Further North

Our journey was to head north to Friend, Ne. Plan, Susan goes to Chicago, me, I stay and work on our new table.

Once we left Branson, our heading was Kansas, well somewhere in kansas. As Susan was in the driver's seat, I started searching for a city park or something similar. What I found was a city park, in the town of Chanute, Ks. Parks name Santa Fe Safari RV Campground.

Where for the price of $0, you can stay 2 nites, and then there after $10/nite.

Santa Fe Safari RV Campground - Clicky

No real need for campground photos: Well maybe a few:

But, our plan 1 nite, and then head north to Melvern Lake. Where we had reservation at a COE. Stay 3 nights. Relax. Well everyone remembers the rain? Well it seems many of the COE are closed, but they do a poor job of informing people. 

We arrived, were told we either back down and in, or drive down and park in. What ??? Why can we just go around the loop?

That is the loop road. See the barricades, well that is next to our site. After looking at it, we decided to decline and inform the gate attendant. He say no problem I will get you a refund. So, off we went in search of a place for the night. 

But not without a few photo ops along the journey:

So, after, searching we found a city park in Westmoreland, Ks. 

Oregon Trails Rv Park - Clicky  

A little more reading, and I / we learned that this city was the first mayor stop for settlers heading west:

Westmoreland  History:

   The Oregon Trail crossed Pottawatomie County and passed just south of Westmoreland which was a rest stop for travelers drawn to the area due to a natural spring which offered a fresh supply of water.  The spring also established to the town site's western limits.  Since this area along the trail was frequently used, ruts from the early wagon trains can still be seen.

   In 1856, John McKimens came to the area and in 1858 established the first post office.  The post office was name in honor of McKimens' native county, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.  The post office was located in his home at Rock creek crossing.

   The first house built in Westmoreland was a log structure erected in 1860 and stood at the southeast end of town.  In the winter of 1862, the first school was established and the building used for the school was a log cabin which stood near the corner of the future State Street and the public highway intersection.  This school served several townships yet there was no clear boundaries for the school district.

Good side, large sites, FHU, 50 amps. Very small town, easy walking in and out. However, they recently had a price increase, what was $10 and $20, now they are  $25 - $35. Pricy for us, but hey 1 nite and then we leave. But this is a wonderful place for a stop. 

We did take time out to walk the town, which took all of 20 minutes, and then stopped in for an ice cream.

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and Me.

Keep an eye on the rear camera.

Continuing our Journey

Our goal when leaving Little Rock? Well Branson, Mo. Branson, is where the 2019 Alfa Roadrunner Spring and the AOC rally will be held. So, a stop over was in order to check out the park, and look into the sites.

We pulled into Turkey Creek Rv park, this is an Escapee Rv owned park. Like many parks old, but acceptable to us. 50 Amp FHU pull through and satellite.

Photos ? Well not really:

Safe Travels & Journeys
DaGirls Rv
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Continuing the Journey North

Once we left Hot Springs, we headed Northeast - to Little Rock, Ar.  One of the things I forgot, was I have kinfolk in the Arkansas area. Always in the back of my mind, I remember dad talking about Little Rock, and Pine Bluff, however the one place I do not remember was Camden, Ar. It seems Camden was where most were located, but we had already passed the city. So, leave tracking down second aunts and uncle for later.

Our Destination - Downtown Riverside Rv park.

Our primary goal - William J. Clinton Presidential Library. This will be the fourth library we will have visited. Our libraries include Reagan, Eisenhower, and Johnson. We always like reading up on history, and events that helped to create a timeline of those years and leading up to the now. More on the history and events later.

Photos of the Library? Well a few maybe:

 Being in Arkansas and right along the Arkansas River, especially this year, the river levels have continued to rise and breach the river banks. Even while we were at the Park, the level rose over 3 feet in 2 days. We heard reservations were being cancelled for the week of May 31st.

One of the interesting places I wanted to located was the beginning point of the Louisiana Purchase. I wonder how many people even remember what that means.

Sometimes we just have to re-read it - Clicky - Wikipedia

Just where is this point of interest?

A State Park - Titled Louisiana Purchase State Park (in Arkansas).
The point of interest is located in what they call a Head Water Swamp, yep - a swamp. It is situated along a boardwalk about 200 yards winding long.

When we arrived , it was down about a 1 mile long straight road. Could you bring the Alfa? Well you could, but you would be disconnecting the tow vehicle and then slowly turning and backing up a little. 

Soon we were in sight of the end, our goal - what - where - there it is in the swamp itself.

Ok, enough of this - I'll get back to Little Rock later and also let you know where we are located. 

Just remember to Enjoy Life 

Safe Journeys and Travels

DaGirls Rv 

Susan , Tilly, Dakota and me 

And Keep an eye on the Rear Camera - Specifically the Tow

Overnite Stop in Hot Springs

Well actually it turned into a 3 night layover.
We were told about this Campground, located in the Hot Spring National Park, called Gulpha Gorge. No reservation, first come, during the season get here early, however many people stay 1 night then it is on the way.

The park is right inside the national park, many hiking trails, trees, Full Hookup sites, many of which can handle a 40 Footer Alfa.

Information on the Campground - Clicky

While staying we added a few more photos to our unique campers folder:

However our goal was the town of Hot Springs. The downtown area and the Bath-Houses:

Hot Springs is a city in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. It’s known for naturally heated springs, many of them in Hot Springs National Park to the north. Bathhouse Row has 8 bathhouses from the 19th and 20th centuries. These include Buckstaff Baths, with thermal baths. The elaborate, stained-glass-and-marble Fordyce Bathhouse has a lobby fountain and houses the park’s visitors center and museum.

You can read more about the unique Bath-Houses here - Clicky  

One of the best places was Superior bathhouse Brewery. Y'all - a BIG PAW FRIENDLY. And I do mean Paw Friendly, where Dakota and Tilly came INSIDE the brewery where they serve food. 

Susan, Dakota, Tilly shares Tortilla chips and a salad, along with root beer for Susan and a 4 flight of beer for me. Server, excellent, food good and beer good enough to bring home 2-32oz Squealers. 

As we continued our sight seeing we visited a few places worth photo ops:

Susan located a dog park along with a small river walk :

Of course what did we spy across the street? Something I can hardly pass-by without stopping:

Ok, that's it - time to get loaded up and head to our next stop.

Safe Journeys from 

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me 

And Remember to Keep an eye on the Rear View Camera