Arkansas

Arkansas

Arkansas felt sort of like  Tennessee's little sister rich in country charm but missing the bits of glamour and flash. Lovely rolling hills dotted with beautiful towns echoed a simple and wholesome lifestyle. I have to admit that I expected Arkansas to feel plain and a little bit backwater, but driving through I didn't get that sense at all. Little Rock is a sophisticated city but it has an easy going air about it … [Read more...]

Arkansas State Capitol Building (Little Rock)

Arkansas State Capitol Building (Little Rock)

A trip to Little Rock would not be complete without a visit to the State Capitol Building. When we arrived at the stately building there was a protest about health care going on right in front. We headed in past the crowd gathered on the lawn, and walked around inside. The rotunda was kind of plain and there wasn't much to see in the way of artifacts or artwork with the exception of the stained glass state seal, but … [Read more...]

The Clinton Presidential Library (Little Rock)

Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama

The Clinton Presidential Library has the most extensive collection of material and artifacts that we have seen in any presidential library that we have been to so far. Bill Clinton raised a fortune for this library, and it shows in the beautiful presentations and the recreations of the cabinet rooms and the oval office. Being able to walk through and sit at the Presidential desk or the table gave all of us a real … [Read more...]

Little Rock High School National Historic Site Visitor Center (Little Rock)

Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama

The kids and I were amazed to see that Little Rock High School still functions as a regular High School especially since its place in history was cemented when the National Guard had to escort 9 African American students onto the campus so they could attend classes when segregation was ruled unconstitutional. This was one of the battlefields where the war for civil rights was waged—and won. Right around the … [Read more...]

Crater of Diamonds State Park (Murfreesboro)

Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama

As you may have already figured out, my crew cannot get enough of treasure hunting and so you can imagine, digging for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park is all anyone could talk about leading up to the trip.  For some reason, this particular area holds a treasure trove of diamonds and on an average between 2 and 5 are found daily.  The area is plowed twice daily in the hopes that the diamonds will come … [Read more...]

Itinerary #10: Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama

Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama

Wow, I can’t believe we are already up to trip #10. This trip entailed exploring the deep South with all its charms and eccentricities. I did not expect how lush and beautiful Tennessee would be (and I can see why it has inspired so many country songs). Simply gorgeous! In fact, all of these states were uniquely beautiful and offered important lessons to be learned. Civil rights played a very important theme, from … [Read more...]