It’s Been a While!

Tweet

Way back in 1967, my family and I went to Hot Springs National Park on vacation. I went back today for some scenery and history. Gee, it’s been a while, hasn’t it!! Unlike the geysers in Yellowstone (which are small channels of hot water violently forced upward), the hot water in Hot Springs is caused by large channels that allow a quick return to the surface from a depth of about 7,000 feet. In the short span of time it travels from the deep to the surface, it doesn’t have time to cool off. As with Warm Springs, Georgia (which is where President Franklin Roosevelt sought treatment for his polio and eventually made himself a “little White House” there), the therapeutic qualities (real and imagined) became a popular tourist spot. And, where there’s money, there’s crime: mobsters frequently hid out in Hot Springs to keep them “healthy” and out of jail. Bugs Moran, Al Capone, and Lucky Luciano were some of the biggest names in organized crime AND in visitors to the town. (The illegal booze and gambling that ran rampant in Hot Springs didn’t hurt, either.) The town and the park both have a fascinating history. One of the things you’ll see on display at the museum in the observation tower is a copy of the Tony Bennett album featuring the song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” He rehearsed and first performed that classic song in Hot Springs (see top left photo in collage). Additionally, Hot Springs was the home of one William Jefferson Clinton (see bottom left photo in collage). There’s a display of newspaper clippings about the future president as an FFA member and high school honors student, showing his years in Hot Springs. Oh, and did I mention the view???? (Right photo) Even though it’s winter and the landscape isn’t bright green, it’s still beautiful. Yes, I had a great time at Hot Springs National Park today. Hopefully it won’t be so long until I go back again!! PHOTO COLLAGE: (Top left) “Myth vs. reality” segment about Tony Bennett first singing “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in public. (Bottom left) Future president Bill Clinton (2nd row right photo in the clipping) in the paper about his high school graduation. (Right) the view from the observation tower.