The most interesting thing I’ve done as a Local Guide is adding vibrant photos to capture the experience of living in my hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
I live in a town where we thrive on welcoming visitors - Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas - a colorful and diverse resort town that is wrapped by the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, enveloped by natural hot springs and surrounded by the Diamond Lakes. Visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas, today, it’s hard to imagine the city as a hotbed for organized crime, such as gambling, prostitution and bootlegging. But from the late-1800s through the mid-1900s, especially in the 1930s, Hot Springs was a popular hangout for Al Capone, Frank Costello, Bugs Moran, Lucky Luciano, and other infamous mobsters. When Congress established the National Park Service, Hot Springs Reservation became Hot Springs National Park in 1921. Inside this history lies a treasure trove of opportunities for the single traveler or an entire family - so naturally I want to share those experiences the best way I can – through photos! – And what better place to display those photos than Google Maps.
Waking around downtown Hot Springs you are surrounded by the sounds of a typical small town, but to the eyes you are surrounded by history, wonder and the excitement of new shared experiences. One landmark instantly comes into view, even far away from the downtown area, and that’s the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
Another iconic landmark in Hot Springs is the Grand Promenade, situated above Bathhouse Row, this .4 mile promenade of bricks is the sight of many wedding and senior photo shoots. You are surrounded by green boxes that are the caps to most of the natural hot springs that flow to the surface from under East Mountain - there is even a trail system that you can hike up to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
Adding photos to Google Maps gives me an outlet not only to share extraordinary places, but to also express myself through my love for photography. I would not say I am the best photographer – I have lot to learn – but the experience of being in the midst of these places makes up for the photography mistakes.