PINNACLE MOUNTAIN TRAIL…LITTLE ROCK, AK

Friday, August 12 – Still nonstop doctor appointments, luncheons and visiting. We are gone so much, we have forgotten what our motorhome looks like.

The weather has been beautiful. Actually this morning it was a bit chilly…52. We haven't seen that number since January.

While doing some cleaning the other day, we found a piece of wire. We placed it by the MH until we had time to put it away. We weren't sure what we would use it for but Bella helped us out with that problem. Marsha walked out the door and found this…

We guess Bella thought it was her new cage…LOL

FLASHBACK – July 4 – While we were in Little Rock, we had a great hike at Pinnacle Mountain. Pinnacle Mountain is a day-use park dedicated to environmental education, outdoor recreation, and preservation. The park encompasses 2,000 acres. The park's dominant natural feature is Pinnacle Mountain, which rises more than a thousand feet above the Arkansas River Valley. Besides hiking trails, this park also offers mountain bike trails.

There are ten different trails. We hiked a couple others but really enjoyed this trail.

Length: 2 miles
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

The trailhead starts at the Arkansas River overlook in the upper parking lot at the visitor center. The 2-mile loop enters a heavily forested valley after leaving the old rock quarry area.

The views were breath taking.

The trail was sometimes very rocky.

Sometimes it was smooth sailing.

One of the many over looks.

We had a very hot day, but the hike was a great way to enjoy the day. It is another one of the great places to see when visiting Little Rock.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

 

MARCH OF THE PEABODY DUCKS

Tuesday, July 5 – We're winding down our stay at Maumelle Corp of Engineering Park and the city of Little Rock. One sightseeing adventure we missed when downtown the other day was the Duck March at the Peabody Hotel. So this morning we headed to the Peabody to see the 11:00 morning march of the ducks from their upstairs room, down the elevator and into the fountain in the hotel lobby.

The twice-daily March of The Peabody Ducks has continued in unbroken sequence since the tradition began in Memphis almost 70 years ago, at The Peabody Memphis and at The Peabody Orlando, since November 1, 1986.

Being a little early for the show, we went up to their suite. It's a glass enclosed greenhouse type structure on the second floor balcony, equipped with a couple pools and a water spray mister.

Royal Peabody Duck Palace.

Each morning, promptly at 11 am, the hotel's lobby is the scene of a remarkable ritual. The Peabody Little Rock Ducks leave their Royal Peabody Duck Palace, and arrive at a location in the lobby, where a crimson carpet has been laid out on the gleaming marble floor, leading to the marble fountain which was specially created for them. Three carpeted steps are in place.

The crimson carpet for the arrival of Peabody Little Rock Ducks.


From the elevator.

The carpet must be just right before the "March" begins.

The ducks are accompanied by their Duck Master, who is clad in scarlet-and-gold trimmed jacket, and carries a brass head duck cane.

Then, John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March fills the air, the The Peabody Little Rock Ducks march on their red carpet, climb three carpeted steps and dive into the fountain waters. They preen and play here all day, occasionally taking a little nap, and at precisely 5 pm, the march is reversed back to the duck palace, where a dinner of hand-shredded Romaine lettuce, grated (not chopped) carrots, live worm meals and Peabody Duck Trail Mix, awaits them for an evening of quiet repose.

March of The Peabody Ducks…drumroll please.

As you can see from the photos above, this is a very popular stop. The kids were a hoot to watch. The "March" happens pretty fast, so have your camera ready.

This evening we had our friends, Marc and Joyce, over for dinner of….HOT DOGS.

They arrived in the campground just this afternoon. This isn't there first stop at the Park. They are very "seasoned" full timers. We met the couple in Livingston. Marc has shared so many interesting places with Paul. He is our "personal tour guide."  Glad you two could make the BIG dinner. Enjoy your next stop.

We very surprised when these guests showed up.

They quacked at us a few times. When we didn't give them a hot dog, they waddled away.

We are on the road tomorrow for Red Bay, Alabama, and the Tiffin Company. We will share more on our visit to Little Rock in future blogs. This town is a wonderful stop!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

THE WHEELS GO ROUND AND ROUND

Monday, July 4 – Another beautiful day in the wilds of Arkansas. We enjoyed the day relaxing in the park, reading, working on hobbies, and cooking steaks on the grill. The typical 4^th of July in America!

BIKE TRAIL UPDATE: We went on another bike ride today. We went a couple miles down the road to Two Rivers Park. A 1000-acre tract co-owned by the City of Little Rock and Pulaski County at the intersection of the Arkansas and Little Maumelle Rivers. The city-owned area includes approximately 450 acres of mostly wooded wetlands area, and the county-owned area includes approximately 550 acres of open fields.

