Chapter 12: Arkansas

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September 16—Another NOMAD project under my belt, I take off to discover Arkansas. I stopped for the night at a camp site at the Buffalo National River. This river, located in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas, was designated a national river by Congress in 1972. The residents of the area petitioned that to happen to avoid having the river dammed by the Corps of Engineers. It's preservation as a “natural” river has enhanced the area as a wildlife refuge and preserved many prehistoric native American sites as well as 18^th century farm buildings. The buffalo which originally roamed the area and after which the river is named, were hunted out long ago. I don't know how many other national rivers there are in the U.S., but the Buffalo is certainly worth a visit. It is an area favorite for kayaking and rafting due to its varied flow and different shorelines.

September 17--My next stop was at Little Rock and the Clinton Library. I find the Presidential Libraries not only interesting, but very informative. I have always loved history and touring the Libraries is a fascinating way to get hands on feel not only of the background of the particular presidents involved, but U.S. and world history at the time of those presidents.

The Clinton Library is very modern in every sense of the word. It almost seemed sterile to me. Almost everything was behind glass and presented in a carefully cataloged fashion. There were some exceptions, which I definitely noted in photos, but by and large I felt “distanced” from the displays and the person-hood of this president. I always knew I was in a museum. Unlike the libraries of Hoover, Johnson and Truman, this one had no “life”. Very difficult to explain. That is not to say the Library was not impressive, however. The location on the bank of the Arkansas River is lovely. The views from the glass walls inside overlooked not only the river, but downtown Little Rock and were beautiful. From the outside, though, the building, which is supposed to be an architectural wonder, just looked like a big box car to me.

There was very little about Hilary Clinton, which was a disappointment to me. I find her a fascinating person and plan to learn more about her. Indeed, I didn't find much of anything about the Clintons as persons. I liked replica of the Oval Office—always one of my favorite parts of a Presidential Library. Visitors could view it from several directions and easily see everything on display there. The other thing I liked best was the display of some of the Christmas decorations used at the White House and some of the gifts given to the Clintons while they were in the White House.

I had lunch at the Library Cafe which overlooked the river. It was nice, but since I can't remember what I ate, I guess I can't say it was a memorable experience. The gift shop for the Library is located in a downtown area several blocks from the Library itself. Since there was a art and craft festival in that area, I couldn't find a parking place, even a driving place for the RV. I was disappointed. Now the Clinton Library is the only Presidential Library I have visited that I don't have a pin for! I guess I will have to order one on line.

The drive from Little Rock to historic Hot Springs is a short one. Now, Hot Springs is definitely my kind of town! The whole town is designated a National Park. It is set in the rolling hills of the outskirts of the Ouachita Mountains. (That is pronounced “Wash-i-ta”.) Many of the buildings were built as ornate hotels and bath houses in the early 1900's. The hot springs, of course, were visited by many for rest, relaxation and healing. They still are.

The buildings are gorgeous. Yes, I got pictures—of course! The Park headquarters are located in one of the earliest bath houses and visitors can tour the old-fashioned bath areas. The equipment used at the turn of the 20^th century looked like torture machines!The stained glass windows, though, are still there, as well as the the inner atrium gardens. These reminded me that these places were once luxurious places for the rich and famous. Today several of the other bathhouses are still operating and available for the “poor folk” (like me) to enjoy. I scheduled an afternoon bath at one. I did enjoy the bath, but was a bit disappointed that the surroundings were in modern décor. The bathing tub looked just like a bathtub in any home. I had to be reassured I was really soaking in mineral water because it didn't smell like sulphur or rotten eggs! I missed that. I feel that the mineral waters work better when they stink! (I know that it's psychological, but all you readers know I'm a little neurotic anyway. By the way, if I use a muscle cream, I want to smell the camphor and menthol, too!)

I also got a massage after the bath. I felt great after all that! It didn't hurt my feelings at all that the massage therapist was a nice looking young male. He blushed when I told him that the young ladies downstairs at the baths called him “eye candy.”

After the bath and massage, I walked around the town a little, looking at all the artsy-craftsy and antique shop windows. I explored the many fountains all around. Some of them were hot. I got tickled at some of the kids that would keep putting their hands in and jerking them out!

Next, I visited the Crater of Diamonds State Park just about an hour from Hot Springs. I'll bet a lot of you out there didn't know there is a diamond mine in Arkansas! It is a large open field located near Murfreesboro, AK. The state employees plow the field every so often to turn up a new layer of dirt for people to look through. I spent a couple of hours on my knees in a hot sun looking for my diamond, but no luck. I found some interesting rocks, including a couple of poor grade agates, but no diamond. It was a good experience, though and I could cross another item off my bucket list!

I dry camped at a Wal-mart that night ready to drive on to Dallas the next day.

September 20-October 5—I spent this time parked at my niece Danette's house. My sister Joyce and her husband Dan left for Hawaii on Oct. 1. I was scheduled to leave to join them on the 5^th. In the meantime, I puttered around getting ready to go. Danette and I went to a birthday party for my great-great nephew Reese just before I left. I arranged for Bootsie to stay with my other niece while I was in Hawaii.

Bootsie—I like my temporary digs. I get lots of attention. Another cat lives here. Her name is Gracie. She normally hisses and spits at me, but I don't pay a lot of attention. This

The Oval Office

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This is the replica of the Oval Office when Clinton was president.

house has an upstairs and I love running up and down the stairs. There are two windows upstairs that have big sills I can lay on and watch what is going on outdoors. Since the windows are tree high, I can really see the squirrels playing and jumping around. The back door downstairs is all glass, so I can sit in front of it and watch birds and squirrels on the ground. Ward and Tarena also feed some feral cats at that door. They come at the same time every day, so I know when to watch for them. I talk to them a lot! Sometimes they answer me! This is a pretty cool place, so I don't mind Marty being gone too much.

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