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11/30/2018: We have left Dallas and left Texas altogether. Next stop is Little Rock, AR. Despite a semi-dreary and partly rainy day, I enjoyed the drive. Long sections of tree lined highways is not something we able to see in our tiny little corner of the world, so it’s nice to take that in.
11/30/2018: We have left Dallas and left Texas altogether. Next stop is Little Rock, AR. Despite a semi-dreary and partly rainy day, I enjoyed the drive. Long sections of tree lined highways is not something we able to see in our tiny little corner of the world, so it’s nice to take that in.
We managed to arrive at our campground with some daylight remaining and the first thing that we noticed was the crazy size of the leaves. Literally, bigger than Dylan’s face!
We managed to arrive at our campground with some daylight remaining and the first thing that we noticed was the crazy size of the leaves. Literally, bigger than Dylan’s face!
12/01/2018: Buffalo National River. This is part of the National Park System, but is a stand out due to the fact that it is the first river to become part of the National Park System. We had no idea that was even possible, but here it is. It was also quite a drive from our campground, but there was a prediction for rain and snow in the area for the next weekend and we really wanted to see this lovely place, so we just hopped in the car and make a day of it. Here we are working on Junior Ranger Badge #9!
12/01/2018: Buffalo National River. This is part of the National Park System, but is a stand out due to the fact that it is the first river to become part of the National Park System. We had no idea that was even possible, but here it is. It was also quite a drive from our campground, but there was a prediction for rain and snow in the area for the next weekend and we really wanted to see this lovely place, so we just hopped in the car and make a day of it. Here we are working on Junior Ranger Badge #9!
The entire area, for many miles around Little Rock, was hit with heavy, HEAVY rain and punishing wind the night before. It woke me up multiple times through the night, but here at the Park, the wind was especially bad. The road into the park was littered with tree branches and debris…..and lucky us, we were the first people to forge ahead from the trial head at the visitor center. It was a rough go of it and in many places I was carrying kids on my back because there was no other way. Here Dylan is standing a tree that had been blown down just hours before this picture was taken.
The entire area, for many miles around Little Rock, was hit with heavy, HEAVY rain and punishing wind the night before. It woke me up multiple times through the night, but here at the Park, the wind was especially bad. The road into the park was littered with tree branches and debris…..and lucky us, we were the first people to forge ahead from the trial head at the visitor center. It was a rough go of it and in many places I was carrying kids on my back because there was no other way. Here Dylan is standing a tree that had been blown down just hours before this picture was taken.
The “light at the end of the tunnel” on this hike is this overlook. Very nice place to stop and enjoy your surroundings.
The “light at the end of the tunnel” on this hike is this overlook. Very nice place to stop and enjoy your surroundings.
Playing in the fall leaves is not something that happens back home, so we’ll do it here!
Playing in the fall leaves is not something that happens back home, so we’ll do it here!
12/02/2018: We are in Downtown Little Rock and we’ve just parked the car and are walking towards the Museum of Discovery. Wouldn’t you know it, there is a big metal sculpture of a rabbit…..and now is the time that I tell you that Grace LOOOOOOOVES bunnys! I thought I was going to have to physically remove her from this thing!
12/02/2018: We are in Downtown Little Rock and we’ve just parked the car and are walking towards the Museum of Discovery. Wouldn’t you know it, there is a big metal sculpture of a rabbit…..and now is the time that I tell you that Grace LOOOOOOOVES bunnys! I thought I was going to have to physically remove her from this thing!
The Museum of Discovery was a great experience. Lots of well thought out, hands on, learning experiences that were tons of fun. I did NOT get a lot of pictures though. Here Grace is learning about how pulleys can make lifting stuff anywhere from easier to REALLY easy depending on the number of times it goes through the pulley.
The Museum of Discovery was a great experience. Lots of well thought out, hands on, learning experiences that were tons of fun. I did NOT get a lot of pictures though. Here Grace is learning about how pulleys can make lifting stuff anywhere from easier to REALLY easy depending on the number of times it goes through the pulley.
This was a funny one; 3M donated a bazillion rolls of packing tape and they built an elevated tunnel system completely out of packing tape. Literally, no other support medium or structure. It was quite the network of tunnels and there were kids running, crawling, wrestling and jumping all over the place it didn’t look like any part of it was going to give up. Amazing!
This was a funny one; 3M donated a bazillion rolls of packing tape and they built an elevated tunnel system completely out of packing tape. Literally, no other support medium or structure. It was quite the network of tunnels and there were kids running, crawling, wrestling and jumping all over the place it didn’t look like any part of it was going to give up. Amazing!
Grant got an amazing amount of enjoyment out of this experiment to make electricity with a wind turbine. You have to choose from an assortment of blades and orient them as best as you can for efficient use of the wind.
Grant got an amazing amount of enjoyment out of this experiment to make electricity with a wind turbine. You have to choose from an assortment of blades and orient them as best as you can for efficient use of the wind.
