Rudolf's Rhapsody - My First Novel

Now available through Amazon Kindle

My first novel is done and published!  I am including some new items here on my blog that were not included in the book.  I decided to keep my first product simple to ensure it's possible acceptance and financial success.  I may decide to include the new information, photos, and maps later in a paperback and hardback version of the original product.  There may even be an audio version along with being available in more languages.  My original intent was to include it all right up front.  But when I got hung up on attempts to download the photos and maps into the publishing program, I found that the efforts didn't meet what would be a worthwhile final product due to the details being too small in electronic viewing.  My skills needed to improve to better introduce the information visually.  There was also the risk of negative copyright issues since some of the inserts were taken from the internet where sufficient proof of ownership could not be found to get permission to use.  I didn't want it to be messy so I left them out and may consult professional legal aid, if needed, for peace of mind at a later date.  Right now, it is my best effort and I hope you find it an interesting and enjoyable read!

Of course, the following photos and maps will have more meaning after you read the book.  But I have included some brief narrative on each that may help you understand how it relates in the story.  Maybe you will read this blog post first and hopefully will be curious enough to buy the book afterward.  I know my blog has many followers overseas and this may also be a way they will find access to my book.

WATERSHEDS are "an area or ridge of land that separate waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.  It is the area or region drained by a river, river system, or other body of water.  It can also mean an event or period marking a turning point in a course of action or state of affairs."

In my book, I parallel boundaries defined by nature and those made by man.  Historical timelines are a great way to see changes in mankind's growth and development...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Nature in contrast, remains constant to itself.  Yes, mankind can really mess it up as well as be good stewards of the land.  But in the end, nature can renew itself and is the ultimate survivor!  Nature has no freewill and the ability to make choices and own them.  Nature and natural laws answer to the Highest Power whereas mankind can covet power to use freewill.  Mankind should be good stewards of the land in order to survive and make choices compatible with nature.  Those are good choices and will ensure our survival!

Overview of Major Watersheds in Europe 

Elbe River Watershed

Danube River Watershed

Europe Before and After World War I

Europe 1919

Czechoslovakia Area in 1928-1938

Czechoslovakia Linguistic Map 1930

Kingdom of Bohemia within the Holy Roman Empire in 1618

Historical City of Strakonice, Bohemia 

The Holy Mountain at Sveta Hora, Bohemia

Washington, D.C. Neighborhood around DuPont Circle

Historical DuPont Circle, Washington, D.C. from the U.S. Library of Congress

Washington Monument View from Under the Blooming Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.

My book work file is done and ready to file away after this project that produced my first novel.  In it I have documented my thought process with definitions, outlines, and sources available.  Timelines from various sources were correlated and assimilated to bring history together that tells a story of my heritage.  Much genealogical research was done over the major part of my adulthood along with a passion for reading fiction and non-fiction books of that time period. I also have some first-hand narrative from family members.  But in the end, I made this a fictional novel instead of a non-fictional biography.  So many gaps were still missing from the complete story over these 50 years that in order to make the story flow I had to answer many questions that will never have documented answers.  If it didn't actually happen the way I presented, well, it could have.  No one in the story is still alive to validate and if evidence was presented to make it worthwhile,  I have the ability in this format to make changes.  I'd like to think that I was inspired and guided by those family members no longer with us.  This is our story.

I had fun researching and writing my first novel!  It didn't take very long actually.  I started on what would have been my father's 100th birthday in December 2016 and wrote a lot in the first 3 months before taking a break as the weather warmed up and I got outdoors with activities.  Then I started up again the three winter months of 2017-8, took another break, and started up again for three months in 2018-9 finishing for the most part in February.  It took me one day to publish following the Kindle Direct Publishing process through Amazon.

