Hot Springs, Arkansas

I’m taking five days of rest and relaxation in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Western Arkansas, and Eastern Oklahoma. I’m based out of Hot Springs.

Oaklawn Racetrack and Casino

During my stay, I’m seeing local sights, fall foliage, and reading/editing/rewriting. I have a nice hotel room with a balcony. It’s just across the street from the Oaklawn Racetrack and Casino. I don’t play the horses or go to casinos but you can see the big building across the street from the Best Western where I’m staying. It’s a huge airplane hanger size building. The photo was taken from my balcony.

The hotel has a full breakfast included in the room rate. I enjoyed scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy with a cup of coffee.

 

Talimena National Scenic Byway

I have already visited Mena, Arkansas, and driven the Talimena Scenic Byway in Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas. The Talimena Scenic Drive is a National Scenic Byway in southeastern Oklahoma and extreme western Arkansas spanning a 54.0-mile stretch of Oklahoma State Highway 1 and Arkansas Highway 88 from Talihina, Oklahoma, to Mena, Arkansas.

Mena, Arkansas

The views were amazing looking back toward Mena, Arkansas.

Further down the drive, the vista was unending.

Traffic was heavy.

Fall Foliage

The fall foliage was spectacular.

I even took a selfie.

Hot Springs National Park

Today I hiked in the Hot Springs National Park near downtown Hot Springs. I was at an elevation of just under 2,000 feet.

Lake Hamilton

In the evening I watched the sunset at Lake Hamilton just 10-minutes south of my hotel.

I also have edited and rewritten 175 pages on my current work. I’ll post more in the days ahead.