Medieval Castle

In northern Arkansas sits an unfinished castle. How do we know? Roadside America told us.

Unfortunately it is now closed, and we did tiptoe past a couple Private Property and No Trespassing signs, but we will risk jail-time for you dear readers!

Near the entrance, what I believe is a scale model of what they hoped to build.

Looks like it could be cool. Hard to get a sense of scale though.

I would love to know more about the history of this. Construction started in 2009 and was expect to go to 2030. But after three years the Ozark Medieval Fortress closed.

Such a cool place. 

A taste of the Ozarks

We left Hot Springs going north on the Scenic 7 byway and enjoyed a deliciously beautiful drive. Even better the temperatures were way down. 80º never felt so good!

Scenic 7 winds through the Ouachita National Forest up into the Ozark National Forest.

On this trip we see a lot of places. There are areas like West Texas that we know we don't need to return to, and then we find regions like this that get added to the bucket list. The part of the country is beautiful and worth coming back for further exploration.

Just a little bit of the road through the Ozarks National Forest.

Guys can too

I hope you read Tessa's account of our afternoon at the Buckstaff Bathhouse in Hot Springs Arkansas. We took in a mineral bath, I had my very first pedicure and had a fabulous time.

The old downtown area of Hot Springs is beautiful and has an interesting history.

One of the historic attractions of Bathhouse Row, the Buckstaff was built in 1912.

My first pedi!

My cosmetologist Shannon was impressed that I was willing to get my toes painted. I thought it made the experience more fun! She took pictures of me and my toes to show her friends that a guy got his toes painted.

Shannon helped me choose the color.

We are all so pretty! Afterwards I ran to drop some stuff at the car and as I came back Jessie laughed and said she could see my toes from across the street.

Getting the toes done was fun, but it was generally what I expected. Perhaps it was more fun than I predicted. But the bath part, I just didn't know what would happen there and I couldn't wait to find out.

I returned to the lobby and the front desk to retrieve my ticket, a small slip of paper that entitled me to a bath. Next I was met by Bobby and he led me into the locker room.

The two-level locker room has the feel of a naval vessel.

I truly stepped back in time when I stepped into this changing area.

I was instructed to take off my clothes and come out with just my soul. I heard the girls talking about wearing their bathing suits, but I was all in for this experience.

My bath attendant Bobby kept assuring me, "I'll take care of you, Buddy." I didn't doubt him for a second. In the beginning, mixed in with being Buddy he referred to me by name. "Wes, follow me. Take this sheet. I'll take care of you buddy." Bobby led me to a very large, very old tub. This thing was amazing. I believe he said it was 101 years old. The temperature gauge reported 104ºF. And the water was swirled and agitated by a machine by my feet. Should I put my feet near it?

As he drew the bath Bobby invited me to climb in. "Come on in, Dr. Wes."

I don't think he called me by my name again. I was "Doc" or "Buddy" for the rest of my visit. I loved it.

The sitz bath, which is more like a sink. I wish I had a picture of me in this. It was just big enough for my butt to sit in, my feet were flat on the floor.

Ok Buddy.

To the steam bath. There are two kinds. I was not offered a choice, which was a shame because I would have rather had the kind that the girls got to use. Their looked like this; it closes up around your body, leaving your head poking out the top.

I was in a small room. Inside it is super hot. I remark on this as enter, "Wow, it is hot."

Bobby replied "It's what you want!"

After some time in here I was laid on a table with hot towels under me and wrapped in sheets keeping me tight with the heat. He put another sheet over my face, made sure it was pressed over my eyes, and then gently commanded me to relax. I did. It was relaxing.

I was on one of the blue tables in the foreground. See all the tables? There's another row on the far side of the room. I was the only male guest in here during my visit but this place was built to accommodate quite a crowd.

Then it was time for a shower. I want a shower like this at home. There are jets that circle around you so it is a festival of water.

This place was quite a time warp. We learned that Al Capone used to come to Hot Springs. This place is probably exactly the same as when he enjoyed treatments here.

Very fun.

See the tower peeking over the mountain in the left side of this picture? That's where we went next.

We admired the view. But it didn't last long, a storm was blowing in. You can see it out the window.

Sarah Michael retreated indoors, the tower was swaying in the wind and it scared her. Jessie wrestled with a garbage can while the tower worked sheltered just inside as well. I just wanted to stay outside and watch. It felt dramatic.

It is going to take some time to get used to my toes, as well as the reactions of the public.

It was a fun day.

Fabulous Pumpkins

After the zip lines, we went to an old-school bath house here in Hot Springs, AK. The experience started off in a fancy elevator with grates as the doors. We then went to change into swim suits if we so desired. I desired. As did Aunt Jessie and Sarah Michael. (Notice how I did not mention Uncle Wes...)

We were then led to the baths. Which was not at all what I had expected. There is a small room with a whirlpool bath tub, where you soak for half an hour. After the bath, you are laid down on a massage table-like table where you are draped with hot and cold towels. 

Then the steam cupboard. It is a literal cupboard. More of a glorified box, really. With a hole for your head. After that, we sat in a sitz bath, a sink for your butt, for about 15 minutes. And then for the rinse off shower.

I. Need. The. SHOWER!!! Omigoodness! On all side you are squirted by water!  Like so:

After the shower, Aunt Jessie and I got our toes done! During all of this, Uncle Wes and Sarah Michael were getting pedicures.

Keep in mind that Uncle Wes wanted to go for the whole experience.  Now his toes look like sassy pumpkins.

Needless to say, today was a good day.

Zipping on the Lines

Today Aunt Jessie and I went zip lining!

I had so much fun and I learned I am rather good at it! "How is one good or bad at zip lining?" 

I will get to that.

So there were twelve lines to cover in two hours. It was enjoyable, yet super sweaty, but quick. It went so fast because there were only six of us, including a woman celebrating her 70th birthday with her 25 year old grandson. 

Even starting out, I found I was good at zip lining. Although I spun a few times, I always seemed to come in forwards and gracefully, earning me the nicknames (throughout the duration of the trip) Tinker Bell, Butterfly, Paper Clip, and I left as Peanut. Aunt Jessie on the other hand, was part of the DBC a.k.a The Dirty Butt Club. Every time, with the exception of a neck whiplash her behind was stuck in the dirt.  

It was hilarious! 

Almost as hilarious as me falling off the sky trail. That was an adventure.  

All in all, it was an incredible experience.

Afterward: hot, dirty and sweaty.