It was easy for me maybe because I had 30+ years as an appraiser which consisted of assimilating massive amounts of researched data into a narrative report correlating basic perspectives into one final value that I had to defend to powerful political people.  I know how to do my homework and keep a defensible work file readily available.  I got so I loved a good challenge and was always open to change when better evidence was presented.  I missed that since I retired in 2011!  I also tried to use my intuitive skills developed over many years of experience and knowledge in my field but started butting heads in the final few years as evidence relied mostly on documents.  In theory, this would be best.  But the lack of true documents was turning in the direction of watering down the data available to hit the values wanted by the mortgage lenders.  The battles were being fought between intuitive values based on years of experience and knowledge vs values based on who could produce the paperwork that supported statistically manipulated values.  I felt I was wasting my time and energy.  In the end, I likely would not survive.  Time to retire and own my own time to develop and use my intuition.  It is this intuition I relied heavily on when I needed to fill in the undocumented gaps in my story.  As in Nature, it's all about the flow.  Go with it!

I already have begun some of the thought process on where I will go from here.  I am considering a book that begins where this first one ends only I will be the main character and it could be my autobiography.  I can begin with over 65 years of chronological photo albums I had kept up; most in hard copy and about 10 years in digital.  That's a lot of data to assimilate into an interesting story of my life!  I may look to Forrest Gump for guidance!  I may just start out with simple children's books for fun and see what evolves.  I hope you, the reader, join me on this journey in my retirement continuing with this blog to wherever my intuition leads me!

Fairs, Festivals, and Fitness in the Ozarks

2019 was the 8th year of my retirement and my husband's first.  Plenty of time on our hands and we found plenty of ways to utilize it!  Remodeling our vintage 1978 house in earnest this past decade always included a balance of fun with community fairs and festivals that typically began in late summer through the month of October here in the Ozarks.  There were several months of chaos caused by completing all main level flooring, repairs, and painting while we lived in both the main and lower levels.  When all the work was done, it was time to play!  It is about living a balanced life.

Together throughout the year we always stayed as busy as we wanted to be doing volunteer work with the local gardening group and enjoyed garden-related workshops with some of the larger county groups which expanded our knowledge as well as our relationships with other like-minded people.  It also got us outdoors more and the exercise kept us fit.  The annual Harvest Festival in Wheatland highlighted our main service project which is planning and caring for the gardens at Settlers Village where the festival takes place.  There are several posts in this blog that have details about this annual festival and our gardens as it has been our project for many years.  As with most all the fairs, festivals, and fitness-related subjects mentioned in this post, more details can be found by using the Search tool located on the home page of my blog.  Many of the past events were currently more of the same and we always love to attend or participate when we can and likely will continue doing more of the same in the future. It keeps us bonded to our home area that we chose to move to in 1978 while reaffirming that moving here was the best decision we ever made!    

Keith and Beti volunteer their time at the Hickory County Master Gardener Booth both days of the annual Wheatland Harvest Festival.

Missouri State Fair in Sedalia is attended most years.  The Missouri Department of Conservation, Art, Floral, and live concerts are our usual favorites to see!

Humansville Fall Festival doesn't change much over the years and is one event that is very close to home and was even closer when we lived on 50 acres nearby.  The parade is the most interesting with any kind of vehicle paraded whether it moved on it's own or pushed through the route....always entertaining! 

Stockton Black Walnut Festival is always a pleasure to attend with many craft booths, live entertainment, parade, and great food choices!  This trip we took the free tour again of the famous Hammons Products Company to see the process and buy some wonderful black walnut products. 

Cole Camp is an old German settlement that really knows how to party with dancing in the streets with live music, amazing German foods, beer, & wine, several streets filled with antique shops, and interesting people to watch and visit.  The history documented everywhere is amazing!

7 Springs Winery is our closest outdoor winery now that Sugar Loaf has closed after being our favorite for several years.  The awesome landscaping and fall changing colors in the hills pairs well with our favorite Norton wine and some great foods.  There is also live entertainment on the weekends in the afternoon.

Truman Heritage Days in Warsaw is our all-time favorite fall festival!  There is so much to do that it takes two days to get through it all.  Up by the Truman Dam in the encampments, old-time skills and crafts, settlement history and re-enactments.  In the town of Warsaw and along the harbor are numerous craft tents.  Below the dam is convenient parking with wonderful shuttle busses that take you to both areas as much as you want for both days.  Exceptionally organized - rain or shine!

