Just about a mile from Texarkan in them old Cotton fields back home
Today we spent some time exploring Hot Springs, Arkansas. There is actually HOT water spouting out of springs in the ground in 47 different locations.
In the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas lie “The Valley of the Vapors,” as coined by Hernando DeSoto in 1541 when he discovered what has since become Hot Springs National Park. Prior to DeSoto’s “discovery,” Native Americans from various tribes held the site to be sacred and would gather to bathe in its healing waters. The springs were a place of peace, and no weapon could be raised against another.
The springs produce more than 800,000 gallons of water a day at an average temperature of 143 degrees. The water that flows from the springs today took over 4,000 years to filter down through the sedimentary layers. The heating of the water is caused not by magma or geothermal activity, but by intense pressure as the water is forced back to the surface through small fissures.
The mineral waters of the springs have a reputation for healing illnesses and afflictions for those who drink it or bathe in the waters. People from all walks of life journeyed to the legendary springs seeking a cure for their ailments. Metaphysical circles believe that the veins of quartz running through and beneath the springs lend their healing energies to the waters.
Getting comfortable here in the south
Rick and I at Hot Springs, Arkansas and I am smiling...lol
Heading home from a hard day taming a wild stag
Country Road take me home, to the place I belong
Today we visited the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. The assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was very sobering to stand there with the realization that he lost his life solely based on the color of his skin and that so much racism still exists in our society. The Lorraine Motel is now a museum and stands as a monument to everything he stood for. Another man who gave his life to change the world.
We arrived in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday, and spent a few days checking out the touristy and not so touristy attractions. Lots of pics to follow. Today we made our second stop in Memphis, Tenessee. Home of Elvis Presley. Thus far it has been an incredible journey. Tomorrow we are going to Graceland!!! I can’t tell you how excited I am. As I have mentioned before, music is secondary only to photography in my life and I cut my teeth on Elvis.
For some reason, I haven’t been able to upload pics to the net even though I’ve been paying for it so, I still have lots to put up! Here are a few from the zoo today. I think I was more excited than most of the kids there!!
For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections. ~Peace Pilgrim
Kodachrome
When I think back
On all the crap I learned in high school
It’s a wonder
I can think at all
And though my lack of education
Hasn’t hurt me none
I can read the writing on the wall
Kodachrome
You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah!
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
If you took all the girls I knew
When I was single
And brought them all together for one night
I know they’d never match
My sweet imagination
And everything looks worse in black and white
Kodachrome
You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah!
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome (away)
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome (away)
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome
(Leave your boy so far from home)
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome (away)