12/07/2018: This was a different kind of experience for all of us. This is Little Rock Central High School and it’s both a National Park and a fully functioning high school with 2,500 students. Also, if the Park Ranger is to be believed, it represents Ground Zero for the civil rights movement. To put some context around that, MLK’s “I have a dream” speech was in 1963 and this place saw its historical moment in 1957. It was also interesting for me because I knew virtually nothing about it. Here I am, only one generation removed from this pivotal moment, and I never learned about this place in any text book in any school that I went to!
12/07/2018: This was a different kind of experience for all of us. This is Little Rock Central High School and it’s both a National Park and a fully functioning high school with 2,500 students. Also, if the Park Ranger is to be believed, it represents Ground Zero for the civil rights movement. To put some context around that, MLK’s “I have a dream” speech was in 1963 and this place saw its historical moment in 1957. It was also interesting for me because I knew virtually nothing about it. Here I am, only one generation removed from this pivotal moment, and I never learned about this place in any text book in any school that I went to!
Anyway, you can only enter school with a park ranger and the ranger starts with how the events in 1957 unfolded, what happened and what the fallout was as a result all before you actually enter the school. It was an interesting experience for sure and our ranger was a Little Rock native and took his job and this tour VERY seriously. Our kids heard words that they had never heard before, I assure you of that! Not a lot of pictures taken on this day because it was C_O_L_D and we were outside most of the time and you’re not allowed to take pictures once you’re inside the school itself.
Anyway, you can only enter school with a park ranger and the ranger starts with how the events in 1957 unfolded, what happened and what the fallout was as a result all before you actually enter the school. It was an interesting experience for sure and our ranger was a Little Rock native and took his job and this tour VERY seriously. Our kids heard words that they had never heard before, I assure you of that! Not a lot of pictures taken on this day because it was C_O_L_D and we were outside most of the time and you’re not allowed to take pictures once you’re inside the school itself.
If you strip away all the history of the place and all the negativity that made it famous, it is genuinely a beautiful structure. It is magnificent to look at from any angle.
If you strip away all the history of the place and all the negativity that made it famous, it is genuinely a beautiful structure. It is magnificent to look at from any angle.
I told you that Dylan was working on his photo bombing skills!
I told you that Dylan was working on his photo bombing skills!
Working on Junior Ranger Badge #10.
Working on Junior Ranger Badge #10.
12/09/2018: Petit Jean State Park…..make no mistake, it’s pronounced “Petty Jean” and you need to remember that if you plan to visit…..and I HIGHLY suggest you visit this park if you are in the area. It was not on our list of places to see while we were in town, but so many people we talked to in the area suggested it, that we had to see what the fuss was about. It did not disappoint! We REALLY messed up and left late in the day, so we didn’t have a ton of time here, but what we did see was just amazing.
12/09/2018: Petit Jean State Park…..make no mistake, it’s pronounced “Petty Jean” and you need to remember that if you plan to visit…..and I HIGHLY suggest you visit this park if you are in the area. It was not on our list of places to see while we were in town, but so many people we talked to in the area suggested it, that we had to see what the fuss was about. It did not disappoint! We REALLY messed up and left late in the day, so we didn’t have a ton of time here, but what we did see was just amazing.
Huge cave that supposedly had 2,000 year old Indian artwork in it…but we couldn’t find it.
Huge cave that supposedly had 2,000 year old Indian artwork in it…but we couldn’t find it.
….and we finally found a place that welcomed the dog!
….and we finally found a place that welcomed the dog!
There a two overlooks along the drive that allow for some pretty amazing views of the area and Grace had ACTUAL binoculars for this time!
There a two overlooks along the drive that allow for some pretty amazing views of the area and Grace had ACTUAL binoculars for this time!
At one of the overlooks stop, there is this artwork installation that’s supposed to be a “Portal” into a view of the area. Dylan and Grace just interpreted it as playground equipment.
At one of the overlooks stop, there is this artwork installation that’s supposed to be a “Portal” into a view of the area. Dylan and Grace just interpreted it as playground equipment.
This wasn’t my idea, I promise!!!!
This wasn’t my idea, I promise!!!!
Turns out that a lot of these State Parks have a 14 day maximum that you are allowed to stay. So, this was our last day that we were at Maumelle State Park outside Little Rock. It was cold, overcast and rainy…..
Turns out that a lot of these State Parks have a 14 day maximum that you are allowed to stay. So, this was our last day that we were at Maumelle State Park outside Little Rock. It was cold, overcast and rainy…..
We packed up camp and moved to Ouachita (pronounced Wash-i-Taw) State Park.
We packed up camp and moved to Ouachita (pronounced Wash-i-Taw) State Park.