Beti is "taking in the vapors" at Hot Springs, Arkansas!  This 4-6 day yearly Spa Trip has been a big part of our October plans for most of the past 20 years.  We always stay at The Arlington Hotel as seen in the background above.  I am so happy to have my brother and his wife join us again this year!  Hopefully, my other brother and his wife will join us next year as both my brothers and my husband retired in the same year and have the time to join us.  Maybe other friends and relatives will make it too!

Hot Springs, Arkansas tradition has been a horse-drawn carriage ride around the city on a Saturday night.  The service is available on the weekends in front of The Arlington Hotel.

Keith and Beti pose at the usual scenic stop overlooking the Ozarks on Scenic Highway 7 south of Harrisonville, Arkansas.  Many photos have been taken at this location since the kids were young.  It's a great place to stop and climb the tall overlook tower and shop in the small shop.

Pomme de Terre Lake Shore Clean-up was one of my volunteer projects this year just a few miles from home.  This is my 6th year as a member of the Missouri Master Naturalists, Lake of the Ozarks Chapter.   The greatest number of my required volunteer hours involved this PDT Lake.  It was such a  mess this year due to higher than average waters.  I was unable to safely take water samples from my kayak for 6 of the 8 required sampling times through the 2019 season in my 6th year with Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program (LMVP).  The group above consisted of volunteers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Stream Teams,  Master Naturalist, and local citizens.  I'm in the back row, blue jacket.  We left the lake shore area better than we found it!  

Silver Dollar City in Branson is one of the largest theme parks in the country.  We have been here countless times since we moved to Missouri in 1978 and our daughter had worked here as an EMT for several years as a young, single adult.  It is as amazing as it is big and it's been awesome to watch it grow over the years along with the City of Branson and the massive highway system that supports it south of Springfield.  Last spring I won 2 free day passes to SDC at one of the gardening workshops Keith and I attended!  Definitely NOT a cheap place to visit!

Ha Ha Tonka State Park Castle Ruins is our most frequent state park visited close to home.  We started coming here before it was a state park and way before the fences and boardwalks were built to service the large crowds that come here in recent years.  So many photos had been taken with family as we all crawled and climbed throughout the ruins and cliffs along the rough trails.  Now it is all protected from excessive deterioration that comes with crowds.  It is still a great place to hike and enjoy.  The park also includes the lower spring area which has a great kayak launch area and is part of a 13-mile water trail that I volunteered to produce with the Master Naturalist group.  A great place to picnic, fish, hike, and kayak and we enjoy it all as much as we can!

I am thankful to live in a great area that includes a diversity of community activities that all contribute to a healthy lifestyle!  Since I turn age 65 about a year ago, I took advantage of free membership at the Bolivar YMCA which supports the Silver Sneakers Program covered by my health insurance.  Although I have been a member and/or participated at the Southwest Baptist University (SBU) Wellness Center for the past 25 years, it was only intermittent from January through May each year and I had to pay for it.  This past year, I have benefitted from the YMCA the most as I have lost 17 pounds with continuous and regular attendance.  I am happy that Keith joins me sometimes as programs and activities encourage opportunities to be social which is a big part of a good healthy lifestyle!

Being healthy, happy, and fit all contribute to the positive energy needed to enjoy our only grandchild, Kayleen.  Staying involved in community and socializing helps keep us interesting with a zest for life that we want very much to pass along to her for as many years as God blesses us to have.  Many opportunities are close to home and right in front of your face!  It does help if you have something to offer and recognize the joy you receive in return.

