Ron & Barb Quit Playing and go to work in Arkansas

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An Alternative Lifestyle--Living and Traveling
Full-time in a Recreational Vehicle

RON & BARB QUIT PLAYING And Go To Work In Arkansas
	*From The November 1990 Issue of Movin' On* Barb and Ron Hofmeister are not on vacation here in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They are each giving a minimum of 33 hours per week to the National Park as volunteers. When they first arrived the end of September, they were quite amazed at this little known park which is located within the city of Hot Springs. In fact, Hot Springs National Park is a large part of the city and the reason that the city grew. Ron at the visitor desk Barb beginning a tour The Hofmeisters arrived late on a Saturday afternoon and found their way to the visitor center which is the recently renovated Fordyce Bathhouse. Ranger Paul Sullivan greeted the new volunteers warmly and after a short visit, in which they learned their hours and duties, they left to spend the rest of the weekend getting acquainted with the town and learning about the park. Much of the weekend was spent in studying and they reported to work at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 2. The first week at work was spent learning. They took a half dozen ranger-led walks to the springs, toured all three floors of the bathhouse with tour guides, and began getting ready to lead those same tours. They learned about the springs, where the water comes from, where it goes, what it is like, how it has been used for healing, and what it is like to take a traditional thermal bath in Hot Springs. They even took a bath at one of the bathhouses to enable them to give first hand information to the visitors. Much of the time at the Fordyce is spent in behind-the-scene projects. Because of Ron's computer knowledge regarding a software program called Lotus, he has been formatting statistical reports for continued use by management. Barb keeps busy filing slides and reorganizing some of the research files. Barb's favorite part of the job is leading the Thermal Feature Tours. This tour which lasts about 45 minutes, takes the visitors to the two display springs and along the promenade which is behind bathhouse row. The tour ends at the beautiful cascade, a block from the Fordyce. "Everyone is so amazed that the water in the springs is 143 degrees and 4,000 years old," said Barbara. "It is very exciting to be able to help people understand why this area was and is so special, and to share some of the history; the visitors are very appreciative," she added. Barb also has two other favorite jobs. She spends several hours each day at the information desk, and works as a floating interpreter, answering questions about the bathhouse, its furnishings, bath procedures, and so on. Ron at work in the book store Barb at the display spring with her tour Ron also leads the Thermal Feature Tours, works on the information desk, and on weekends completely runs the bookstore and theater area. "Yes, it is different to set the alarm, make lunches and go to work five days a week again, but the rewards are the good feeling of helping the National Park Service and meeting interesting people," said Ron. Ron explained that their “weekend” (days off) is Thursday and Friday and going to work after a few days off is often difficult. "I hate Mondays, even when it is Saturday," he quipped. The visitor center is very busy at this time of the year with many senior citizens touring the area on their way south for the winter months. Fall is also a popular time because of the fall colors and that brings a large number of tourists from Texas and Louisiana. Things will slow down in November, and Barb and Ron hope to cut back to only three (four at the most) days a week. They want to have time to do some touring and hiking in the area. Barb and Ron are scheduled to volunteer until the first of December, but will leave a little early to drive their car to Michigan for Susie's wedding on December 1. They will leave the motorhome in the campground under the watchful eye of the National Park Rangers. Barb and Ron said that volunteering was something that they would like to do often. Barbara commented, "It is fun to be a part of a team and community for a while, but I will be ready to move on to new sights in December."

RON & BARB QUIT PLAYING
And Go To Work In Arkansas

From The November 1990 Issue of Movin' On

Barb and Ron Hofmeister are not on vacation here in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They are each giving a minimum of 33 hours per week to the National Park as volunteers.

When they first arrived the end of September, they were quite amazed at this little known park which is located within the city of Hot Springs. In fact, Hot Springs National Park is a large part of the city and the reason that the city grew.

Ron at the visitor desk Barb beginning a tour

The Hofmeisters arrived late on a Saturday afternoon and found their way to the visitor center which is the recently renovated Fordyce Bathhouse. Ranger Paul Sullivan greeted the new volunteers warmly and after a short visit, in which they learned their hours and duties, they left to spend the rest of the weekend getting acquainted with the town and learning about the park. Much of the weekend was spent in studying and they reported to work at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 2.

The first week at work was spent learning. They took a half dozen ranger-led walks to the springs, toured all three floors of the bathhouse with tour guides, and began getting ready to lead those same tours. They learned about the springs, where the water comes from, where it goes, what it is like, how it has been used for healing, and what it is like to take a traditional
thermal bath in Hot Springs. They even took a bath at one of the bathhouses to enable them to give first hand information to the visitors.

Much of the time at the Fordyce is spent in behind-the-scene projects. Because of Ron's computer knowledge regarding a software program called Lotus, he has been formatting statistical reports for continued use by management. Barb keeps busy filing slides and reorganizing some of the research files.

Barb's favorite part of the job is leading the Thermal Feature Tours. This tour which lasts about 45 minutes, takes the visitors to the two display springs and along the promenade which is behind bathhouse row. The tour ends at the beautiful cascade, a block from the Fordyce. "Everyone is so amazed that the water in the springs is 143 degrees and 4,000 years old," said Barbara. "It is very exciting to be able to help people understand why this area was and is so special, and to share some of the history; the visitors are very appreciative," she added. Barb also has two other favorite jobs. She spends several hours each day at the information desk, and works as a floating interpreter, answering questions about the bathhouse, its furnishings, bath procedures, and so on.

Ron at work in the book store Barb at the display spring with her tour

Ron also leads the Thermal Feature Tours, works on the information desk, and on weekends completely runs the bookstore and theater area. "Yes, it is different to set the alarm, make lunches and go to work five days a week again, but the rewards are the good feeling of helping the National Park Service and meeting interesting people," said Ron. Ron explained that their “weekend” (days off) is Thursday and Friday and going to work after a few days off is often difficult. "I hate Mondays, even when it is Saturday," he quipped.

The visitor center is very busy at this time of the year with many senior citizens touring the area on their way south for the winter months. Fall is also a popular time because of the fall colors and that brings a large number of tourists from Texas and Louisiana. Things will slow down in November, and Barb and Ron hope to cut back to only three (four at the most) days a week. They want to have time to do some touring and hiking in the area.

Barb and Ron are scheduled to volunteer until the first of December, but will leave a little early to drive their car to Michigan for Susie's wedding on December 1. They will leave the motorhome in the campground under the watchful eye of the National Park Rangers. Barb and Ron said that volunteering was something that they would like to do often. Barbara commented, "It is fun to be a part of a team and community for a while, but I will be ready to move on to new sights in December."