Little Rock

OLD STATE HOUSE

Little Rock is the capital and the most populous city of the state of Arkansas and also the county seat of Pulaski County. As of 2008, according to the US census, Little Rock had a population of 189,500. Including the immediate area/ towns the population increases to 862,500.

CITY HALL

Located near the geographic center of Arkansas, Little Rock derives its name from a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River called la Petite Roche (French: "the little rock"). The "little rock" was used by early river traffic as a landmark and became a well-known river crossing.

Central High School

Little Rock Central High School is a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. Central High School was the site of forced school desegregation during the American Civil Rights Movement. Central is located at the intersection of Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive (named for the civil rights leader and formerly known as 14th Street) and Park Street. Central High School, which covers grades 9 through 12, has an current enrollment of 2,422. 

Built in 1927 at a cost of $1.5 million, Little Rock Senior High School, later to be renamed Little Rock Central High, was hailed as the most expensive, most beautiful, and largest high school in the nation. Its opening earned national publicity with nearly 20,000 people attending the dedication ceremony. Historic events in the 1950s changed education at Central High School and throughout the United States.

Capitol

River Market

The Little Rock River Market District is the downtown area of Little Rock, Arkansas along the Arkansas River. Since 1996, it has become the cultural, social and corporate center of Arkansas’ capital city. It consists of the area east of Cumberland Street to the Clinton Library east of Interstate 30 and south of the Arkansas River to the Arkansas Arts Center, and to the banks of North Little Rock’s Verizon (formerly named the ALLTEL) Arena.

FARMERS MARKET

The River Market District is most well known for the actual Little Rock ‘’’River Market’’’. The River Market has over the last century been the center of exchange of goods for farmers from across the state of Arkansas and the tradition continues today every Tuesday and Saturday mornings. In 1996, the decision was made to refurbish the area around the River Market into a mix of local businesses, museums, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Today, the River Market District’s restaurants and bars are packed most Friday and Saturday nights and the District is continually hosting many major conventions. 

Old Mill Inn

The Old Mill, located at Fairway Ave. & Lakeshore Drive in North Little Rock, is a historic re-creation of an 1880's water-powered grist mill. The mill was seen in the opening scenes of David Selznick's 1937 movie classic "Gone With The Wind", and is believed to be the only remaining structure from the film. Admission to The Old Mill is free, and the hours of operation are from sunrise to sunset.

The Old Mill, also known as Pugh's Mill, was built in 1933 by Justin Matthews as a replica of an old-water-powered grist mill. The mill was designed to appear as if it belonged in Arkansas and had been here since the 1800s. It is made largely from tinted concrete work over steel and copper rods made to represent wood, iron or stone, and features sculptures by Mexican artist Senor Dionicio Rodriguez. 

The Old Mill was nationally recognized in 1986 by being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also presented with the Greater Little Rock Historic Preservation Award by the Quapaw Quarter Association.

Sunday in New Orleans

Goal- drive back to Houston, avoid New Orleans city limits due to large crowds and street closures due to the Rock N Roll Marathon

LAURA- A CREOLE PLANTATION

Laura Plantation website 

LAURA LOCOUL

Creole is the non-Anglo-Saxon culture and lifestyle that flourished in Louisiana before it became a part of the United States in 1803. Louisiana Creole is a blending of three different ethnic influences: the west European, west African, and includes a significant input from the Native American.

Guillaume Duparc's sugar farming complex was originally called l'habitation Duparc, then, years later, renamed the Laura Plantation.  At its largest size, it was approximately 12,000 acres, which included properties amassed over time.  In 1804, Duparc, a French naval veteran of the American Revolution, petitioned Thomas Jefferson for property. Construction of Duparc's manor house began in 1804 and completed 11 months later.  The work was executed by highly-skilled slaves, probably of Senegalese descent, in pre-fabricated methods, typical of early Louisiana vernacular structures. This U-shaped structure totaled approx. 24,000 sq. ft. and had a 2,500 sq. ft. detached kitchen to its rear.  At Duparc's death in 1808, the l'habitation consisted of 10 sizable buildings, including quarters for 17 slaves, a barn, warehouses and a small, rudimentary sugar mill. By the 1850s, the Duparc Plantation was the workplace for 100 mules and 195 humans, 175 of them slaves.

Laura Plantation was rescued from demolition, not because of its Big House but, because of its remaining slave quarters and what happened in them many years ago. In the 1870s, Alcée Fortier, a young neighbor of Laura's, visited the workers' cabins at this site and at nearby plantations. As a teenager, Fortier began to collect these stories from former slaves, all lively accounts of Compair Lapin and Compair Bouki, the clever rabbit and the stupid fool. Ever since, English-speakers would know Compair Lapin as that rascal: Br'er Rabbit.