Family Time During Remodeling Chaos

Tornado Art (2006-2019)

Nothing stays the same.  Sometimes changes are well planned and are close to what was expected.  Sometimes changes happen suddenly and we survive and adapt.  Mostly we move forward as changes are inevitable.  The remodeling we did this year was disruptive but we came out better than expected although for a short time it felt and looked like a tornado came through!  I have wrote about remodeling the lower level, kitchen, dining, hallway, and living rooms in recent blogs.  This is about surviving the time during the remodeling of three bedrooms which included all the flooring upstairs which were already detailed.  I have some awesome surviving skills which begins with the story of this Tornado Art that I had framed and kept basically to myself until now.  Here's the story:

May 2003 I bicycled 250 miles of the Katy Trail alone, fully packed, staying at B&B's along the way from Clinton to St. Louis with return by Amtrak and additional biking. It was during these 7 days/6 nights that a series of destructive tornadoes took out the City of Stockton and Pierce City not far from my home in Hermitage. The storms and countless tornadoes moved NE across the state. I stayed ahead of them moving in the same direction. Couldn't go home or stay where I was; just kept moving as planned alone on the trail 30-50 miles/day catching up on what was happening behind me each evening at a B&B from the news. I stopped counting trees fallen across the trail that I had to go over or around with a fully packed bike at 20 when I crossed the Missouri River past Booneville. I have no doubt that there were at least 20 more! Kept going and rained on only once for a couple hours; the storms were that close! After the adventure, I thought to get a tornado tattoo on my leg as a reminder of my experience and searched the internet for photos. I found this print and had a customized frame made instead of getting a tattoo. It was hung in my weekday townhouse in Jeff City while I worked as manager of the State Tax Commission. It was to remind me daily of my strength and endurance as I worked and lived among some powerful politics and people. I held my ground and moved in a positive direction that never compromised my ideals and purpose. It reminded me that Nature is stronger than anything man can create and can destroy it in a flash. When I had made all the changes I wanted to policies and procedures in my department and had all I wanted of Jeff City, I moved back to Hermitage full time and hung the tornado in my home office...just for me. Now I'm ready to let go of it and set it free again. It is a good time now that we are remodeling the room.  Hope it finds a good home where its beauty, strength, and quality is appreciated just like me.  I decided to donate it to a local not-for-profit art gallery in Bolivar where it was part of a silent auction the weekend I had a huge carport sale on Labor Day weekend.  Time to re-value our space and the most important part of it is and always will be FAMILY!  

On Memorial Weekend, we were just days away from the chaos which would include living in the space as we remodel them.  Before the floors and kitchen were complete remodeling was postponed to make comfortable room for my brother and son to visit from out of state.  It was the next few months until Labor Day Weekend that we enjoyed the love and strength we got from spending time with family that saw us through successfully.  It began with my Iowa brother's yearly visit which always included ice cream!

Beti & Eddie at Andy's in Osage Beach

The Annual Watercolor Exhibit at Springfield's Art Museum with Keith is a yearly favorite especially on opening night with food and drinks included as we meet the artists!

Bass Pro Hemingway's Restaurant in Springfield is a great family tradition for seafood dinner.   

Beti & Jake at The Outlet below the Pomme de Terre Dam Hermitage

Beti & Sarah in front of Joe's Crab Shack Branson

Beti on the Katy Trail

Granddaughter Kayleen with Bubbles in Branson

Gardening with My Granddaughter in Branson

My Branson Girls at The Landing Fountain

Itty Bitty City in Springfield is the Party Place for this Minnie Mouse 2nd Birthday 

Carport Sale on Labor Day Weekend is the Grand Finale...for NOW!

By this weekend, we were back to normal!  We were fully using our kitchen, dining room, living room, hallway, stairway to the lower level, and back in our newly remodeled, beautiful bedroom after basically living on the lower level with all this stuff!  There's more room in the new office and the extra bedroom is now my yoga room and will soon have a daybed for my granddaughter to stay overnight.  

