the view this morning from my private patio. Love the sun shinning through the trees.

Last night I was headed out to explore the area...but I ended having a glass of wine in the neighbors driveway. My host and their neighbors have nightly cocktails in the garage/driveway. Very nice group of people.

I have to be back this weekend for a few things and then Monday I'm flying to New Mexico! I'll be 3 days in Albuquerque (for the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta), then on to Santa Fe and Taos for 3 nights each. A friend of a friend is working to get me on a crew for one of the hot air balloons! Hope that happens!

Today I'm going to dig for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park (link)! I've always wanted to do that! Maybe I'll strike it big! I'm guaranteed to be filthy! Oh well.

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Day 23 last day in South Padre

So sad to say goodbye to the beach. But I'll be back some day. It's less than 15 hours from home...that's totally doable. Here's a link to where we stayed. link This was a perfect place for a late September vacation. Very few of the condos appeared to be occupied. We had the hot tub all to ourselves last night! Today we rented chaise lounge chairs and an umbrella and just enjoyed the beach all day long. We had an amazing dinner at Pier 19 where we were able to see dolphins out the window. Now were getting things ready so we can get up at 4 am and start driving home.

Day 24 - Home - Trip Summary

MILES: 7,780 STATES : 15 Missouri Kansas Colorado Wyoming Montana Idaho Washington Oregon California Nevada Utah Arizona New Mexico Texas Oklahoma TRIP PHASES: 4 To the west coast Pacific Coast Highway National Parks Beach Vacation FLAT TIRES: 1 ECO SYSTEMS: 20 Prairies Foot Hills Mountains Geysers Sulphur Springs Lakes Continental Divide Rain Forests Ocean Beach - Pacific Ocean Redwood Forests Vineyards Almond groves Yosemite El Capitan OK, not an eco system, but unlike anything else! Sequoia Forest Desert Death Valley (see El Capitan note) Canyons...some of them even grand Gulf of Mexico Beach - Gulf of Mexico NATIONAL PARKS/FORESTS: 15 Yellowstone National Park Olympic National Park Hoh Rain Forest Redwood National Forest Yosemite National Park Stanislaus National Forest Sierra National Forest Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Inyo National Forest Death Valley National Park Zion National

Day 18 Grand Canyon and the end of Phase 3

Today we went to Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest National Parks. We are officially done with Phase 3 of our trip - the National Park Phase. And frankly...we're both relieved. The National Parks, while beautiful and awe inspiring...were also kind of a bummer. They were crowded, had limited parking and generally felt like a tourist attraction. Mindy went to several of these when her boys were young...35+ and 20+ years ago. Hearing how the parks have changed over the years was kind of a downer. That being said, I'm so glad I went and was able to this countryside, it is truly unique and majestic. Now that we're done with Phase 3, we both feeling a little energized! We're ready to get up early tomorrow and begin Phase 4...which we've decided to keep secret. If I told you what we're doing, you'd think we're nuts. Better to keep quiet than to confirm that thought! First view of a canyon on the prairie First overlook into Gra

The Adventures of Gypsy-Jackie

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