For the last few days we have been camping at Petit Jean State Park. We have spent our time trail walking to Cedar Falls - both to the base of the falls and to the overlook. We had some rainy weather - time spent reading books and colouring in and playing boardgames, and doing mathematics.We finished off our time in Petit Jean this morning by attending a guided walk to the falls. Benedict made a friend along the way - a rather sweet little four year old girl who took it upon herself to hold his hand and push away anyone who came near her new pal. It was great walking weather, about 25 degrees and slightly cloudy. After the recent rain, there was plenty of water flowing in the little creeks and at the falls themselves.
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| at the trail head with Ranger Rachel |
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| Beauty berries - edible, not terribly tasty |
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| Benedict and his friend - she has no name, typical boy didn't think to ask! |
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| At the falls |
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| Oliver triumphant, having completed the 2 mile walk to the falls |
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| Too cute |
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| View from the restaurant where we had a much deserved lunch. |
We also spent a day travelling to Hot Springs - it was just lovely. I got to experience a bath house just like those who sought after miracle treatments for all types of ailments in the 1920s and 1930s. The buildings were reminiscent of early hospitals - the same tiles on the floor, the old fittings, even echoes of the smells of hospitals past. My 'treatments' included a whirlpool bath, a sitz bath, a needle shower and a vapour cabinet. Whilst I got extremely clean, the kids and Ken went to the Visitor Centre. The National Parks Service took over the distribution of spring water to the bath houses in the 1930s and continues to do so to this day. The kids did their ranger books, wandered along Bath-house Row, and were sworn in as Junior Rangers at Hot Springs.
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| Outside my bath house |
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| Inside one of the bath houses the kids visited |
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| Swearing in |
We are now in Mountain View, Arkansas for the night. We arrived here early afternoon to visit the Ozark Folk Museum. What a great little place. The kids dipped candles and made corn husk dolls. They also spent time with the ranger, going through their work books from Petit Jean State Park (both places are run by Arkansas State Parks). We are heading back into the folk centre tonight for a music concert and dancing! The kids have dusted off their boots they purchased in West Yellowstone and are ready to go!