We then took another break to enjoy activities around us and to travel to Hot Springs, Arkansas for our yearly trip.  Time to rest and relax and gain new strength for the next projects starting with a new deck and siding that has already begun at this writing.  Next year I plan to complete the interior remodeling of two bathrooms.  Now is the time to plan.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas - 45th Wedding Anniversary

Keith & Beti
Harding Springs at Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is only a couple hours south from our home in SW Missouri.  We have visited many times since we moved to Missouri in 1978.  It just seemed right to celebrate our 45th Wedding Anniversary in a place that is most familiar and holds many fond memories.  It is a place full of uniqueness and interesting people.  It is edgy and eccentric.  It is full of unusual history.  No wonder we feel comfortable here!  It was a time to make some more memories.

There are so many things to do and see, I cannot begin to write about it all here.  I can share the collection of photos I took in this music slideshow.  It was an amazing happening.  This is us.

  

Hot Springs, Arkansas - Relaxed & Renewed

Scenic stop along Highway 7 south of Harrison, Arkansas

October is our favorite time of year.  Before the trees change color and plants die, all the vegetables are harvested, and cooler weather becomes the norm, we like to extend the end of summer weather just a little by traveling to Arkansas.  The six hour drive south from our home in Missouri starting on Highway 65 then on Scenic Highway 7 at Harrison makes for a very pleasant drive.  The optional route for some good scenery but faster time would be continuing on Highway 65 towards Little Rock and at Conway take Highway 60 west until you catch Highway 7 going south into Hot Springs.  Just realize that all major roads near Little Rock are very stressful with high truck traffic.  The time difference may or may not be worth it.  It is most definitely worth the extra time to stop at least a couple times on the Scenic Route!  Another option that may be worth stopping as an extension to the trip would be Murfreesboro about an hour straight south where the Crater of Diamonds State Park is located.  We enjoyed it one time in 1992 when our children were 10 and 12 years old and our son went there again when he graduated high school.  The other extension to our regular Hot Springs trip was to P. Allen Smith's Moss Mountain Farm near Little Rock for our 40th Wedding Anniversary in 2014.  That's about an hour drive northeast from Hot Springs, if you are already there.  Most of the time we just prefer to park our car and stay within walking distance of our favorite hotel The Arlington which is the heart of Hot Springs!  Most of our previous trips included Garvan Woodland Gardens which began construction in 1992 by the University of Arkansas' Botanical Gardens.  It is only 15 minutes from Hot Springs but this trip was shorter than previous trips and sadly it was not included this year.  Next time for sure!  We have come to Hot Springs most years since the children left home and plan to make it a priority in our retirement years as Keith plans to join me in retirement at the end of this year.  This first week of October was the earliest time of the month we've ever visited as reservations were made months in advance for the hotel and time off Keith's work to attend the Art Festival and gallery tours held at this time every year.  We didn't end up attending any art shows on this short trip.  There were plenty of things to do together close to our hotel.  Best weather time is the last two weeks of October as the first week was a bit too hot and humid especially with all the hot steam coming from the open springs.  Mornings and evening were the only times to be physically active outdoors.

The best part of the trip this year was that my husband Keith and I were joined by my brother and sister-in-law from Iowa.  Brother Ed retired a few months ago and he finally had the time and desire to join us on our yearly trip.  I believe they both found a good place to be Relaxed & Renewed and we're happy to have come.  I missed having Bobi Kitty with us again this year as we have taken him and our dachshund Daffney in previous years which worked out very well.  You can see more of our Hot Springs trips with pets by typing in "Hot Springs" in the "Search" box on the main page of my blog.  It will include many of the things we didn't do on this trip and some of the same things we do every trip.  Bobi Kitty did well with car travel his first three years but now at five years old, he has developed car sickness and we found a great place for him to stay.  The All About Paws daycare and pet hotel has a great deluxe suite for him that he has stayed at when we went to San Diego recently.  He is well cared for and has known the caretakers all his life!

Owner Darwina gives Bobi Kitty lots of attention as he enjoys his large picture window in his deluxe accommodations.

