Little Rock, Arkansas - Day One

We arrived in Little Rock, AR last night after a long day of driving.  We stopped about an hour before to pick up "The best bar-be-Que in Arkansas".  This was according to the people at the Visitor's Center just after crossing the border from Tennessee into Arkansas.  We met a truck driver there who always calls ahead to place his order so he can pick it up - and it is always the fried catfish!  We opted for the pork and beef as we were not going to eat for a while.  No pictures of the food - but it will last us several days.

Now on to Little Rock.  We found some Fall color!

Trolley on tracks!

President Clinton Ave.

 The Old State House

They had an exhibition of Quilts made by Black Women.

Some period decorated rooms.

 Lovely stair cases.

And an exhibition of the Arkansas First Ladies gowns.

 They also had an exhibit of the gowns worn by various State Fair Queens, juniors, regulars and Mrs.  Not something I would expect in the Old State House.

We headed for the President Clinton Library -to have lunch with the largest Rotary club in Little Rock - Club # 99.  This meeting was a mixed event for us.  On the one hand it is so large that it was hard to get that welcoming feeling.  A sign on the front desk announced the fee for visitors for the lunch was $18.75.  When we went to the tiny club in Hattiesburg, MS they were happy to exchange club flags with us.  They had no clue about giving us a card saying we had attended a make-up club meeting.  But they paid for our meal.  In Little Rock, we had to pay for our own meal, they did not have a flag to exchange, but they did have a card that said we were at there club for a make-up meeting.  And the speaker for that session was the principal of Little Rock Central High School.  In her speech she spoke about how she incorporated the Little Rock Nine (from 1957) into the school.  She seems to have done a marvelous job as the numbers she mentioned about graduating seniors, etc.  were very good.  We did not do the museum there - as we were excited about all the views just outside the building.  The grounds for the Presidential Library and Park are quite extensive.  There is a bridge over the river.

Back from our walk across the bridge.

Now we walked into the park itself.  Some trees have turned color - but a lot are still green.

There is a wetlands park named after President Clinton.

 Then back to the main drag, President Clinton Ave. and onto the River Walk.  Mike had to leave early to go back to the hotel to take several business calls.  So I continued on.  There were two sections of sculpture gardens.  I took a few pictures - but it is hard to get the artists concepts across with photos with all the other stuff that is around.  I think you just have to enjoy it as you see it and go on.

Junction Bridge.  It is hard to tell from this photo.  But you have to walk up 4-5 stair cases to get to the section where you cross the bridge.  I saw some folks try to take the elevator - it was not working.  I decided it was just fine to take photos from ground level.
                                     

 By this time I really needed a bathroom  - so headed back to the hotel.  The eatery below is only two blocks from our hotel.