Time off for the holidays

 We are taking a break from travel and blog posts to spend the holidays with family and friends. We hit the road again after the first of the year. 

Going home !

All packed up and ready to head home for the holidays.

 Black pins are all the places we visited during the last 8 weeks on the road.  White pins are still to come starting in January.

Laurel, Mississippi - Home Town

 While we were in Mississippi we took a side trip to Laurel the historic town where Ben and Erin Napier film their HGTV show "Hometown". Never did we think we would actually run into Ben and Erin. The town is adorable and so are they. We apologize for not taking more pictures of the beautiful historic homes and shops. 

One of the many historic old homes and amazing trees.

Jackson, MS November 2-5, 2023

The mighty Mississippi River

 

Beautiful mural along the bike path. The path started at the Lefleur' Bluff State Park where we camped and went into the city. 

Capital building

Our campsite along the Pearl River.

Goat Rock Trial Hike

 Another great hike with beautiful views. 

Sunset Trail Hike to Ricks Pond

One of the many hikes in the park. This one left right from our campground. 

 

Hot Springs National Park 10/30

A very different National Park.  In the 1900's Hot Springs was one of the most visited health and wellness resorts in the United States. People would come from miles to visit the bathhouses and soak in the hot spring water to ease their pain and recover their health. Since 1921 the springs and historic bathhouses have formed the heart of the national park. The park's 5,500 acres of forest surround the historical bathhouse row in downtown. 

 

A former bathhouse turned into a brewery / restaurant. The beer is made using the spring water from the hot springs.  Of course we tried it !

The National Park visitor center is in one of the former bathhouses.  They restored the bathhouse to original and you can tour it for free. 

A photo from one of the rooms in the restored bathhouse.

One of the many hot springs around town. The water is HOT and steaming.