THE ARKANSAS TRAVELERS

Deb on the bridge over the Arkansas River in Little Rock

We have now passed the 1000 mile mark!  At first we thought Arkansas would be a “stop and drop” and we would blow across the state quickly, but we researched a website entitled “Must Sees in Arkansas and decided to stop in Little Rock and Bentonville.  Both places provided great places to use our Segways!

In Little Rock they have a great linear park along the Arkansas River.  We parked at the Clinton Library and enjoyed rolling along the river.  We toured Heifer International.  Some of you have received Christmas gifts from us from the Heifer Society and their international headquarters is next to the Clinton Library.  Their philosophy is to end hunger by providing a cow instead of a cup of milk.  When animals are given, they always give a pregnant heifer and the recipient is required to give the first born female to a neighbor so that the gift keeps on going.  They are also involved in sustainable farming, education, fair trade practices and health education.  The visitor’s center was very well done and some of you may receive more cows or goats as gifts!  Little Rock was similar to Memphis in that it appeared to have a healthy bar scene, but the recession had left many empty store fronts…We guess the booze is the last go!

We did a “stop and drop” in Russleville at an RV Park that was fairly stark, but served its purpose and then we headed off to Bentonville to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  It was started by Sam Walton’s widow (of Walmart).  The buildings and trails were amazing.  First we had to park over a mile away, but the trails through the woods to get there were perfect for the Segways!  The museum is a series of buildings down in a ravine that are architecturally amazing, using lots of wood, glass and copper.  The museum is set up chronologically beginning with Colonial artists through contemporary art.  We could have spent more time there and really enjoyed each collection.  In the 20^th Century building they had several Norman Rockwells, including Rosie the Riveter.  She is modeled after Michelangelo’s Isaiah on the Sistine Chapel.  Who knew?  

Can you find the woman and man drinking wine here?

The countryside driving through the Ozark’s was really pretty.  We were reminded of West Virginia, an extremely poor state with amazing natural resources and beauty!

On to Oklahoma!  (though we dipped into Missouri for just a few miles!)

Deb and Dave with "yard art" at Crystal Bridges'