ARKANSAS IN THE FALL

 By

Minuet in G (MinnieG)

(a 1979 Argosy made by Airstream that thinks Arkansas is GRAND.)

ARKANSAS ADVENTURE #1

El Dorado

Airstream on the Square Rally

Sponsored by the Arkansas Razorback Airstream Club

and Main Street El Dorado

Theme...Broadway/Movies

There I am...

sitting pretty between some handsome silver beauties,

around the courthouse square.

It's so much fun to be the ONLY one like ME!!!

I do have to admit that those silver beauties

sparkle by the light of the silvery moon.

It seems like they may break into song any minute.

♬By the light of the silvery moon,

    I want to spoon

To my honey, I'll croon love's tune𝅘𝅥𝅯

Vannie and Dave only lived about 35 miles from El Dorado

when they were growing up in North Louisiana.
One thing that they both remember was the flying red horse.

A massive neon Pegasus seemed to keep watch over the city.

It was a symbol for the Mobil Oil Corporation.

Now, it watches over downtown El Dorado.

One of the activities during the rally was

cookie decorating.

Vannie had a blast.

She was very familiar with the process,

because her mom (Madge) made bushels of

decorated cookies to bring to Vannie's class in elementary school.

I think you know by now...Vannie and Dave are always

meeting up with friends or relatives wherever they land.

These are their cousins, Sue Ellen and Richard Hobart.

(Dave's side of the family)

V and D's broadway play/movie was

"Butterflies Are Free".

A 1969 play/1972 movie

PEACEOUT 

These are our friends from NTAC...North Texas Airstream Community.

Movie...1001 Dalmatians

Diane Bailey (dog)  Millie O'Donnell (Cruella) 

Visiting with Vannie's niece, Amy, and her husband, John

They drove up from Bernice, Louisiana to see us.

My niece, Lisa, enjoying the happenings. 
Lisa is Amy's sister...the baby of the family.  😁

The Newton House Museum was just off the square.

circa 1849...

V and D enjoyed getting a taste of the rich history of southern Arkansas.

It is located at 510 North Jackson in El Dorado.

Free and open to the public

"Look Unto the Land"

Dave spotted it as he and Vannie were

browsing through the books in Jefferson Street Books,

a delightful small bookstore around the square.

This book was written by Dave's cousin, George Rollie Adams.

V and D highly recommend "Look Unto the Land"...not just because we know the author,

but because its a darn good book.

Vannie and Dave cleaned up for the awards ceremony at the end of the rally.

The red carpet was rolled out in front of the Union County Courthouse

for all invited guests.  A delicious meal was served...and awards were 

given out.  V and D didn't get one, but they thanked God and their mom and dad

for their blessed lives. lol

ARKANSAS ADVENTURE #2

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a city in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas.

It is know for its naturally heated springs

and bathhouses from the 18 and 1900's.

Fall was bursting out all over.

One of my glamor shots

Lake Catherine State Park

Hot Springs had lots of up and down streets 

and interesting houses perched precariously on the side of the mountain.

Hot Springs National Park was established in 1921.

It is located in the middle of the city of Hot Springs.

Park Rangers give walking tours.

Vannie said learning about the springs, the park, and the city

was so interesting.

This is one of the natural springs.

There is a special kind of algae that forms here.

It's only found five other places on the earth. 

Bathhouse Row

8 bathhouses

Constructed between 1892 and 1923

Only 2 are in use at this time.

Fully submerge yourself in the thermal water and let your worries melt away.

Vannie and Dave did take one of the baths...

heavenly

relaxing

healing

no more worries

Ooh-la-la

ARKANSAS ADVENTURE #3

Little Rock

State Capitol

When V and D are close to a presidential library,

they try to check it out.

1st Floor...presidential limousine and 2 temporary galleries

2nd Floor...Orientation Theater, replica of the White House Cabinet Room, the Presidential timeline, and exhibits featuring the work of the Clinton administration. 

3rd Floor...Replica of the Oval Office, temporary Galleries, and exhibits about life in the White House

Drawings by elementary children

Hillary and Bill

A "Blue Dog" poster of Bill Clinton and Al Gore

created by George Rodrigue

Rodrigue is from New Iberia, LA.

He even visited Vannie's classroom many years ago.

It was a cold and rainy day.

Dave ordered the warm turnip green soup...

and it wasn't a disappointment.

How about this Christmas tree!!!

A gift to the Clinton's from the glass artist, Chihuly...

How in the heck did they move that thing??? 

ARKANSAS ADVENTURE #4

Bentonville/Rodgers

Bentonville is home of Walmart

Rodgers is home of more of Dave's cousins (they come out of the woodwork)

Beautiful mountain roads

Prairie Creek Campground

Rodgers, AR

Another glamor shot...

Sitting pretty among the fall foliage 

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Bentonville, AR

This is one of V and D's all-time favorite museums.

This was their second visit...and it was as wonderful as ever.

Their friend, Chihuly, created those glass balls..."Niijima Floats"...

as a water feature in the museum's upper pond.

Crystal Bridges was founded by philanthropist and arts patron, Alice Walton.

Alice is the only daughter of Walmart founder, Sam Walton.

The permanent collection of American art is always free to view.

There is a fee to view special exhibits.

Another Chihuly outdoor installation near the bridge on the Art Trail.
"Turquoise Reeds and Ozark Fiori"

Vannie fell in love with "Stella".

Stella was created in bronze by the artist, Andre Harvey.

Special Exhibit

Fashioning America:  Grit to Glamour

Cowboy boots to Hollywood gowns

The exhibition emphasizes the work of designers who immigrated to America.

"Abstraction: Kiowa by Design"

Artist, Teri Greeves

Native American beadwork artist

Beads on canvas high-heeled sneakers

In the Permanent Collection, Dave found this creation fascinating. 

"We The People"

Artist, Nari Ward

From Jamaica...now lives in NYC

Nari creates works of art from found objects from his neighborhood.

This creation was made from thousands of colorful shoelaces.

Anything can become a work of art...

"Native Son (Circus)"

Artist, Terry Adkins

Professor of Fine Arts in the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania

He based this arrangement of cymbals on a tortoise shell he owned.

These cymbals occasionally shimmer to life, generating random music.

"Tool Man Dave"

If you look carefully, you will notice the variety of tools that make up this sculpture.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Bachman-Wilson House

Classic Usonian architecture

"Usonian" came from an abbreviation of "United States of North America"

This house was created for an average middle-class American family.

It has a special connection between art, architecture, and nature.

Dave is was excited about this special tour.

A bucket List ✔

Daisy Airgun Museum

Vannie and Dave both had B-B guns made by Daisy.

A delightful "find" in Rodgers, AR.

War Eagle Mill

Rodgers

An old working gristmill...history tours, restaurant, gift shop...

Lots of stone ground organic flour, corn meal, and cereals...
If you are ever in the area, Vannie said this is a must stop.

Cousins

Benny and Regina Adams

Great visit...

V and D attended church with them and 

Regina fixed a yummy homecooked meal.

And they even brought back leftovers.

Now, that's a deal!!!

Time to hit the Road!!!

A short stop by a hay field...

Another Adventure in the Books

Peace and Love