The relaxation and renewal begins and ends with the hot mineral springs.  Hot Springs National Park is located across the street from The Arlington.  You can see the history and current information by clicking on the link or reading what I have included in previous "Hot Springs" blogs through the "Search" tool on the main page of this blog.  I will include some updated photos and information about this particular trip that we enjoyed with my brother and sister-in-law.  It was a memorable time that also renewed our family relationships in a relaxed atmosphere.  It is a new beginning as we all reach retirement and grow to share healing and restoration in our Golden Years.

Fordyce Bathhouse and Visitor Center on Bathhouse Row Hot Springs National Park

Exercise is a major part of good health.  I have wrote extensively about the bathing process in previous blogs and additional information can be found through my links provided.  Since this trip was a minimal time spent here, I will show how a typical day was spent and add the highlights of personal experiences with my family.  The day begins with a good breakfast.  Our 50+ Senior rate at The Arlington included a breakfast value of $15 each of the three weekdays we were there.  It does not included Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.  That weeknight room rate was $103.50 (plus tax & fees of $15.11).  After breakfast, an hour walk beginning at The Grand Promenade was enjoyed before the day heated up.  There are several levels to walk or hike on Hot Springs Mountain which can include a tower.  It can also be driven to by car. There's 5,550 acres!  This trip we stayed on the street level and The Grand Promenade which is the first level up the mountain.  One time we were guided by Park Ranger Sheila Malone who include information that was new.  Every trip I see or learn something new and interesting here!  Here's a collection of recent photos together in a music video showing what our morning walks included behind Bathhouse Row along The Grand Promenade.

The walk back to The Arlington was usually along Bathhouse Row which is also included Hot Springs National Park.  Only the Buckstaff Bathhouse has been continually open to the public as the others have been under remodeling phases since we first came in 1992.  There are eight bathhouses of which only two are actually used as bathhouses now and take walk-ins.  The other bathhouses are restored and repurpose.  The European-style architecture includes interiors of Italian marble, stained glass windows with nature motifs, ceramic tile floors in intricate patterns, flowing fountains inside and outside, and flowering magnolia tree lined Central Avenue.  It is wonderful that this unique treasure is federally protected!

The Hot Springs National Park Administration Office is located at one end of Bathhouse Row at Reserve Street and Central Avenue.  Behind it is the Army-Navy Hospital which became Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center and is now the Arkansas Career Training Institute.

The Lamar is the best place to shop for Hot Springs National Park souvenirs and get your National Park book stamped if you are a collector.  There is no sales tax.

The Buckstaff Bathhouse is a walk-in bathhouse for the traditional thermal mineral bathing experience.  It has been in continuous operation since 1912.   

The Ozark Bathhouse is a cultural center open for special events and for the public but it was not open at the time we were there on this trip. 

The Quapaw Bathhouse has modern bath and spa services including thermal mineral pools of different temperatures; all with the thermal mineral spring waters.  The pools are open to both men and women and children over age 14 wearing bathing suits.  Reservations are recommended. 

The Quapaw Bathhouse as viewed from The Grand Promenade to the rear.  This first week of October shows just a hint of changing color in the trees.

The Fordyce Bathhouse should be your first place to visit allowing at least an hour of guided tour or self-tour time.  It is the official Visitors Center for Hot Springs National Park and has a book store and museum.  The rooms have been restored as the high-end bath experience showing what is was like originally.  It is not a public bath house anymore. This is our favorite bath house porch to people-watch with great rocking chairs!

Between the Fordyce and Maurice bathhouses is considered the main entrance to Hot Springs National Park.  Here is a fountain that the public can drink from and stairways to the 47 capped springs and several open springs along The Grand Promenade and Hot Springs Mountain.  There are many walking trails that spur off.

The Maurice Bathhouse is almost completely remodeled and ready for rent at this time. 

The Hale Bathhouse is not currently with tenant.

The Superior Bathhouse is now a Brewery with the world's only thermal water beer and root beer! It took a special act of the U.S. Congress to permit use of the protected thermal waters for commercial sale and is the only brewery in a national park.  There's also an eclectic pub fare that has local farm partnerships.  Wonderful atmosphere!

