Hi friends,
Well, I’ve been on the road for over a month now (time flies!) and needless to say, I’m traveling at a much faster pace than I’m writing. But that’s ok — I’m going at my own pace and still trying to find that happy balance between exploring, working, and resting.
Next stop was Little Rock, Arkansas.
I know what you’re thinking. WTF, Megan —Arkansas?? That’s the land of 20-whatever Kids and Counting, Walmart, and probably a ton of other stereotypes that I really don’t need to mention.
And to be completely honest, I had them too.
The Natural State really surprised me. Not only is it a REALLY pretty state, nestled in the Ozarks, Little Rock was actually a pretty cool town. I stayed in the SOMA area (South Main) which had really cute shops, restaurants, bars, and only one of two Purse Museums in the world (the other is in South Korea)! It was so neat to walk through and see all of the vintage handbags and accessories from the early 1900s to the 1990s. Although I did take a bit of offense when I saw the Rainbow Brite purse in the 80s case. Ugh.
Little Rock was definitely a low-key stop but I really enjoyed my time there!
One of the fun parts about meeting people in different cities is that you get the BEST recommendations. I’ve planned only my route and probably very little else. I was in the cutest shop, Pink Olive, getting my niece and nephew their postcard. The woman working told me I HAD to stop by Hot Springs and go to the Buckstaff Bathhouse.
For a little context, Hot Springs was the place to be at the turn of the century because of the healing properties of the mineral water in the 6 million-year-old hot springs. Bathouses popped up all over "Bathhouse Row” for specifically baseball players wanting to cure their “ailments” (mostly due to heavy drinking) and the hot mineral water was thought to have “boiled” out their impurities. [too easy, not going there. 🤣]
So off to Buckstaff I went — and it was quite an experience! I couldn’t take more photos for obvious reasons but for $40 the hot treatments felt great, especially after all of the driving I’d been doing. After I detoxed, I went and retoxed with a flight at Superior Bathhouse Brewery. The brewery, which is in an old converted bathhouse, uses the mineral water to make their beers. And I have to say, even up to this point in my trip, it’s been my favorite brewery thus far!
So in the words of Chris Stapleton’s song Arkansas “If you wanna get down, gotta get down to Arkansas.” It may just surprise the hell out of you, like it did me!
Next stop… OKC!
Love and light,
MW