Hot Springs and Little Rock

We all took a tour of Dan's Whetstones.  They mine a stone called Novaculite that is found in this part of Arkansas and mill it into whetstones that are sold all over the world. There are hundreds of uses for the stones from sharpeners for cutlery to flints for black powder guns.

This was the sign that greeted us at the front gate.

This gentleman is Dan, the founder of the company.  He employs 30 people and works every day.

Here is our guide showing us some black stone.

Arkansas Whetstones are known all over the world as the finest natural sharpening stones.

Stone is cut into all shapes and sizes; these are for coasters.

We found a little place to have lunch behind the buildings on the main street called The Grateful Head.  It was a pizza place and had really good food.  

The calzone was too big for just one meal.

The beer wasn't.

The restaurant itself was above this place, The Gin Joint

This is inside the Gin Joint.

Sometimes, we find interesting signs in our travels.  This one was in the toilet.

Vickie went with friends to visit the Clinton Library

Afterward, they found another interesting place to have lunch, The Flying Saucer.

On Sunday, Vickie and I went to the Buckstaff Bathhouse.  The Buckstaff is still in operation after almost 100 years.  The interior is original.  First, you sit in a huge whirlpool bathtub in 102-degree spring water.  Then you get a sitz bath followed by twenty minutes wrapped in hot towels.  After that, there is the steam bath, a cool needle shower, and a twenty-minute massage.

Back at the campground, a few kayaks were rented for the afternoon.  

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The Seskos came with their own inflatable kayak and dog.

We went into the headquarters of Mountain Valley Spring Water.  They have a small museum about the history of the company.

The young lady behind the counter told us to look at the urinals in the men's room.  They were quite unique and very ornate.

We walked down the street to Fat Jacks for lunch

People write their names or whatever comes to mind all over the walls, ceiling, and tables.  We were no exception. 

Another interesting sign to welcome you to the bar.

Did I mention their collection of license plates?