Rugged Beauty, Possum Pie and Proud Football |
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Arkansas Location Fact:
Arkansas borders Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Mississippi
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Let’s bring some light to Arkansas. Yes, there are the quirky cities such as Sunshine, Goobertown, and Toad Suck. There are many folks living in the woods. There are quite a few misconceptions about Arkansas. After traveling nearly six weeks throughout the state I have one conclusion - Arkansas is the land of unexpected. The state offers some of the most beautiful landscape and people I have encountered in my travel of eleven states so far. So many surprises, awe moments and interesting personalities. Here are some of those encounters you can only learn about by reading the “Traveling Gazette.”
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Arkansas Little Known Fact:
The United States bought Arkansas in the Louisiana Purchase (national monument located in the swamps)
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In the historic town of Helena, I slowly drive alongside the old railroad tracks and abandoned buildings in search of a treasure - the longest running radio station in America. On November 21, 1941, the birth of the King Biscuit Flour Hour began. It brought Blues music to the airwaves five days a week for one hour. A teenage boy, Sonny Payne, was pushing a broom in the studio, swaying to the tunes. Little did he know he would be known as “Sunshine” for 6 decades hosting the hour. Why the name - King Biscuit? The first sponsor of this Peacock awarding winning station was Interstate Grocery Company. This local company distributed King Biscuit flour and wanted to market their flour. The name stuck and continues eighty-one years later. Sunshine took to the Blues airwaves until his death in 2018. Today the radio hour continues with the ever-so-energetic Thomas Jacques. Each day Thomas spins himself in a rotating chair, clapping his hands rhythmically, while jamming out to the smooth Blues. You can peer through the large window or enter the studio enjoying his radio production - yes, it is quite the production. The town proudly offers the King Biscuit Festival for three days of Blues with over 100,000 attendees. Now that is a party - “Pass the Biscuits” Style! Thank you, Thomas, letting me join you on the air waves!
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Arkansas Absurd Law Fact:
Honking your vehicle’s horn in a place where cold drinks are served after
9 p.m. is illegal
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GANGSTERS, CELEBRITIES AND TOURISTS ALL IN THE SAME TUB |
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Your soul needs it! Your body needs it! Your well-being needs it! Take a day off from life and soak in the bathhouses, eat delicious foods and drink local beer all located in the Hot Springs National Park. By the way, this is the only brewery in a National Park where you can soak your tastebuds - Bathhouse Brewery. |
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Nestled in the mountains, one finds the second smallest national park in the US - Hot Springs National Park. Since the roaring gangster days, millions continue soaking their bodies in the natural waters for comfort, healing and tranquility. |
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One can enjoy the purest of water at one of the nine fountains located in the city. Savor, enjoy and taste the goodness. Fill your containers full of the sweet, crisp spring waters. It is the “local” thing to do! |
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Arkansas Interesting Fact:
Springdale, Arkansas, is the headquarters of Tyson Foods
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Babe Ruth's World Breaker 500-footer Lands in an Alligator Farm |
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I am not sure what I want to share first: The effort it took to find it or why it is so important in baseball history. Let's start with why. On St. Patrick's Day of 1918, pitcher Babe Ruth became the Great Bambino Babe Ruth - the most famous ballplayer in baseball history. Not known to be a slugger, he hit the ball out of the park, over a high fence, across the street and into the furthest pond located in an alligator farm during spring training. A whopping total of 573 feet! Imagine goal post to goal post of a football field (360 feet) and add 213 more feet to that! Baseball history changed forever in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Ok, now let's talk about the effort. This homeplate sits in the smack middle of a large, paved parking lot. It took me close to 10 minutes to find it as there is no indication or signage of its location! I found it by scouring the parking lot for something unusual - a spot of white. What a hidden treasure! The only reason I knew it was here is a town local informed me of it. A needle in a haystack story! |
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Arkansas Odd Fact:
Hernando de Soto, the first explorer of Arkansas fell in and died on the Mississippi River.
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MUST SEE and DO in ARKANSAS! |
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- Mountain View - Folk Music Capital of the World
- Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park
- Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
- Little Rock (Central High School Tour/Does Eat Place)
- Hawksbill Crag Whitaker Point
- Crater of the Diamonds State Park
- Terra Studios - Fayetteville
- Blanchard Springs - Mitchell Mill
- Buffalo National River Park Region
- Eating BBQ and Possum Pie (Jones BBQ, Big Jakes, Sassy's and Stoby's)
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My Favorite and Unexpected Day in Arkansas - Standing on the edge of this massive rock at Whitaker Point! I extend my arms up and open, showing my gratitude for the adventures and hospitality of ARKANSAS! |
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