Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock is the capitol of Arkansas and the site of one of the pivotal moments of the integration movement when federal troops escorted nine black students into Central High back in 1957.  Today it is a thoroughly modern city, and we were surprised by how much we liked it.

From our RV park we walked across a bridge to the Bill Clinton Presidential Library.  We've been to several other such libraries, and while this one was perhaps the most architecturally interesting of the ones we've seen (LBJ, Reagan, Nixon, FDR), it didn't have nearly the emotional impact of the others, perhaps because there were fewer crises during his administration, perhaps because there was no theater showing the highlights of his eight years in office.

Most cities this size have an impressive restaurant scene, and Little Rock is no exception.  When we decide that it's time to go out for dinner, we spend some time reading internet reviews and try to pick the restaurant that sounds most interesting, and for Little Rock that was Brave New Restaurant.  Good choice, Wilsons.  Inventive menu and an excellent wine list heavy on California offerings.  Our favorite course was a wild mushroom tart with two sauces.

As we were enjoying our main courses, a dude in a red jumpsuit introduced himself as Peter Brave, the owner and chef.  Nancy asked where we would find the best shrimp locally for a dish we'd be making the following night, and he went into the kitchen and brought us a dozen shrimp, in consideration of which he asked us to tip our waiter an extra five bucks.  A lovely evening.

Driving around Little Rock, you'll see any number of wonderful buildings from the past.  We especially enjoyed the Old State House Museum.

On our last night in Little Rock, the temperature dropped into the twenties.  We're almost getting used to freezing our butts off, but going through the steps for departure - stowing the water hoses, sewer hoses, and electrical cables, plus hooking up our tow vehicle - requires working without warm gloves for an extended time and is murder on the fingers.  A wise person might head south for warmer climes, but we drove north - to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which may get even colder.