John,
Unfortunately,thanks to Ward, I will henceforth not be able to
associate Arkansas with anything other than Pirates...
Well, it's more associated (in sports) with the Razorback hog.
They can be as angry as pirates, and they will come after you if
you provoke them.
Of course, some may include the Clintons in the pirates deal. <G>
Ironically, whether one loves or loathes the Clintons, the Clinton Presidential Library just east of downtown Little Rock, has been a
boon to the central Arkansas tourism industry. I personally have
never been there...never mind rumors of "an adult section with
Monica Lewinsky's dress"...and one "coming clean". <G>
The Clinton School Of Public Service is located in the former Rock
Island Railroad Passenger Depot...with the former railroad bridge
over the Arkansas River converted into a pedestrian bridge...just
like the former Missouri Pacific Junction Bridge in what's now
Riverfront Park. The former Missouri Pacific Baring Cross Bridge
is the only bridge that still carries train traffic (Amtrak and
freight) across the Arkansas River.
Before the Rock Island Depot was converted for use to the Clinton Presidential Library, it was a "Spaghetti Warehouse" restaurant.
There was even a special private railroad car on the former Rock
Island trackage, for rental by private groups...and the inside of
the restaurant had a ton of railroad memorabilia on display. Now,
there is a partial track for the River Rail Trolley system, that
serves areas of downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock.
The other bridges that cross the Arkansas River at Little Rock
are for vehicles...Interstate 430 on the west side of town,
Interstate 440 on the southeast side of town...Interstate 30
through downtown (the latter getting major construction done on it
at this time)...plus the Main Street and Broadway bridges. With
the speed demons on the interstate highways, I prefer to go through
town, when I have to go to North Little Rock. But, if there's an
event like a bike, walking, or running event, where portions of
the downtown streets are closed off, I either have to take the
interstate, delay the trip, or not go at all that day.
Daryl
... Warning: Dates in calendar are closer than they appear.
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