Little Rock. . .and the Arkansas State House

Here we are. . .one more State Capital checked off the list. . .

I was totally intrigued that Tiffany’s of New York

designed the doors and the chandeliers for the building. . .

they were just as beautiful as I anticipated them being.

In all of my research on Little Rock the fact kept arising about

the six bridges spanning the Arkansas River. . .

the bridges hold such significance that the

Clinton Presidential Library is designed to look like a bridge. . .

although I was interested in seeing the raccoon prints inside,

where evidently raccoons had a party during construction. . .

I didn’t really want to pay $7 each to do so. . .

I know lots of folks love museums and such. . .

but it’s just really not my thing. . .

so we did not tour the Presidential Library. . .

nor the Old State House Museum. . .

I’m sure both are fascinating. . .

and if you enjoy that sort of thing,

you should check them out.

We did pay a visit to the Farmer’s Market at

the Little Rock River Market. . .forgot to get a pic

but came away with Arkansas tomatoes, fresh squash,

homemade peanut and pecan brittle. . .they were delicious. . .

and a cantaloupe.  I really wanted a watermelon. . .

but the logistics of carrying it back to the Jeep

did away with that notion.

 

We rode the trolley all around town. . .one of our favorite things to do. . .

Central High School

After reading RV’ing friends Margery and Paul’s account of Central High School
on their blog. . .and doing some further research  I knew I wanted to see the

place where such a historic event in our history took place. . .

but unlike Paul and Margery. . .I simply could not bring myself

to go through the visitor’s center

. . .

just reading the account online of what the Little Rock Nine endured

and to read each of their testamonials at the State House

almost brings me to tears. . .and makes me feel sick to my stomach. . .

I knew going through the visitor center would make me very, very upset. . .

I honor those brave young men and women for their strength in the face of adversity!

The Old Mill

Our last stop for the day was The Old Mill. . .

featured in a famous movie you may have heard of. . .

Gone With The Wind

Faux Bois (fake wood) sculpture created by Senor Dionicio Rodriguez

the artist in me was completely intrigued by the

fake wood sculptures surrounding the mill. . .

I will be looking for more of this artist’s work as we travel. . .

Our plan for today was to visit Pinnacle Mountain where I had read

that the views from the top were fabulous. . .

but given the 95* heat

we decided to forego any further outside activities. . .

leave a day early, and drive halfway to St Louis.. .

my only regret in leaving early is that Margery and Paul had

described the Whole Hog Café’s offerings so vividly. . .

I really wanted to try it. . .I guess that will hafta wait. . .

We have safely arrived at our midway point for the day.

I am really, really loving travel in the motor home. . .

Dave is so glad. . .I was such a bad traveler with the truck. . .

needing to stop all the time for this or that. . .now I can just go

back and get whatever it is I am wanting at the moment. . .

Dave calls me the wanderer. . .I love it!

Til next time,

Janice

Full Time RV Travel–Trinidad Colorado–Trinidad Lake State Park–Carpios Cove Hiking Trail

What a beautiful place Trinidad Lake State Park has turned out to be. . .

a little pricey at $33 per night by the time they add in all the fees. . .

but for full hook ups and a great location. . .we’ll take it.

Last night I did one of those fancy dancy hikes. . .where there’s a sidewalk all the way around. . .

with nifty little placards telling you what everything is. . .above is the beautiful view of

Fisher’s Peak overlooking Trinidad Lake. . .which as you can probably tell. . .

is suffering from the severe drought Colorado is experiencing. . .

Another interesting stop on my hike. . .

A Horno (pronounced oar-no) outdoor oven. . .made from clay and used by

Native Americans in past culture. . .

Also visible from my hike was the Spanish Peaks. . .located about 20 miles away.

I’m sure you’ll be seeing them again. . .as I just know the sun setting behind them

will be absolutely breathtaking. . .I’m heading over there shortly for the experience.

 

Today. . .about two o’clock. . .not sure what I was thinking?  I decided we should

go hike the Carpios Cove Trail. . .it’s only 1/2 a mile right. . .no problem. . .

and Dave was dumb enough to go along. . .LOL. . .

more beautiful views of Fisher’s Peak. . .

Originally, five mining towns were located in the valley where Trinidad Lake is now. . .

and mine tailings are still visible in the area. . .here is a not so beautiful view of one of those.

We’re having a great time. . .I’ve lost 12 pounds this summer

just by hiking and walking. . .so I need to keep that up. . .

Lots more to see and do here in Trinidad. . .so stay tuned!

Janice

Full Time RV Travel–Rocky Mountain National Park with the Grandaughter

Catching up on the blog. . .

it’s hard to believe it’s only been a month since we did this gorgeous hike. . .

Not really being an outdoor, nature girl,

we were concerned about taking Bree

hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. . .

She seemed to love every minute of it. . .

hiking with her Pa. . .

hiking with me. . .

Enjoying the view. . .

Posing for pics. . .

crossing the river. . .

the REWARD. . .

more pics: Alberta Falls Album

It was a glorious hike. . .so worth it!

Full Time RV Travel–a visit from the Grand

We offered all the grands a trip to Colorado to visit. . .

but, due to work schedules, sports schedules, and camp schedules,

(it’s crazy how busy these kiddos are,)

only one, our oldest grandaughter, Breaunna,

was able to take us up on the offer. . .so we picked her up at the airport on Saturday. 

This was her first solo flight. . .and even with four delays she did beautifully. . .so proud!

Since getting out in a tourist area on the weekends is not usually a great idea. . .

we took it easy on Sunday. . .and started Breaunna’s sightseeing adventures on Monday. . .

First, a picnic lunch at a beautiful sculpture park in Loveland,

Benson Sculpture Park is an amazing place. . .

we only saw a small fraction of the sculptures. 

Art Castings of Colorado is located in Loveland,

so sculpting is a huge part of the local economy,

which is obvious everywhere in the city. 

Being an artist, I loved it all. . .and so did Bree!

She asked me to teach her to paint. . .ha ha. . .no small task mind you. . .

but we spent lots of time “painting” when she was little and I had a workshop.

I would hang a long roll of paper out on the fence. . .

pull an old t shirt on over her clothes. . .and she would go to town. 

She got really good at the Donna Dewberry style painting. . .

I’ll be getting all those tapes back out,

so she and I can practice while we are in Texas.

My favorite. . .

More beautiful pics of our grand and the sculptures at
Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland Colorado

.