The next holiday is
***Memorial Day***
Hope everyone has a safe and restful holiday!
Here in Little Rock, we celebrate almost every holiday with Pops on the River and sometimes, fireworks, which can be viewed from North Shore Riverwalk (758-1424) or experienced in the Riverfront Park (378-3571). The Arkansas River and the 'Little Rock (Petite Roche) have long been a meeting and trading point. It's part of the genis loci, so it's natural for us to celebrate here.
Little Rock's 'Sister City', North Little Rock celebrates a number of festivals and is now the home of the USS RAZORBACK, the "longest serving submarine in the world" (see NLR Bulletin Board of Information), the only submarine flying the flags of the United States and Turkey, and combat insignias for both WWII and Vietnam. She will form the cornerstone of the Inland Maritime Museum and will be joined by the USS Hoga, (she and her crew fought the fires of the Pearl Harbor Attack on Dec. 7, 1941 and helped save the USS Nevada). The Delta Queen Steamboat has a berth at North River Landing. The Arkansas Territorial Restoration, located in downtown Little Rock, has a great intrepretive program (4:30pm 324-9351). If you're interested in what's going on in Little Rock, check this link.
Memorial Day's annual celebration, Riverfest, is definately worth attending. Unless you are taking to the woods, canoeing, 'tubing' or just enjoying this beautiful state. Looking for some 'white water'? Check out the the Spring River, which runs near Hardy, AR or the Cossatot River (meaning "Skull Crusher"). Arkansas has the "...nation's first federally-protected stream and one of America's great natural treasures, the Buffalo River, meanders through the Ozarks for almost 150 miles before joining the White River. Canoe outfitters can be found at almost every access point..." Key: have fun!!
If you're in gear for some exploration, check out the geology of Arkansas at the Arkansas State Geological Commission, and an associated agency.
On a more serious note, though, Arkansas is one of the top 6 states with the highest loss of timber. And, no, we don't replant on the same scale. Unfortunately, Little Rock has also been cited as one of the top 5 cities with the highest urban sprawl...I had great hopes for the Donaghey Project for Urban Studies and Design, my original major and area of independent study...wonder how we compare to the Earth First!ers? Pretty tame, I imagine!
To celebrate Halloween, here are some gifs and jellypigs. Check out the "Recipes"...
