Little Rock - Part 2

Greetings to all my faithful readers. If you don't have something more pressing to do, like polish the silver, then let me regale you with the day's undertakings. We are staying at a downtown Hampton Inn that is within walking distance to many of the attractions we want to see. The walking part is a good thing for us because we have been partaking of liberal amounts of consumable goods. The first on our checklist was the W.J. Clinton Presidential Center. This was about a half mile jaunt in beautiful 70 degree weather.

The Library was built in a depressed area next to the Arkansas River. Bill (Bubba to his friends) Clinton personally picked this spot in hopes of revitalizing the area. This proved to be the right choice as the river front has prospered. There are paths along the river, concert areas, and many older buildings which have been converted into new shops and restaurants.

Entrance of the W. J. Clinton Presidential Center

As we started our ramble through the hallowed halls of the Center we came across a room full of people sitting patiently in the 'Great Hall'. We asked a docent what was happening in the Great Hall, and she told us that it was a Naturalization Ceremony. There were 150 people that would become citizens today. This is a ceremony that occurs about four times a year in the Center.

The room was packed with the expectant citizens, and their families and friends.

There was an Honor Guard.

Governor Mike Bebee is in attendance (gray haired guy).

While security was busy with protecting the Governor from possible threats, I slipped into Bubba's actual chair that he used in the Cabinet Room of the White House during his Administration. The chair has a brass plaque on the back, and it is about 3 inches taller than any of the other chairs in the room.

Karen is not calling anyone. We rented a self-tour device that had Bill narrating the tour. There would be a number on the display, you punch in the number on the device and Bubba told you all about what you were looking at.

The Center had on display so many articles and objects from Clinton's presidency that it was hard to not photograph everything. This is a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture. I think it is his interpretation of a flocked Christmas tree. Whatever, it is gorgeous. Think I'll make one when I get back home!

This is an abandoned railway bridge right next to the Presidential Center. There is an old station on the opposite end of the Center. The station has been renovated and turned into the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. The bridge will be renovated, and a walking path will be made from the rail bed. It will extend from the school, cross in front of the Center, and over the bridge to North Little Rock.

We learned of this place when we stopped Thursday morning to get a map of Arkansas at a Visitors Center. It is the Heifer International Organization. A very worthwhile organization started in 1944. Check it out.

After lunch we traversed downtown to the west several miles (by car...we're not that gung-ho) to the State Capitol. Luckily we had a 3:30 tour scheduled (we're getting smarter) that meant all the grade school kids would be back on their buses heading home. The kids out front were having their photos taken. Their bus was just around the corner. We had our own private tour in a very quiet Capitol. It is an unpretentious building, as far as Capitols go.

It has beautiful marble floors and walls that are light-colored. This building did not have the stenciling, murals, and painting that we have seen in most other Capitols. It was constructed at a cost of $2.3 million between 1899 and 1915. We'll have to see where this fits on our list of Capitols.

We ate dinner at a place down the street from our hotel called Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro. A fairly popular place. We both had salads. Salads were very good. Forgot to take a photo. Karen is contemplating the White Wedding Cake dessert that we had just ordered. Only one piece to share. It is a speciality of Dizzy's and is was delicious.

The electric trolley rolled by about every ten minutes.

It services the downtown area and out to the Clinton Center.

Another shot of the trolley as we left the restaurant.

We high-tailed it back to our room and settled in for the night.

We decided earlier in the day to extend our visit in Little Rock for one more day. Tomorrow our peregrinations will take us to another historic state house, a revisitation to one we did not fully get through, and possibly the waterfront to walk across one of the longest pedestrian bridges.

On another note, one of our other family travelers, Bryan, has sent us this photo of him at the Bismarck, ND Capitol. He is in North Dakota with his girlfriend, Heidi. They are attending the wedding of Heidi's cousin. There was a little email banter with him, his sister, and us. Laura says it doesn't count as a mark on the checklist unless you tour the building. Bryan lamented that the Capitol had already closed. We will reserve judgement until all the facts are known. Have a great time in the Badlands, Bryan!

Til we meet again, I remain your "Presidential" correspondent.