Canceled December 31, 2011
After driving from New Mexico toward our home in North Carolina, Hot Springs National Park was a perfect place to relax, unwind, and rejoice the New Year. The unique blend of a small city, low-lying mountains, and of course the minerals of 143 degrees of water help create this delightful setting. The park collects 700,000 gallons a day for use in the public drinking fountains and bathhouses.
The therapeutic properties of bathing in and drinking the chemicals within the natural water were gratifying. But before we took our bath, we hiked Peak Trail up to the Mountain Tower. We had so much energy and we were so excited, that instead of taking the elevator, we ran up the stairs. This was our 30th American National Park together as a family.