After walking along The Grand Promenade and Bathhouse Row, a return to The Arlington Hotel is usually in order as the businesses across Central Avenue don't open until 10:00 a.m.  There are several blocks of unique boutiques, specialty stores, museums, restaurants, and nightclubs among the commercial variety all within walking distance of The Arlington which faces Central Avenue.  Coming together on The Arlington's wonderful 2-sided porch is the common area we all meet as one or more of us goes their own way alone or with each other throughout the day.  Plans are made or to each their own for meals.  We all had made the same Arlington Bathhouse reservations on the first day for the traditional bathing experience at 4:00 p.m. for each day of our stay. I have never tried any other place for these services as I am comfortable with The Arlington.  I always include massage for what is known as The Works.  This is a good time as I feel best when not eating before.  I may consider trying services at the Buckstaff or Quapaw on the first day of arrival as sometimes we are too late for that day.  We now have the more information about the other bathhouses' closing time and prices which accommodate walk-ins.

The Arlington has much history and with that much remodeling.  It is so large that there's always something in need of repair or refurbishment.  We have experienced some highs and lows since we first stayed here in 1992.  We keep coming back because the positive qualities far outweigh the negative and that's how we roll in life anyway!  But if you are one that gets irritated and finds faults easily you might be overwhelmed here and should find a more standard modern motel off the downtown area because this is the best one in the middle of all the action.  It is clean but old, restored but not cheaply replicated, it is in a class of its own.

I prefer the glamorous Art Deco styles of the 1920's which is very much appreciated here and goes along with the prohibition and gangster atmosphere which is promoted throughout the downtown area.  It is the era of the bathhouses, illegal gambling, prostitution, and bootlegging.  It is the place where enemies all came together in peace to soak and drink of the mineral spring waters.  Even the law looked the other way.  Then a governor decided it was time to stop and cracked down in the 1940's. Las Vegas began when Hot Springs ended.  For more detailed history a good place to tour is The Gangster Museum just across the street from Bathhouse Row.

I have included many photos of The Arlington on previous blogs that are easily accessible using the search tool on the main page.  Here I have included the most recent photos to show that the building is kept up and just really cool to stay there!  It is definitely the heart of Hot Springs and has more things available in one place than any other at a very good price.  

Maxine tells of her time as a Madame in the heyday of crime in a video. 

This trip was a short one but we were close enough to walk and enjoy a variety of activities everyday.  It worked well for us since my brother drove us all in their roomy van and it stayed parked in the hotel's covered garage.  No time was taken to drive until it was time to go home so our time was well spent.  Everyone was free to be together or wander off individually or in mixed groups.  We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon and left Saturday morning.  Every Friday night there's an award-winning seafood buffet at The Arlington and my brother treated us all.  I was sure not to eat much all day as I'm not use to eating a lot in the evenings.  It was so very good!  Of course, we had a good walk afterwards and then later in the evening I treated everyone to a horse carriage ride around the city to enjoy the Friday night city lights.  Many more people come into Hot Springs for the weekend and we saw a lot more people activity!  We usually leave on a Sunday after the amazing Sunday Brunch offered each week but that can wait until next year.  Typically, our trips are from Monday to Sunday allowing 5-6 traditional bath experiences.  Any amount of time is a good time in Hot Springs!

Saturday morning checkout went very well with a major reduction in our hotel bill that was unexpected.  There had been some water pipes break on our 7th floor but it didn't much affect us as it was during the time we were out and about.  It only lasted a couple hours with the water shut off.  Also my bath attendant was new one evening and didn't allow me enough "hot wrap" time so an adjustment was made to my bill.  They were very accommodating taking off about 18% of our total bill!  We definitely will come back again and again!  I hope my brother and sister-in-law had a good enough experience to join us again next year.  We certainly enjoyed their company and our shared experiences!

On our way home, we stopped to take our daughter and grandbaby out to dinner at Garfield's at The Landing in Branson.  It was a perfect ending to a relaxing and fun trip and there's nothing like family together to feel renewed!

Standing ovation with applause from our sweet granddaughter!!!!!