I have just completed a whirlwind tour through some of America’s reddest states so to speak. But I have to say – it was a great trip. A project that I am working on at work required me to do some work at both the Little Rock and Paducah airports so I connected the two assignments…
On Wednesday night, I landed in Little Rock and added Arkansas to my list of states visited in the Union. My former co-worker Pam (seen at the following
blog), now lives in Conway
(and as she said when I asked if it was a suburb of Little Rock –she replied “Um, 25 miles out of the city is way different that in DC) and we met for dinner at a great place called Loco Luna, which was dubbed an “Bold new Arkansas Bistro”.
Better than a luke warm Montana Meeting Place – those can be a real downer. The food and conversation was great and then it was back to the Doubletree. What I first realized about the Midwest was that the rivers out here are gigunda. Like seriously wide.
(Also note, the Jordan River in Israel is very very thin and about 4 feet deep in parts – yes, I walked on the Jordan River, well in it). The Arkansas River is quite a big river and I gazed across it into North Little Rock – or as Pam called it, The Heights.
Yesterday afternoon, I decided to take a couple of hours before starting my drive to Paducah, Kentucky with a brief tour of Little Rock with Pam that included The State Capitol
(Come on people, who doesn’t know I love State Capitols!) and I wanted to see Little Rock Central High School, site of one the boldest moments of the American Civil Rights movement. Very neat! But, the best part of the afternoon was the President Clinton Library and Park in downtown Little Rock.
For anyone reading this blog, I tell thee “Get Ye to a Presidential Library!”
By the way, did everyone know Presidential Libraries are a division of the National Archives? The place was just incredible. As a registered Democrat I was just in awe of the place but in fact I am quite interested in seeing other Presidential Libraries – not just Democrats…But seriously, the whole time I was reading about Clinton’s views on Civil Rights, the Environment, International Relations, Education, the Economy, etc – I just kept thinking
“What on gods green earth are they going to put in President George W. Bush’s Library?” I guess if Gerald Ford gets one, then so does W.
I also realized that I wished I was older during the Clinton years since I feel like I understand our country’s political world so much more now. The Clinton library had so many great exhibits and personal memorabilia that I ended up taking about 100 pictures – oops. Pam and I had a great time reading everything and as I wrapped up my time at the Library, I realized it was a quintessential Washington, DC type activity that can only be done outside of Washington – in the President’s home state. So there you have it – if you have time to stop in Little Rock, it is just amazing. The Clinton Library is also becoming a major tourist attraction – the number of visitors have exceed all expectations 10-fold and people come from all over the world to this place. How ironic in one of America’s Reddest states we have this monument to a True-Blue human being.
And yes, everyone has their own views of Clinton but to me, he was a great President and I do believe that in years to come, he will be remembered as one of the best as well. Ok, enough about Little Rock, now it was time to hit the road and start my 315 mile journey from Arkansas to Paducah, Kentucky.
The drive on I-40 East, I-55 North and US 60 East was quite an experience. Driving through America’s Southern Heartland was awesome I have to say. I had my iPod which definitely helped with the music situation. I did notice some very interesting things along my journey:
There are trucks everywhere in the Midwest. I guess every interstate is a major truck artery – overall, good driving across the board. But boy, that must be so boring – I hope they have good tunes as well.
- I drove over my first bayou, St. James Bayou – It was super exciting. I started to sing Blue Bayou but since I decided to keep the full rendition for a future trip to Louisiana.
- So I always thought there were a lot of McDonalds in the U.S. but after this drive, I definitely know it! At least every 3 exits it seemed like. I partook in some dinner there in the metropolis of Blytheville, Arkansas.
- Missouri is crazy with their Road Names – they had roads named after letters – Route J, Route H, Route U – that was whack if you ask me – I laughed to myself when I passed a sign that said upcoming Junction between “J” and “JJ”. Maybe when I am stuck in a future game of Scrabble I will throw some letters down and say “Wait, I thought we were included Missouri Highway names?”
- People, there is a town in Missouri called Cooter. Enough said.
So last night I entered Paducah, Kentucky and found my hotel perfectly. Then today after my airport stop, I headed down to Nashville, Tennessee for my flight home to Washington. As I then drove down I-24, I realized that between the previous days journey and today’s, there is so much to enjoy on drives like these – especially if you love History like I do.
- I am now a Confluence-ophile. Maybe its because Pittsburgh has always played a strong role in my life? When Rivers come together it is super cool. Yesterday I drove over the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Holy long bridges and today I saw where the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers both come into the Ohio at the same place.
- By seeing at of the agriculture of the Missouri and Arkansas regions, I realize that Napoleon Bonaparte may possibly have been the biggest idiot in the history of the world. Remember, he sold the US the Louisiana Purchase (all lands drained by the Mississippi and Missouri rivers so that France could concentrate on Haiti) Smooth move Bonaparte – Hows that working out for you France? Addition - Poppa Norman has already noted that Napoleon and France also needed more money for the war against Britain... But isn't my version better?
- It was neat to drive through the region with the Tenneessee Valley Authority, which was one of the many elements of FDRs New Deal to get this country back on its feet. Pretty awesome.
- And a shout out to another President – this time Eisenhower. Many of you think that I just love airports – but I love subways and highways too – anything to do with transportation. Eisenhower’s vision of a National Interstate Highway System is just awesome. And for the most part, it’s very easy to use. Subtract Pennsylvania and New Jersey Turnpikes.
Well now my journey is over. Make sure you check out my pictures on Flickr (CLICK HERE)
