Trip to Little Rock Fri

Arkansas State Capital

Marble construction inside the capital


Clinton Presidential Center Presidential gift display

Front of Clinton Presidential Center

Today we drove (173 mi) from Branson to Little Rock Ar. We traveled down hwy 65 and this went through one town that claimed it was the heart of the Ozarks. It was easy to believe that statement. The road is quite curvy and hilly. You climb up a large hill to coast down another and repeat the process. This drive would be much more picturesque later when the trees have leaves. Every where you can see is hills covered with trees. They are still in winter garb and only the evergreens (about 5% of the population) are showing green at this time. There are several little houses along the road. From the condition of the buildings it is hard to tell for the most part if someone is living in them. It seems that they must not ever have a large item garbage pick up day in this area. Many of the houses had their front yards cluttered with stuff that must have been accumulating for several years. Front porches were magnets for "stuff". I doubt if this area has broad band connections either. Reminded me of the movie Deliverance.

In Little Rock we first visited the Clinton Presidential Center. Then we drove to the Arkansas State Capital and walked around in that building. I have never seen so much marble in one place. I cannot imagine how they made all the pieces fit together when they build the capital. It was built between 1899 and 1915. Maybe the 16 years of constructin answers my question.

After reviewing that and waiting for all the emergency trucks to clear the area we went down to the Arkansas Museum of Discovery. This building was the first capital of Arkansas (sometimes refered to as Old State House) and now has been made into the Museum of Arkansas. Nancy was interested in the dresses from all the governor's wives and I visited with a guard about what he refereed to as a "hangin judge" from around 1872. They had pictures of 6 bad guys that this judge took out in one day. Apparently lots of money was not spend on appeals.

Tonight we are tucked away in Little Rock and tomorrow will drive (307 mi) to Arlington Tx (between Dallas and Fort Worth Tx).

I get a kick out of everyone referring to "ya'all" do this or that around here. I am sure as soon as we say a word we blow our cover that we are not locals.