What a change today! In one day we dropped 5000 feet in elevation, from 7000 feet in Santa Fe to just under 2000 in Elk City, Oklahoma. And we also went from the nice, dry 10-20% humidity to about 55% here right now. This is not really humid - but compared to what we had gotten used to in Arizona and New Mexico it smacked us in the face as we stepped out of the car.
Today and tomorrow are driving days as we make our way back east. Tomorrow we expect to reach Little Rock, Arkansas, where we will go to the William J Clinton Library and Museum.
Monday
As we reach the eastern edge of Oklahoma, we realize that everything is green! When we came this way on Route 40 about a month ago, everything was brown and about to be planted. Today the fields are brilliant green, or in some cases yellow with rapeseed (canola). It looks like a totally different place. There are cattle everywhere (including lots of calves) and even a few bison.
Going farther east into Arkansas, we suddenly realize that we can no longer see the expansive landscape that we had gotten used to because there are trees on either side of the road. It isn't quite like New England, but now we understand the comments that people from the Southwest make about feeling closed in when they reached the Northeast. We don't feel that way, but it is a startling difference in just a short stretch of road.
We are staying in Little Rock at the Peabody Hotel, which bills itself as the only "4 star, 4 diamond, and 5 duck" hotel. They have a fountain in the lobby in which the ducks splash during the day. Every afternoon at 5 PM the ducks march out of the fountain, down the red carpeted steps and around the red carpet to the tune of John Philip Sousa's "King Cotton" march, into a large cage on wheels so they can be transported in the elevator to their evening abode on the ballroom level. The promenade is repeated in reverse at 11 AM every day.
Today's agenda had only one major item on it, which was to visit the Clinton Museum and Library. It is very inspirational, and I almost bought one of the "I MISS BILL" T-shirts. But I got a mug instead. Every exhibit, and every stop on the self-guided audio tour is narrated by Bill. Listening to him, being reminded of what an amazingly charismatic speaker he was, and remembering his accomplishments in office, makes one wish for many more politicians of his caliber.
Little Rock has an area along the Arkansas River, just the other side of the Clinton Museum and extending for about five blocks, called "River Market". Many restaurants and shops, and fun to browse around. It seems like a very nice small city. We walked along the river path, and looked at all the plantings and sculpture. It was a barge that caught Bob's attention and interest.
We have shared the hotel with a very large contingent of Arkansas youth here for the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) competition. They have to present business plans, interview for (mock) jobs, and participate in business simulations. I don't know how many PowerPoint presentations they have to do; despite all this they seem to be the normal exuberant high school kids you would see anywhere. Just so many of them in one place...
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