Degray Lake & Crater of Diamonds

DeGray Lake State Park

DeGray Lake Resort State Park is the finest of Arkansas resorts. Situated on the north shore of 13,800-acre DeGray Lake, this recreational retreat in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains offers resort amenities combined with the outdoor adventures of an Arkansas state park. DeGray is a fishing and water sports resort. DeGray is a golf resort. And DeGray is an Arkansas state park perfect for family vacations, getaways, reunions, weddings, business meetings, conferences, and retreats.

DeGray Lake Resort State Park Lodge, the park's dominant facility, stretches along the shoreline of the island on which it is located. The 94-room lodge and its conference center can serve groups of 10 to 350 persons, offer sweeping views of DeGray Lake's blue waters and the distant mountains that surround them. DeGray Lake is one of five renowned Diamond Lakes of southwest Arkansas lakes known for their crystal-clear waters, which attract snorkelers and scuba divers throughout Arkansas. The DeGray Lake area abounds with birdlife and wildlife. It is rich in scenic natural beauty, and it is a pristine and peaceful setting where you can experience a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Take a hike, go bicycling or join a guided trail ride. Go picnicking or sightseeing. Enjoy a group get-together at one of the park pavilions or join a park interpreter for a guided hike, lake tour, nature program or outdoor workshop. Plan your getaway to DeGray, Arkansas's resort state park.


MY ADVENTURES-- Wandered around the park for a bit. Even tested the waters with my toes- it was cool but felt great since it was over 80 degrees outside. Beautiful lake for summer swimming and lots of fishing and boating adventures. Also there is a golf course on grounds too. Seems like a great place to go with friends for camping in the hot summer.

Crater of Diamonds State Park

Arkansas, The Natural State, is blessed with an abundance of geological wonders. Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public, stands out as a unique geological "gem" for you to explore and enjoy.

Here, you are invited to prospect in the park's diamond search area, a 37 1/2-acre plowed field that is the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic pipe that 95 million years ago, brought to the surface the diamonds and some of the semi-precious stones lucky visitors find here today.

Diamonds of all colors of the rainbow can be found here at Crater of Diamonds, but the three most common colors unearthed by park visitors are white, brown and yellow. Crater of Diamonds State Park is a rockhound's delight since, along with diamonds, more than 40 types of rocks and minerals can found here, too. These rocks and minerals include lamproite, amethyst, banded agate, jasper, peridot, garnet, quartz, calcite, barite, and hematite.

MY ADVENTURES-- Arriving here and realizing that it will cost about $40 just to out to look in mounds of dirt for diamonds. The fields of dirt are in the blazing sun and its almost 90 degrees outside. Plus, the cost and digging in the dirt alone just didn't seem like much fun. Maybe if it weren't so hot and I had diamond mining partner I would have been more excited. Plus seeing other tourists or miners coming back from the dirt field just covered head to toe in dirt and dust didn't seem to appealing.

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.

Petit Jean State Park

PARK HISTORY & INFORMATION

Petit Jean Mountain is a special place – an unforgettable place – known for the legend of Petit Jean, the story of a French girl who disguised herself as a boy and secretly accompanied her sweetheart, an early explorer, to the New World and to this mountain.


Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas’s first and flagship state park, enhances this 300–year–old legend with windswept views, enchanting woodlands laced with streams and wildflowers, and a spectacular 95-foot waterfall - Cedar Falls.

This park is a place where nature over time has formed sheer bluffs, Cedar Creek Canyon and the Seven Hollows, such distinctive features as Bear Cave, the Grotto and Natural Bridge, and whimsical formations we call Turtle Rocks and Carpet Rocks.


Rock House Cave is not a true cave, but a large rock shelter. It is also the premier spot in the state for viewing Native American rock art- created over 500 years ago. This trail also includes some of the most interesting geological formations in the park; Turtle Rocks. 

This trail winds along a scenic section of Cedar Creek above Cedar Falls. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930's, this trail's rock steps and bluffs create a few difficult places. The mountain stream, high bluffs and thick vegetation make Cedar Creek Trail perfect for experiencing local bird and plant life. Cedar Falls is a 95-foot waterfall, one of the tallest continuously flowing waterfalls in the state.

MY ADVENTURES

Arrived at the park around 2pm after a 6 hour drive from Dallas. It was super hot outside already so I packed my backpack with extra water, got my cameras (yes I took more than one), lathered up with sunscreen and hit the trails!!!

First I stopped off at the burial site of Jean Petit and a gorgeous overlook of the valley & river below. As I drove up the mountain I passed large cow farms and open fields. The air smelled a little like a farm but the grounds were covered with tiny yellow flowers!!!! Lots and lots of flowers. There were so many tiny flowers that the fields were yellow. 

My next stop was to Cedar Falls Overlook-- seeing the 95 foot waterfall from the viewing deck was super cool. I noticed there was also another viewing deck across the canyon. So off into the woods I went, hiking!! I stopped to eat my lunch (my fav- PB&J) next to the creek- pretty sweet. The continued hiking following Cedar Creek, crossed a bridge then hiked some more. Finally getting to the other side, it was great!!! I really enjoying hiking in the woods- it was much much cooler beneath the shade of dense the trees than just being outside in the beating hot sun. Viewing the falls from the opposite side was definitely worth the hike!!

Then I hiked back to the car and headed to Mather Lodge. Walked and hiked around a bit more. Drove around the park to various overlooks and even a drive around the mountain.

After driving in the mountains I went to Rock House Cave- to get to the cave required a short hike but it was different than the lush dense forest. I hiked over huge rocks that look like turtle shells and the rocks are even named Turtle Rocks! At the cave I was able to see Indian drawings up close. 

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!