About 50 miles to Little Rock and able to check into rv camp early. Good because Jack had conference call hearing at 11 EST. Camp is brand new so facilities and landscaping is wanting but it sure is convenient. Right on the Arkansas River with Clinton Library directly across it. See picture. We are technically in North Little Rock.
Decided to rent a car. Although it is not that big a city, way too much walking to even get to the trolley etc. and we knew we wanted to focus on museums which are plenty of walking once you get inside. Also, late start today and wanted to make up some time. First stop was Art Museum restaurant called First Impressions. Service slow but food good. Jack had PLT sandwich and lobster bisque and I had salad with pancetta which is the P in PLT. It is pork jowels that Jack is so crazy about. Museum is free but we didn't go into galleries because we got a late start.
Right next door is Douglas McArthur Museum which is in old arsenal built in Civil War. He was born here when his father was stationed at the army base here. It's pretty good museum but a little disjointed as it moved from one war to another and McArthur stuff seemed to be scattered about rather than all in one gallery - partly because he served across WWI, WWII, and Korean Wars. Disjointed but interesting. Special secton on Arkansas medal of honor recipients and other heros.
Then on to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. It is new museum that was dedicated last year. It's right across from the high school which still includes 2000 students. See picture. It is such a great museum. Lots and lots of audiovisual, personal accounts of the 9 students that integrated the school and others at Central High as well as Mike Wallace who covered the events in person. It was one of the first televised live incidents in the US in 1957. Exhibits on civil rights for other groups too. Closed at 4:30 and we could have used at least another 1/2 hour. Jack and I both like to listen to the true life story stuff. Cannot believe what they endured to go to school. Did not know that other students from 2 black schools were given the opportunity to integrate and these 9 were the only ones willing to take on the challenge. They were encouraged by local secretary of NAACP. One of the 9 was expelled for fighting back and there were 10 but one backed out the first day.
Had dinner in a pricey place but service and food was very good. Enough leftovers for another meal at least. It was in the Riverwalk section of Little Rock which we can also see from the rv camp. Noted a lot of of old sections with Victorian houses as we drove around today. Seems like a nice enough place. Tallahassee-like. Guy at rental car place says it is boring here.
Finally got organized with renting DVDs from Red Box at Walmart or Walgreens. Found out they are much better on computer than our DVD player and we got extra speakers for computer which also helps. Watched Frost/Nixon last night. Excellent. Finally have TV service for the first time in what seems like a long time tonight.
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