12/15/2018: The main reason for the move was to locate us closer to 2 things on our list; Crater of Diamonds State Park and Hot Springs National Park. So, day 1 and we are off to Crater of Diamonds. I really didn’t know what to expect from this place. In my mind, I assumed this was much like any other Park and there would be Rangers and Guidance and stuff like that. Nope! There is a visitor center with lots of history of the area and the park, but VERY self-guided. There is some video guidance as to how to hunt for Diamonds, but not much else. After that, it’s a giant patch of dirt where anybody go to find Diamonds. They also claim that it’s the only place on Earth where anybody can simply go Diamond hunting without permits, mineral rights, or owning the land itself.
12/15/2018: The main reason for the move was to locate us closer to 2 things on our list; Crater of Diamonds State Park and Hot Springs National Park. So, day 1 and we are off to Crater of Diamonds. I really didn’t know what to expect from this place. In my mind, I assumed this was much like any other Park and there would be Rangers and Guidance and stuff like that. Nope! There is a visitor center with lots of history of the area and the park, but VERY self-guided. There is some video guidance as to how to hunt for Diamonds, but not much else. After that, it’s a giant patch of dirt where anybody go to find Diamonds. They also claim that it’s the only place on Earth where anybody can simply go Diamond hunting without permits, mineral rights, or owning the land itself.
Here’s what to expect if you ever find yourself there: Imagine any casino that you’ve ever been to in your life. You are going to see the people that are there to have fun. You are going to see the people who have never been there before and have little clue what’s going on. Then, you are going to see all the people that are hoping to “hit it big” and probably have been hoping to hit it big for quite some time. Now, take that last category of people I just mentioned and replace the slot machine with a shovel and a bucket in their hands and rubber boots on their feet. Make sense now? :-)
Here’s what to expect if you ever find yourself there: Imagine any casino that you’ve ever been to in your life. You are going to see the people that are there to have fun. You are going to see the people who have never been there before and have little clue what’s going on. Then, you are going to see all the people that are hoping to “hit it big” and probably have been hoping to hit it big for quite some time. Now, take that last category of people I just mentioned and replace the slot machine with a shovel and a bucket in their hands and rubber boots on their feet. Make sense now? :-)
It was a chilly day and the water was even colder…..and yes, I am wearing a tee shirt.
It was a chilly day and the water was even colder…..and yes, I am wearing a tee shirt.
All in all it was fun and we all learned quite a bit more than I thought we would. We mainly learned that we are very, VERY good at finding very, VERY small rocks and not much else.
All in all it was fun and we all learned quite a bit more than I thought we would. We mainly learned that we are very, VERY good at finding very, VERY small rocks and not much else.
There is an upside to getting out of bed before the sun comes up. Sometimes you get to see stuff like this....
There is an upside to getting out of bed before the sun comes up. Sometimes you get to see stuff like this....
12/16/2018 Hot Springs National Park. After visiting this place, Val and I found ourselves talking about the fact that we have always had this impression that National Parks were “Parks” in the strictest sense. Simply put, they are outdoors. More and more, we find ourselves in National Parks, but at the same time we are INSDIE. Such is the case with Hot Springs National Park…..well, mostly.
12/16/2018 Hot Springs National Park. After visiting this place, Val and I found ourselves talking about the fact that we have always had this impression that National Parks were “Parks” in the strictest sense. Simply put, they are outdoors. More and more, we find ourselves in National Parks, but at the same time we are INSDIE. Such is the case with Hot Springs National Park…..well, mostly.
I really enjoyed visiting this place. It appealed to my inner mechanical nature as well as being quite beautiful
I really enjoyed visiting this place. It appealed to my inner mechanical nature as well as being quite beautiful
The center piece of the main bath house is this stained glass piece……..
The center piece of the main bath house is this stained glass piece……..
Which lives above this statue of Hernando de Soto……
Which lives above this statue of Hernando de Soto……
Like I said, it’s mostly indoors, but there is lots of stuff to see and take in around the bath houses (yes, plural).
Like I said, it’s mostly indoors, but there is lots of stuff to see and take in around the bath houses (yes, plural).
12/18/2018 So, you’re on a hike in your favorite state park….
12/18/2018 So, you’re on a hike in your favorite state park….
…make sure you look DOWN every once and a while!!!!!
…make sure you look DOWN every once and a while!!!!!
Oh yeah, that’s something you’ll NEVER see where we come from! LOVE it!
Oh yeah, that’s something you’ll NEVER see where we come from! LOVE it!
12/19/2018 We’ve discovered a ranger led boat tour/Bald Eagle spotting tour of the lake.
12/19/2018 We’ve discovered a ranger led boat tour/Bald Eagle spotting tour of the lake.
They even let the kids take a turn at the wheel!
They even let the kids take a turn at the wheel!
12/21/2018: This was to be our last day in Arkansas. I’m not going to say that we fell in love with Arkansas, but it was a BIG surprise how much we liked it. I would welcome another visit to this state any time! We were the ONLY campers in this magnificent State Park for MANY days!
12/21/2018: This was to be our last day in Arkansas. I’m not going to say that we fell in love with Arkansas, but it was a BIG surprise how much we liked it. I would welcome another visit to this state any time! We were the ONLY campers in this magnificent State Park for MANY days!
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