Tuesday 3-30 Keeping Dry

Playing in the rain

It rained through out the day and its supposed to be around for a couple of days. During our spring or fall trips it is not unusual for us to get caught in some type of weather, this isn't a problem we just get somewhere with power and plug in. We have small heaters that keep us warm. 

I got up earlier then usual, 7:20 instead of 8:00. We knew that we were going to have rain so I bagged our chairs and grill and put them away. Afterwards we got ready to go for a hike. We decided that we would do a short hike because the rain was going to come by 10:30 or so. We were ready to go by 8:00.

We hiked was for 1 hour and 45 minutes for 3.25 miles. We crossed the Gulpha Gorge Creek and picked up the orange trail (Sunset Trail to Cedar Glades Road). It was a very steep trail that went along the highway. We climbed up and down hills through trees, up and down stairs and over rocks and tree roots. The trail was very narrow and parts of it was wet. When we got to a small store we had to cross the street a couple times to get to the trail. The street was easy to cross because they had flashing crosswalk signs that light up when you push to button. The drivers were very courteous, they stopped immediately. Once across the road there was a sign that told you where you were and where Sunset Trail was. We had to take a trail along Stone Bridge Road. It was a beautiful trail that went along a creek and Fordyce Hills. Fordyce Hills was part of 1,200 acres owned by Samuel Fordyce. The land included a campground, house and pond. In 1935 the Secretary of Interior accepted the deed from the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce of 63.2 acres donated by John R. Fordyce, Samuel's son, which is now Fordyce Hills. It's a beautiful area, you can barely see the house because it's surrounded by trees. The Sunset trail is across the street from the stone bridge that goes to Fordyce Hills. We hiked about .25 mile of the Sunset trail and turned around to hike back because it was starting to sprinkle. We took the same route back to the campground. The hike was very nice and challenging. We made it back in time before the rain started.

 

 An old water mill wheel

 

A stone bridge

Larry standing on the stone bridge

A waterfall on the pond of Fordyce Hills

A bridge that goes over the pond

Not long before we left on our trip we put a new mattress in the Minnie, on top of that mattress we have a thick latex topper. Larry has been sleeping much better but his back is starting to bother him. The new mattress is firmer than the topper so we decided to switch them and see if it helps.  

After lunch the rain slowed down so I walked down to the building and paid for two more nights. Larry spent part of the day reading while played the Daily Challenges and the Event: Two Game Tango Mini of 10 games (5 Tri Peaks and 5 Pyramid). It took me 38 minutes and 38 seconds, which put me in 8th place in my group.

Later in the afternoon the rain stopped so I decided to walk around the campground. I walked for an hour at 3:30 and another hour after dinner. I ended up doing 26,700 steps, which put me in 4th place in my group.  

For dinner Larry barbecued Southside beef sausages. We hadn't had them for a long time. They were delicious.