March 1, 2018 - Little Rock Arkansas

Today we traveled down from Millington, TN where we have been staying, through Memphis to Little Rock.  Because the rain has continued, the flooding has become more extensive.  I would guess that at least half the 140 mile distance at least on one side of the road, was flooded back into the crop fields and into the woods as far as we could see from the road.

We started by doing a tour of the Capitol in Little Rock. The building was finished in 1915 at a cost of around 2 million. In the process, all the needed land for the building, and the associated state agencies was procured.  The Capitol was easily, and quickly reached from the interstate system.  Getting off the exit and going through only one stoplight, you were there in about a minute, however, parking and a short walk added a bit more.

 Inside, under the rotunda, there was a team taking last day applications to run for the available seats in the house and senate.  The work sessions for legislators will open on March 5th with the goal of coming up with a budget.

 Among the usual  state bird, tree, etc, they came up with the State Historic Cooking Vessel.  The Lodge Dutch Oven

 Governot William Jefferson Clinton looked very young in office.  He was the Governor from 1979 to 1981, and again from 1983 to 1992.

 Outside is a Memorial to the The Little Rock Nine who were a group of nine African American students enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Their enrollment was followed by the Little Rock Crisis, in which the students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by Orval Faubus, the Governor of Arkansas.  They eventually entered school, under the protection of the 101st Airborne, ordered by President Eisenhower.

 The front of the Capitol

The members of the Little Rock Nine were presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton.

 Although the High School is still in use in its 61st year since desegregation, there is a Historic Site Visitor Center diagonally across the intersection of the streets.

 A view of a portion of the high school from across the street.  3:50 p.m. and school is out for the day.

 The front of the main building from the street.

It was a great opportunity to see such a historic place.

February 28, 2018 - Memphis

Tuesday we rode down to Millington, TN where we slowed down for a day.  The Tour of the National Quilt Museum from the day before just wore us out.  We drove by a several places where the water is quite high and several fields along the way that are flat, looked like lakes.

Flood water all the way back to the furthest wood line.

 Because of the moist ground, the telephone poles grow taller here.

 Arriving in Memphis today we decided to visit the National Civil Rights Museum.  Although we had visited before we wanted to see the changes, and there were quite a few.  The outside of the Lorraine portion of the hotel has remained the same.

 

  Part of the remains of the Freedom Riders Bus.  Freedom Riders

 James Earl Ray was finally captured 2 months later.  He pleaded guilty to avoid the death sentence.

 Walking in Memphis  (on Beale Street.)  Walking in Memphis song

 Grammie, outside the Fedex Forum.

 We already had a really convenient parking spot, but no tickets for tonight's game.  

The Memphis Grzziles vs the Phoenix Suns

We visited the Rock and Soul Museum, right next to the Forum. It has a wonderful collection of memorabilia from the early Soul music era.  You get a set of headphones and a control device where you can put in a number and listen to information,  or a song from the artist.  It's entertaining watching people move to the music. About the only place you will find these Jukeboxes are either in Museums or in a private collection.

 There was a high energy middle school group that had arrived in Memphis for a 2 day tour of the city.

Sam the Sham's motorcycle.

 Tom was trying to let Grammie know where he wanted to have an evening meal.  When we got there, we discovered that the school group was ahead of us in a long line.  BB Kings it was.

You know who you are.  Grammie looks sad.

Beale street is blocked off to vehicle transportation. This street became busy about an hour later around dinnertime.

These guys got around.  On a different trip, we saw them sitting on a bench on Rock Island.

Thanks for keeping a lookout for Grammie.

February 26, 2018 - Paducah

Today we left Ft Campbell and headed for Paducah, KY.  We decided to take a little tour along the way and headed more west first to see the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.  It is located west of Ft Campbell and is between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake.  It is a popular spot for tourists in the summer season however it was quiet today. 

 One of the popular attractions is the Elk and Bison Prairie.  The area is fenced in, covering about 700 acres.

 A closeup of one of the Bison.  

 Daffodils already popping up through the snow.

 Grammie finally got to the National Quilt Museum.  They don't allow pictures in the Museum.

 The Ohio is quickly approaching Flood stage and expected to peak on Wednesday.  The floodgates have already been installed and will protect the city up to 49 feet.  Whether the city will flood is iffy right now. We will be gone early on Tuesday heading towards Memphis, however more rain is expected. 

 Grammie had a good day.  So didn't Tom.  With all the new fabric, Tom has some golf credits built up.
Tomorrow, we are headed towards Memphis.