FRONT GATES

BIRTH/ CHILDREN'S ROOM

DINING ROOM

OAK ALLEY PLANTATION
website

LOOKING AT THE FRONT DOORS

Jacques Telesphore Roman began his courtship of Celina Pilie, whose very prominent family lived around the corner on Royal Street. They were married in June 1834. In May of 1836, "Valcour" Aime, neighbor, brother-in-law and friend, sold Jacques Telesphore the plantation riverboat captains later dubbed "Oak Alley."

 Jacques Telesphore and Celina plunged with enthusiasm into the project of their plantation home. There would be no corners cut ... only the best would do. The architect is believed to have been none other than Celina's father, Gilbert Joseph Pilie, and master builder George Swainy was contracted to direct the construction, a task which took over two years to complete.

The design of the mansion combined several styles, the most notable being the 28 classic columns surrounding the house. The columns measure 8 feet in circumference and are solid brick. The veranda extends approximately 13 feet from the walls, keeping the home in shade most of the day. The tall windows and doors face each other for cross ventilation and the ceilings are 12 feet high. Most important are the 16 inch thick walls throughout the house.

The mansion as you see it today has been restored to its 19th century glory, a noble tribute to those who left their indelible mark on this rich River Region.

 

FRONT DOORS

 

FORMAL LIVING ROOM

 

UPSTAIRS PORCH

NOTTOWAY PLANTATION
website

GOLD & WHITE ROOM

At the edge of the sugarcane field stands the majestic Nottoway. This historic and architectural jewel was completed in 1859 by a wealthy Virginia planter named John Hampden Randolph for his wife, Emily Jane, and their eleven children.

Nottoway is the largest remaining antebellum mansion in the Southern United States and splendidly rests along Louisiana's Great River Road in White Castle, at the heart of Plantation Country.

Construction of Nottoway was completed in 1859 at an estimated $80,000. Nottoway has 64 rooms in its three floors, six interior staircases, three modern bathrooms, 22 massive square columns, 165 doors and 200 windows. During Randolph's day, the home had fancy chamber pots (flushing toilets) and hot and cold running water in all bathrooms, all unheard of at that time. Nottoway had a "gas plant" on site with gas lighting throughout the home, unique at the time. A bowling alley was installed for the children inside the home.

 

VIEW FROM FRONT GATES

  

DINING ROOM

 

LADIES TEA ROOM

BATON ROGUE

The Capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge- which is French for red stick. The population is 228,000 and is the second largest city in Louisiana. The capitol builiding is 34 stories and is the tallest capitol building in the United States. 

 OLD CAPITOL BLDG

Baton Rouge dates from 1699, when French explorer Sieur d'Iberville leading an exploration party up the Mississippi River saw a reddish cypress pole festooned with bloody animals and fish that marked the boundary between Houma and Bayou Goula tribal hunting grounds.

 CURRENT CAPITOL BLDG

Baton Rouge is home Louisiana State University and it is estimated that 20% of the city's population are college students!

Sunday roadtrip PICS

Carson City, Nevada

Julie & I at Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe

Emerald Island at Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe!

snow mobiling at Lake Tahoe

Sacramento, California

Julie & I in San Francisco

San Francisco at night

Julie & I at Pier 39

Chinatown- San Francisco

California back to Texas :(

So Julie left Monday am for San Antonio. I stayed in Fresno, Cali hoping to get a new assignment in the area soon!! After 2 days with nothing to do in the fruit farm capitol of California and the only job prospect being in LA I left Fresno and went to Carmel.

Seaside Beach- Monterey State Beach

There I stayed with my grandparents wonderful friends- the Bigbee's. Last time I was in California over 3 years ago I stayed with them at their home. They are a wonderful couple with a great big heart! They let me just spot by and stay with them for 3 days!!!! I am soo thankful for the warm bed and delicious meals and time with them!!

Laguna Seca- Monterey County

Thursday I went the Monterrey Bay Aquarium- which is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend to everyone! Last time in Carmel I made a visit to this aquarium and I was totally impressed! This visit there was a special exhibit about seahorses- which was just beautiful and breath taking!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

For lunch I left the aquarium and went down the pier for fresh fish lunch- fish and chips. I can honestly say I have never had before and it was delicious. After lunch I had 2 telephone interviews in LA hospital. Both interviews went great and I was offered the position . . . but by now you all know that I am not in California or in LA.

Monterey California

Then on Friday I waited by the phone all day talking with my recruiter hoping to hear all the final details about the job in LA . . . waited and waited and waited. Finally at 530pm my recruiter called with the sad news that the LA hospital requires additional background check and drug screen and the next date for orientation after those items are completed is in 3 weeks. I could wait in Cali for 3 more weeks but I would be on my own for housing and meals. That was something I was not willing to do and wait. So I decided to head back to Texas and just wait there for a new assignment. There at home I would be with family and friends and a have free place to stay.

I left California Friday night. Saturday making stops in Phoenix Arizona at the Capitol, Tucson at Sagauro National Park and dinner in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Phoenix, Arizona- capitol

Saguaro National Park

Sunday making stops at the Sonora Caverns and finally arriving back to San Antonio.

Caverns of Sonora