WELCOME 2014!!!

We actually brought in the New Year on a quiet note. We spent Sunday night in West Memphis Arkansas and headed out on Monday to Texarkana (actually Ashdown) Arkansas. We decided to spend three nights here to get through the New Year holiday and not have to worry about places being open to check in to. Camping is not quite like hoteling it because it's not in season and not as popular. So we are in a quiet park (Millwood Landing) with about 5 other couples. Like I said it's very quiet. There is a 250 acre golf course here and there was a large party here last night. Yesterday we went in to the local WalMart to get a few things and found stuff for the kids as well. That meant coming back to camp and wrapping stuff then back to town to the post office. Hope they like what I sent :). Other than that we've been walking, knitting and watching a little tv. Yesterday it was real sunny and we actually sat out and read for a couple of hours (okay, so I took a nap in the sunshine). Should be the same today, yea!! High 50's.

Before we pulled out of West Memphis we went into Hot Springs to check it out. The Hot Springs were popular as people believed that the traces of minerals and an average temp of 143 degrees gives the water whatever therapeutic properties they may have. The first bathhouse was built in the early 1900's and people flocked to them as they were called "The American Spa". Touring Fordyce Bathhouse was very interesting seeing all of the opulance that only the wealthier people could afford at that time. There were the soaking baths, cooling rooms, exercise rooms and massage rooms. The exercise equipment was made mostly of wood with pullies and belts. We did buy a couple of empty gallons to fill with the hot springs water before leaving town. I didn't see a big difference between our r/o water and the hot springs water, but then I'm not an expert on waters.

I talked with my brother, Bud when we got here and made a plan to drive to his place on Thursday. The gps says it's a 5 hour drive which calculates to be about 7 hours in rv travel time. While there we'll try to catch up with Dave and Ann as well, if they're feeling better. I heard they were coming down with colds, so we'll see. My cousin, Joan, called this morning to wish us a Happy New Year. It was good to hear from her, but the connection was schetchy at best and the call was cut short. So there you have it. Happy New Year to all our family and friends. Hoping 2014 is filled with health, prosperity and happiness!