Hot Springs, Arkansas & Catherine’s Landing

–Where Tom & Teri were once known as “Ice Cream & Beer“-
-Video, photos of our fun times w/ Ideas & Links of things-to-do-

We have had several rv journeys to locations in Arkansas, including the beautiful lakes, Batesville Speedway, Mark Martin Racing Museum, Blanchard Springs Caverns, Hot Springs & other places throughout Arkansas.

***When we get to the Hot Springs area, we’ve stayed at Catherine’s Landing***

Tom captures of photo of Teri “chillin’” at our RV Spot at Catherine’s Landing, near Hot Springs. While we were pulling into our spot, and setting up, there were bald eagles flying over us.

About once or twice a year, we’ve made our way to the Hot Springs, Arkansas area. We always stay at Catherine’s Landing on Lake Catherine, which is just 5 minutes from Hot Springs. We’ve enjoyed the great walking trails around the property, as well as renting a canoe for an enjoyable ride to the dam area and other areas on that part of the lake. They do offer motorboat, paddle boat and kayak rentals, too.

**Among our TomsMaHauL crew, are (son) Tim & (fiance) Missy, in their kayaks.**

After family (Tim & Missy) arrived at Catherine’s Landing, they joined Trippin’ w/ Tom & Teri at the park’s pool, followed by cookin’ up some supper before enjoying the beautiful disc golf course near our cabins & RV spot. Plenty of deer & armadillos were in attendance. ***Tom was the caddy & photographer.***

***Our son, Tim, had fun behind the wheel of the pontoon boat on the Ouachita River, from Catherine’s Landing to Lake Catherine State Park. Teri captures a photo of Tim & Tom during the journey.***

Below, Teri decided it was time for a quick TomsMaHauL.com video: Trippin’ w/ Tom & Teri, along with son, Tim + Fiance’, Missy…aka The Skipper Too, Gilligan, Mary Ann & Ginger… during our 3 hour round-trip boat ride on the Ouachita River from Catherine’s Landing to Lake Catherine State Park.

After the boat ride we loaded into the Jeep and enjoyed an afternoon in, nearby, Hot Springs. We stopped in at some of the shops, before taking the tour of the Gangster Museum. Very educational museum tour. Tom captured a photo of Teri holding a Thompson submachine gun (Tommy Gun) with Al Capone. Folks can actually fire these guns nearby.

The Hot Springs Gangster Museum photographer told Teri to sit on Capone’s lap, and Teri looks reluctant to do so.
L-R: Tom, Teri, Al Capone, Missy & “Tommy Gun” Tim.

Teri captured a photo of our son, Tim w/ Tom @ the Babe Ruth exhibit in the Gangster Museum. Back in the day, many baseball stars would come to Hot Springs for Spring training. Babe Ruth hit the 2nd longest baseball flight in History in Hot Springs. One of the baseballs was recovered in a nearby alligator farm. Babe Ruth was fined $50 for each baseball that he hit too far, which prompted Babe Ruth to tell officials that they needed to make the outfield bigger.

***Everyone knows that Tom will talk to anyone who’ll listen. Our son, Tim, captured a photo of Tom in the Hot Springs Gangster Museum***.

We’ve been to the Grateful Head in Hochatown (Oklahoma), near Broken Bow Lake, so we decided to try this one in Hot Springs. Teri, (our son) Tim & Tim’s fiance’, Missy, bought some Grateful Head shirts while we were there. Teri now has shirts from both Grateful Head locations.

Also offered at Catherine’s Landing is a wonderful swimming pool area along with fully stocked store and hang-out area in a beautifully decorated check-in/lobby. Golf cart rentals are offered. Firewood delivered to your camp spot is also a perk. They also offer zip-lining and other fun things to do on their property. There are a lot of level full hookup paved rv spots & plenty of room between the rvs. There are yurts on big decks, cabins and well cared for tent areas. If you stay there, follow their directions on their website, or call the office, because sometimes a GPS will lead you off of an exit and through a well shaded neighborhood with very low hanging branches that will, definately, cause scratches on your rig. Even after following their directions, there are a few low hanging branches along the suggested road that leads to Catherine’s Landing, but very managable to just take your time and avoid those few areas of low branches (not a big deal at all). Once you get to Catherine’s Landing, though, you’ll be at, probably, one of the finest resorts of it’s kind in this region, with so much open space and room.

On a previous early Fall weekend journey to this area, firewood was delivered to our Catherine’s Landing rv site, and Teri “The Fire Queen” starts the flame while an LSU football game is on the TV. Teri is wearing her “good luck” LSU cap.

L-R in the photo is “Ice Cream” & “Beer”. At the Catherine’s Landing pool area, Teri enjoyed some beer (from the region), while Tom enjoyed different ice cream treats, that we purchased on site. We did this every evening. We overheard one of the employees in the lobby say “Here comes Ice Cream & Beer”. We were once known as “Rum Runner & Ice Tea” by the servers at a hotel restaurant that we used to frequent in Jefferson, Texas, too.

**Crossing the road to continue on the wooded walking trail that surrounds Catherine’s Landing. Could Tom be mistaken for Bigfoot?**

We make time to enjoy a downtown Hot Springs dinner or two, as there are many restaurants and entertainment venues in the Historic Hot Springs area. We take our time and enjoy the stroll around the busy downtown area. We have been to some of the museums, Historic hotels, water parks, wineries and many other fun and interesting places in Hot Springs and the surrounding area. The Historic Hot Springs bath & spa houses are where the natural thermal waters are said to have healing properties. There are tours of some of those bath houses. Often, there are downtown festivals in Hot Springs along with other activities. We enjoy taking time to stroll through the beautiful Garvan Woodland Gardens – the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas, that is located near Hot Springs in the picturesque Ouachita Mountains of Southwest Arkansas

***Beautiful flowers and different types of trees, along with some interesting displays can be enjoyed in the Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Spri**ngs***.

Lake Catherine State Park is nearby, and we’ve enjoyed a ride and strolling the walking trails through that area. We’ve seen plenty of rv and tent camping spots at this state park, but haven’t stayed there…yet. The park’s information & check-in building has a lot of historical memorabilia along with items for sale.

Tom is contemplating crossing this stream at Lake Catherine State Park. He ends up grabbing a balancing stick first. Clear water is what we find at most of the Arkansas lakes & streams, especially in the Ouachita Mountains area.

Hot Springs National Park surrounds the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas, including much of the downtown area. For RVers, there is also the Gulpha Gorge Campground on the Hot Springs National Park website. More Hot Springs National Park info HERE

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We welcome you to check out some of the places that we enjoy exploring around the ArkLaTex region and… beyond the outer parameter. Visit our Journal page HERE
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You’re Trippin’ With Tom & Teri. Our location is a space in time. No matter where you go, there you are, and at the moment, We Are HERE.
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Tom shares some of our motorhome preparation, maintenance & projects…along with expecting the unexpected. Visit our Projects page HERE
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