This is the second blog about the people and places I love in the Spa City.
Stubby's BBQ,delicious. Yes I adore the smoked chicken and ribs. Alex, my husband, loves the beans, but there's more.
It's Chris, the owner, I really really love. I've known him since he was in his early 20's, so handsome, running Stubby's when it was on Park Avenue.
I was a single mom so I had to take Mary and Jack, who were 4 and 5 at the time, into businesses when I was selling ads for The Springs Magazine. I'd just moved back to Hot Springs and started The Springs. Chris was a handsome young man and one of the first to say, "ok, I'll buy an ad."
Four year old Mary developed a huge crush on Chris and Jack thought he was a cool dude. For Christmas they painted Jackson Pollack styled light switch covers for Stubby's. He was so sweet he actually used them in the bathrooms.
Thirty five years later, everyday, on my way to work, I drive past Stubby's on Central across from Oaklawn And I feel better about the entire planet
I like knowing Chris, who is a grown ass man now, is in there, keeping the fires burning and the smoker hot. If I need him, I believe he'll be there. He'll be there for anyone.
The perfect example, when I had a friend freshly released from prison, Chris was the only person in town I could find who was willing to give him a shot and a job. It worked out just fine.
Stubby's, has really really good bbq and an owner that makes me proud to be a human. Thank you Chris.
The other place that truly helps my soul in Hot Springs is Gulpha Gorge Campground in Hot Springs National Park. It's a tiny park, smushed between Grand and Park Avenue. But it's my heaven. I love the sound of water swooshing over the stones, I love crossing the creek, carefully stepping on each big rock, while the water just keeps on whoooshing past. I love the lovely arched, crescent moon bridge, framing the lovely creek.
There's a deep hole at the Gorge, probably 4 feet deep. In the summer, when we were broke and the kids were little, they thought it was our personal swimming pool. We'd spend hours in the summer, squatting in the creek, catching crawdads then letting them go. And when it got too hot we'd just lie down in the creek and let the cold water swallow our bodies. I owe the Gorge everything for giving us dozens of summer days full of love and adventure. Our kids didn't know we were poor or broke or struggling. They only knew love and fun because of the Gorge.
If you go to Gulpha Gorge and follow the trail up to Goat Rock there's a beautiful view. Or the same trail can take you over Hot Springs Mountain and you'll land in downtown Hot Springs.
Gulpha Gorge is a hidden and wonderous place. Tourists are always delighted when they discover the Gorge and their kids suddenly get off their phones to splash in the creek. Locals forget how magical it is.
Sometimes, on hot days, you'll find me with a lawn chair in the middle of the creek, reading a cheap novel and thanking Hot Springs National Park and the good Lord for Gulpha Gorge.
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