When we woke up yesterday (May 17), it was a very dark morning with overcast skies and the threat of rain. We figured it was a day to not do anything even though we had already purchased tickets for the Arkansas Travelers 2:00 p.m. baseball game; however, by near game time the skies cleared and the rain was nowhere in sight so off we went. It was good to get outside in the fresh Little Rock air and to enjoy America's favorite pastime, which is quite appropriate considering where we are and what exactly "America's Favorite Pastime", means, which is:
"Baseball is considered a development from an older game called rounders that was made popular in Great Britain and Ireland. It became an extremely popular sport during and just after the American Civil War. It was called "America's Pastime" because during the late 19th and early 20th century it was probably the most widely played sport in the country. Baseball was to that time period as video games and television are to today. Before TV, baseball was what kids did after school and on the weekends and during the summer...etc. It was literally how America passed the time."
Today's game was very exciting, tied 1-1 at the bottom of the 11th inning, bases loaded, 2 outs, and wham a ball was hit to center field, bringing in the home team's winning run! It was so exciting there were fireworks, hardly seen in the daylight sky! As Thom would say, we got 3 free innings of baseball!
After the game, we drove through downtown Little Rock. It was an easy Sunday afternoon drive and we were able to capture a few photos of the capital building and a few statues. The current capital building, one of three we are told, is a magnificent view with its bright gold doors!
Here are a few photos of today's outing. We really didn't explore too much honestly but tomorrow we might just end up at the Clinton Presidential Library, which is a walking bridge away from our campground! As Thom said, "I would like to see what a presidential library is all about even though I would prefer the Reagan or Bush libraries". Perhaps, one day, I thought to myself!
Home of the Arkansas Travelers, a AA baseball team affiliated with the California Angels.
Outside the entrance to the stadium.
The crew's meeting before the game.
The Travelers were honoring the military this game.
Practice pitches.
The winners! 2-1 in 11 innings!
Little Rock, Arkansas Capital Building
Side view of the Capital Building.
Little Rock Nine
To fully understand this monument, I am adding a link:
A close-up view of the faces of these brave folks.
American Revolution Bicentennial Memorial
Rick Redden, a local architect and musician who passionately loved downtown Little Rock, and after his death is recognized by this statue.
I love anything and everything "eagle", so when I see a statue like this I have to capture it on film (memory card)!
From the drive along the Arkansas River, on the other side, sits our RV - the one on the right, parked along the banks of the Arkansas River.
A local artist beautifying Little Rock near the Clinton Presidential Library.
Louisiana completes the southern states!
We are headed to Kansas and Nebraska, so both of these states will be filled!
Tomorrow, May 19th, we are headed to Cave Springs, Arkansas, which is a campground we previously "parked" at in 2013. We are going to my favorite minor league baseball stadium, Arvest, to watch the visiting Arkansas Travelers take on the home team Northwest Arkansas Naturals, which is the Kansas City Royals AA affiliate. We are also hoping to meet up with a friend of ours who lives in Fayetteville.
Since Memorial Day is upon us, we did have to do some serious planning for the next weeks. Our itinerary is:
05/19, 05/20: Cave Springs, Arkansas
05/21, 05/22: Wellington, Kansas
05/23, 05/24, 05/25: Doniphan, Nebraska
05/26: Big Springs, Nebraska
05/27, 05/28, 05/29: Larkspur, Colorado
After Larkspur, we will head towards Gunnison, Colorado, an area we have not been to since the kids were born, over 27 years! We will also continue to explore Colorado until we make that northwest turn towards Washington State.
Until next blog ...
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