Whew, a busy day and just great stuff. Crossed the river to Fort Smith, AR where the fort is a national park. It began to protect white settlers from Indians fighting each other, used by the Confederacy and then Union soliders. Was on the path of the Trail of Tears. Excellent exhibit and accounts by Indians whose ancestors were among the few that made it. One man said, if they really wanted to relocate us, they would not have made us walk, they would have fed us and given us water. In other words, it was really genocide. Just horrible.
But the fort is most famous for Judge Parker and his deputy marshalls who brought back hundreds of criminals for trial. The fort became a federal court for the territory to manage all of the criminals who fled to Indian country because the Indians who already had their own laws, etc were not allowed to capture or try whites. Deputies went after them. Parker was the hanging judge. Hang Em High Clint Eastwood movie was based on him. The jail exhibits are great, with the gallows, courtroom, etc. to see too. Really enjoyed it and spent a lot of time there. Great videos on the history and the deputy marshalls. See picture of courtroom. I am really proud of our national parks. They are all so well done. I learn so much.
Also stopped at the only bordello that is a registered historic landmark in the city part of Fort Smith. Some very wealthy man in the area saved it and restored it. See picture. They really know nothing about the madam who owned it. The guide said these women came, made their money, and left. The guide gave me a copy of the health certificate that each "lady" had to have. Paid $5 for it and posted it above her bed. We were not allowed on the second floor to see the bedrooms because -- there were only 2 volunteers and they told us they are too old to go up and down the stairs. Jack wanted to say why don't one of you stay up there and one of you stay down here, but didn't.
Back then, a customer paid the madam $3 for a token. Each "lady" turned in her tokens for $1 a piece. Averaging $400/month. Cowboy made $40/month. Which explains why the madams were rich I guess. The daughter of Belle Starr (who was in prison at Ft Smith) called herself Pearl Starr. Her bordello down the street was also famous because she was among the first to use a neon sign - a big red star with pearls all around it.
Then a beautiful ride up I-540. Gorgeous rolling hills and green farm valleys. And we went through a tunnel. Don't know when was the last time I did that. Stopped in Fayetteville at famous AQ chicken restaurant. Very good. Lots of hubbub on the news and in the paper because Walmart shareholders are in town for their annual meeting. Ben Stiller is master of ceremonies with all of these celebrities appearing like Michael Jordan and the new American idol who is from Arkansas.
Bentonville, the home store of what became Wal-Mart is an adjoining town almost so went there. See picture. Also interesting stuff about how Sam Walton got started, his 10 points for success, etc. Had an exhibit of famous things returned. One was a thermos bottle that was manufactured 8 years before Wal-Mart even existed but they took it back. Another was one of those outside round thermometers. It was returned because it didn't keep good time. TeeHee.
Then onto our campsite which is high above beautiful, beautiful Beaver Lake. This terrible narrow, windy road to get here. When I got here, I said to the guy, "I bet no one has ever mentioned what a curvy road it is to get here." He said, "We call it the Clinton Highway. It's crooked, hillary, and has a yellow stripe down the middle." Uh oh. I said to Jack we need to be careful with that remark and a confederate flag on every other rv. Our necks may not look red enough for this crowd. But nice camp, breezy, and we are hoping to get a lot of work done tomorrow - a camp day. Need to rest after today, too. Did a lot. Walked down to the deck overlooking the lake and saw an eagle in flight. Wow.
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