'Tis a great land in which we live, is it not? What better way to celebrate the Nation's birth by venturing to its heartland; the fascinating state of Arkansas. Land of mosquitoes, rice fields, paper mills, a president, Wal-Mart and many, many, many Sonic Drive-Thru, Arkansas is a state that I only ever visit while venturing to the other side of the Mississippi River to shop at the West Memphis Wal-Mart Lee, a good friend from work, who was born and bred in the town of Pine Bluff, suggested the Tour D'Arkansas last weekend and lacking any other plans for the [View Full Entry]

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The clackety-clack-crash-boom-bang roads started just west of Oklahoma City and lasted all the way to the Arkansas line. There were a few smooth areas, just enough to think you were finally past the rough stuff, then when you got relaxed, rattle-de-clatter, there you go again. I guess Oklahoma thinks it's all just OK. It was great getting into Arkansas with its green hills and trees, gas under $2/gal and smooth roads. We've stopped for the night in North Little Rock at the KOA, a beautiful, shady park. Tomorrow home! I'm throwing in some pictures from the last few weeks. And, yes, [View Full Entry]

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I have taken dwelling to Little Rock, Arkansas; "Little Rock"...the name synonymous with "delay'd-rotating-bike-tires-for-the-fun-of-making-friends-money-and-becoming-ever-content-with-the fact-of-staying-in-one-place." All is well here with Keith. Very well. Thoughts of where my life's tires are turning stand impenetrably in the mists of my mind. I know who I am, who I am becoming, and where I want my life to end up, forever moving, kickstand removed. Valuable wisdom paints my vision with pastels and sincerity. New music brings all the hues of my inner self into saturation. Relaxed, patient, [View Full Entry]

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Hard work and persistence is far better than instant satisfactions and simplifiers: To escape the terrible simplifies one must recognize the actual danger of the condition which they obtain their ascendance over the frustrated majority: for the condition these characteristics profess to correct is in fact a serious one. Instead of closing out eyes to its existence we must turn art and reason to effect a benign simplification, which will give back authority to the human person. Life belongs to the free-living and mobile creatures, not to the encrusted ones; and to restore the initiative to [View Full Entry]

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I would like to update you on what is taking place. Green open fields, bright-blue hazel sky, rice field’s rice field’s rice fields. Doctor visit for Russ, almost tore his knee muscle completely apart. We think it happened when he was riding on the left side of the highway (cheers to the English), pushing himself to get a mile in before an oncoming car came. We have slept under the most brilliant night skies where the Milky Way is shouting beauty into our eyes, managed some Arkansas winds, and have had some brief encounters with coyotes during the night. I feel [View Full Entry]

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On a Greyhounhd bus in Little Rock, Arkansas. Been on buses for the last 20 hours, and will be on them for another 10 until I reach Austin. At which point I expect to see ecstasy and exhaustion set in. And hunger. I've said goodbye to my brothers, parents, and the few friends who showed an interest in my leaving. I haven't had a glimpse of snow in hours. Amazing. [View Full Entry]

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After two days in Austin, we headed to Arkansas. The big event of the day, before arriving in Arkansas, was stopping at Roy T.'s Bakery. It was located off the highway in a quant little cottage full of many Texans. We met Roy T. himself, and were entertained by the Texans' excitement surrounding the availability of fresh pigs in a blanket. In addition to the Texans' excitement, Krystal was ecstatic that they carried, and emphasized the superiority of Mexican Coke, because she, too, has a strong love and admiration for the taste of Mexican Coke. After customer upon customer came in [View Full Entry]

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We had to leave the house pretty early my first day in Little Rock to go and see Daters’ grandparents. We packed up all of the family Christmas presents and set off for Hot Springs. We stopped at a small gas station where I grabbed a drink and some lovely homemade cookies. We went the back route to their house which was great because I got to see more of the countryside of Arkansas, it was pretty obvious why it is called the Natural State. We got to see some of the marshes and forests between Little Rock and Hot Springs. [View Full Entry]

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Sorry, sir, it looks like your flight will be delayed by at least half an hour. I have booked a backup flight from Houston for you just in case but it will put you in London at 9:30am instead of 7:00am. Thirty minutes after arriving at the Little Rock airport I received the first bad news of my trip. I asked the girl (at the Continental check-in gate) if she could give me the details of the alternate flight. She was wearing the typical airline uniform, but for some reason had decided to accessorize it with a big knit ski [View Full Entry]

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We finally got to Little Rock and had only lost half a day in Nashville. I am not a big city person, but found Little Rock was easy to get around and next morning on 9/23, we gathered ourselves to visit the William Jefferson Clinton Library and Museum. This was a required visit as one of Bets favorite prezs is little Willie Clinton. The building was ultra-modern and Bets remarked that it reminded her of a stainless steel sided double-wide. However I found the facility to be remarkable. The theme was a Bridge to the 21st Century and in this case [View Full Entry]

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