Ever been to Arkansas?

Well, we have.  Just got back, actually.  It was a surprisingly beautiful place.  Here is what we did:

We went to Hot Springs National Park--the smallest of all the national parks.

Toured an old bath house.  That tub was HUGE.  It was very art-deco and totally un-updated.  Trevor and I thought it was really neat, the kids wanted out.

 So, out we went on a hike in the Hot Springs hills.  I thought Virginia would want a ride, but she wanted to hike right along with the rest of us.

Once she realized what a sweet ride it was on Trevor's back, she didn't mind the lift.

We spent A LOT of time walking on rock walls.  Just imagine all the rock walls that a national park holds!!!  I am pretty sure that Trevor went around this little triangle space enough times that he started playing Sudoku on his phone as he walked, but he never once complained.

We went to the Mid-American Science Museum and did great things like drinking from a toilet drinking fountain (I abstained, couldn't bare to touch the rim), standing in a hurricane wind simulator and saw a Tesla Electrical Coil.  Fascinating for everyone but Virginia who thought it was all-together too noisy and wanted out.

Then off to the races!  We found the Oaklawn Race Track and spent part of the afternoon there.  We stood right on the fence for two races and got up close to the horses as they did a pre-race parade.  We watched the crews prep the horses and get all of their racing gear on.  It was awesome.  I LOVED it, and so did everyone else.  Virginia kept yelling, "They are SO beautiful!" and she was right.  Luckily, we didn't press our luck and placed no bets because none of the horses that we picked won.

Last stop was Garvin Gardens, a botanical garden run by University of Arkansas.  The azaleas were blooming as well as the trees and thousands of tulips  This little G-Scale train was a highlight.  We stood and watched it for a while.  Savannah's feet got sore though.