What a surprise too! After riding down the trail about a mile and a half we came to another bridge crossing the river.

This bridge is still under construction but when completed this trail will meet with the Big Dam Bridge Trail. As a matter of fact, we could see the Big Bridge down river. WOW! This is going to be an AMAZING trail when complete. It has to be one of the nicer trails in the nation.

There is the Garden Center which county residents can rent garden tracts. About 300 residents take advantage of the gardening opportunities.

We saw a herd/group of deer feeding in the field along the trail. Marsha was able to get pretty close before they took off.

Another amazing adventure in this lovely state of Arkansas.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Saturday, July 4 – On Tuesday, we biked the Dam Big Bridge Trail.

This bridge across the Arkansas dam is the longest bridge in the USA built specifically for a walking/biking trail.

Looking up the ramp.

Looking across the bridge.

At the top. What a beautiful view.

Looking down.

Paul crossing the bridge.

Marsha was a little hesitant to cross this bridge on her bike....she isn't crazy about bridges anyway! But she did great with no whining.

It joins over 15 miles of trails along both sides of the river. Very amazing and a great trail to bike, hike, or jog…no cars permitted.

Pretty bridge we rode over.

Looking up at the bridge.

We didn't ride the entire trail in the nearly hundred degree heat but got a nice workout and enjoyed seeing all the people using the trail.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

THE CALL OF THE WILD

July 2  - Staying in a National/State Park or COE is soooo different than staying in the typical campground. It's so relaxing, so peaceful, so inviting. 

If you opt for a site that is all shade, you get all shade…but so lovely!


The song birds singing in the morning and the crickets chirping in the evening. The waves lapping on shore.

Paul looking at the water.
 

How wonderful to take a morning walk, an evening bike ride, or sit around a campfire (even if it's a little warm for a fire). Relax in your chair and read a book or work on your favorite hobby.


This is the lifestyle one envisions when choosing to live the nomad life on an RV'er. It's fun to see the cities and the tourist attractions, but it's this “call of the wild” I find so attractive.

The Arkansas River.

 
View from a site looking at the water.


The sites by the water have a HUGE backyard.


They have tons of picnic shelter and pavilions here.


For our friends Sandie and Jim, Where Are The Dixons…you should be here with the boat. Here is how we envision Jim.












 



OR…You two could be fishing from one of these.

We have a few friends that entertain Bella from time to time.


Check back later........we're going hiking, biking, fishing, walking, napping.............

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

OLD STATE HOUSE & CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

Friday, July 1 - We visit the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum this morning. The building is designed like a bridge. This symbolizes Clinton's bridge from the 19th century to the 20th century.

The archival and museum holdings are the largest within the Presidential Library System. Included are approximately 7,6l8 million pages of paper documents, 1.85 million photographs and over 75,000 artifacts.

The museum includes replicas of the Oval Office

His deck is beautiful.

and the Cabinet Room.

After viewing the introductory film, we stopped in the first floor lobby, to see the Presidential limousine used during the Clinton administration. GM build three of these which took approximately three years.

Then to the second floor Cabinet Room and the Timeline viewing area, as well as Alcove Exhibits. Key events and highlights of the Clinton administration are presented on a timeline, with videos, daily schedules, interactive stations and printed information.

Arranged on either side of the main gallery are multimedia exhibits where visitors can explore a wide variety of topics. Each alcove focuses on a significant policy area.

On the third floor is the Oval Office as well as displays featuring state events and gifts presented to the President. Gifts presented to Presidents become property of the American People. It's amazing to see what foreign dignitaries give to the President.

Razorback Hog

Juggler seat…what?

They even had a display of some of his saxophones.

This was Marsha's favorite. This was the White House Millennium celebration tree. It is called the Crystal Tree of Light.

The amount of information presented is overwhelming. It would take days to read all the displays, watch all the videos, and look at all the memorabilia presented in the museum and library.

We rode the free shuttle bus downtown, rather than driving and having to search for parking. We stopped in the Clinton Museum Store, pasted by dozens of interesting restaurants, walked down to the Market Area and the Riverwalk.

There is a park in the area also.

We spent about an hour in the Old State House.

Constructed in 1833, this National Historic Landmark is the oldest standing state capitol building west of the Mississippi River. Known throughout Arkansas for is elegance and historical significance, the Old State House gained worldwide recognition when it was used as the setting for President Bill Clinton's election-night celebrations in 1992 and 1996.

Beautiful staircase.

House of Representatives. Sure looks different in the new Capitol. More on that later.

Ladies piano room…really? Dig the hat on the table.

Formal sitting room.

They had a wonderful collection of Arkansas's First Ladies' Gowns.

They did a great job in displaying the history of the Capitol, and the best part…admission is FREE!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!