Arkansas 2017 - Thursday

Thursday April 13

Spa Day - Day 2

Yesterday once we'd settled in to our room at the Lookout Point Lakeside Inn both Kim and I agreed that we'd both be very content to spend the majority of today, our second day, just enjoying being here at the B & B.  When we woke up, around 6:30 and gazed out we could see it was a very foggy start to the day.  But we were awakened to crisp temperatures and the sound of the chirping birds - very pleasant start to the day!

By 7 the coffee was ready and we had our first cup sitting on our porch taking photos of the birds as they landed and fed in the bird feeder right outside our porch.  Neither of us are "bird people," but we've found that on both trips here we truly enjoy the birds and listening to them sing.  This morning I was thinking how we have LOTS of loud birds in our backyard along the water, but they are clearly "Florida birds."  These birds brought back memories of being in Ohio as a youngster hearing the birds on a spring/summer morning.  :)

Shortly after 8 breakfast was served, and just as we remembered from our previous visit, it was delicious!  A great way to begin our second day's adventure.

We decided we'd walk the neighborhood - about a two mile round trip outing.  I first took a few photos of the Inn - both inside and out and then we headed out.  SOOOO many beautiful, and big, homes over looking the lake!

Once we got back we met the owner, Ray, in the front parking lot and chatted with him - he and I had corresponded prior to our visit and he'd called me once to answer a question.  He and his wife have been very appreciative of our returning for a second visit.  Kim went for a run and I began handicapping the races for the weekend.  Then the highlight of the day came when we drove to downtown Hot Springs where there are a series of historic hot springs spas.  Kim had made us an appointment at the Quapaw Bath.  We were quickly ushered into our locker rooms to undress and return in just our robes.  Then escorted to our private bath where we soaked for almost a half hour in what was called a "Mineral Silk" session.  The water wasn't hot, just warm, but the minerals were supposed to act like a de-tox.  Then we put our swim suits on and were led to one of the original underground caves where we enjoyed another near half-hour of steaming.  All very refreshing!

Kim took a nap and I finished handicapping the Saturday card of races for Arkansas Derby Day.  At 4:30 it was time to head out to the lobby area where the "happy hour spread" had been laid out.  We enjoyed a few chips and some wine.

The last item of our laid back day - what I termed to Kim was like a "day at sea" when we cruise - was our dinner.  We'd decided last night that we so enjoyed the food and ambiance of the Back Porch Grill that we'd go back.  So we got our table on the deck, enjoyed the view and then had a delicious meal - both of us got seafood which were smaller portions but every bit as good.

Remember that the owner of the restaurant is an owner of thoroughbreds?  Here are a couple of photos of the decor of the inside of the restaurant.

Tomorrow after breakfast we plan to head out to the Garvan Woodland Gardens - we really enjoyed walking around there, very much like a national park.  And then we'll head out to the races for the two big graded stakes with Keith who is scheduled to arrive sometime early afternoon.