After a pretty good night’s sleep, we awoke to beautiful dark grey skies and a thoroughly water-logged campground. We were staying in a 4 month old place called Catherine’s Landing which is on Lake Catherine just south of Hot Springs. Other than the mud and their wi-fi system being down, it’s a nice place, especially the clean, modern bathhouses – however I was about to go into internet/ blogging withdraw.
The hard shaking the RV took on the roads the day before has resulted in several things that aren’t working right, but nothing we can’t live with – we’re making a list. Hopefully we can make it to San Marcos okay, where we’ll have several days to check into some of them – it will be non-interstates the rest of the way there and perhaps all the way home. Bev asked if I thought we could send the State of Arkansas a bill as nearly all of our issues so far are bad road related.
After a leisurely morning, we rolled the car off the tow dolly and headed off to check out the Hot Springs area and the sun had popped out a few minutes before we left. We started at the Visitors Center and found two very nice ladies with some history knowledge and great advice, one of which was lunch at Rolando's Restaurante, where the owner is from Ecuador.
Here’s a shot of the the outdoor patio, which was closed, the rocks leading out to it, and the restaurant inside. I believe dinner out there on a cool night with the lights on would be very nice.
I had the tilapia (recommended by the visitors center ladies) and Bev had a pork quesadilla. Mine, which comes with a sauce made from lime juice, garlic, capers and tequila was outstanding as were the sides and garnishes of pickled cukes and pickled onions.
Bev’s was the best presentation of the dish I’d ever seen and it was very good but not in the same league as the tilapia – much prettier than the one on their website.
If we didn’t know better, we could have been in Sevier or Cooke County, Tn as the scenery was so similar, except their leaves were just past their prime and ours were gone. Here's a shot of Hot Springs form Mount Washington and the Lake where we're staying.
After a very difficult travel day, we had a really nice day in Hot Springs.
All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.
Larry
We used to go to Hot Springs quite often in the summer. Mainly to Lake Tanako on Lake Catherine as a youngster. It was cool there in the summer on the lake.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Arlington Hotel is still as elegant as it was years ago. I recall beautiful wide verandas and a feeling of old world elegance with Bath House Row down the street, but things change and memories fade.
Tell Bev I grew up in Arkansas and I couldn't wait to get out of there either. It's a great place to be "from." Hope the roads improve as you get to Texas.
Sam
Arkansas is so pretty and it's been years and years since I've been. That's too bad about those roads. We're always amazed when we drive to Kansas, their highway systems are in tip-top shape. Colorado is really good about keeping up maintenance also. Looking forward to more updates Larry.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your travels and may the bumps along the way be few. We were recently at a wedding near Dallas and the weather was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteRolando's is a neat looking place. That rock wall is pretty cool and the found looks great.
ReplyDeleteThat quesadilla really does look awesome. I love finding great new foods while traveling. Sounds like you are having a great time. Good luck with the RV, darn roads need to stop messing with your fun!
ReplyDeleteLarry, Finally an upbeat day! Hopefully, the rest of your trip will turn out to be great every day. Nice work on finding the local restaurant. Asking locals is one of my favorite ways to find good food as well. Travel safely! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteI've only been to San Antonio for a few days and then the airports for a plane change. But this restaurant sounds incredible and those entree's that you had look to die for! I could use a Mexican food fix right now after all of the turkey and fixings! maybe tomorrow night!!!
ReplyDeleteOoops, I made an error Larry…..we driven through Texas many times and the last drive from SC to AZ was taken on the southern route through El Paso…..it was yuck-o!!!!
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