When you tell folks you’re flying to Little Rock, Arkansas, everyone thinks of the Clintons – no worries, I wouldn’t disappoint this trip.
Arrived in Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport, greeted by family – mom, brother, sister-in-law & niece – who travelled to Little Rock to support me at marathon #21 of my 50 State Quest. Best family ever!
Another unexpected cold snap in the deep South (Mississippi, South Carolina, now Arkansas) – perfect! Grey overcast skies (snow yesterday) – luckily had indoor activities planned in Arkansas’ capital city.
Bib pick-up, check. Next stop, lunch – Maddie’s Place, a Creole restaurant 2 doors down from the Cross-Eyed Pig 🙂 Food did not disappoint. Where else can one fill their pre-race belly with fried green tomatoes? YUM!
Googled top 10 things to do in Little Rock. All paths led to the Clinton Presidential Library. Library, seriously? These days I skim-read news headlines; haven’t actively read books since earning a MBA 10 years ago.
Luckily no Dewey Decimal system or card catalogue on today’s tour. Witnessed everything Clinton in these halls – thru film, photos & White House memorabilia. Clinton was a likeable President, super charismatic.
Completed our afternoon at the Old State House. This historical corridor-riddled building told Arkansas’ past, of its governors, its first ladies & of course Bill Clinton, first elected Governor at age 32.
President-Elect Clinton greeted the American public from this spot when elected in 1992. Lotta history here.
Ended the day with flaming queso at MarketPlace Grill. FANTASTIC day, surrounded by family. Super pumped, ready to run. Just wait ‘til tomorrow – a little freezing rain won’t slow me down 🙂
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- Happy Saturday from Little Rock!
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- Maddie at Maddie’s Place
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- fried green tomatoes – YUM!
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- a Monet (bottom right)
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- Oval Office replica
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- “Dear Valentine” — at the Peanuts exhibit
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- the mighty Arkansas River
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- my lovely Mom
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- Mom & her Lumberjack son
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- flaming queso – a family tradition
3rd straight marathon month lined up – Welcome to Austin!
Arrived just before midnite, caught some quick shuteye, then off to the Palmer Events Center for bib pickup & the Runner’s Expo. Fast sweep of the room, back in my rental & south on I-35 – destination: San Antonio. And more specifically…the Alamo.
Sunshiny warm day with temps in the mid-70’s. Beeeeutiful day!
More than one person warned that I’d be bored at the Alamo – only good if you like history. Lucky for me – I LOVE history! 🙂
Started off by watching a 20-minute movie produced by the History Channel. The Texas Revolution was very similar to our own country’s beginnings & struggle against England. Texas was a northern province of Mexico – primarily settled by Americans & Europeans – fighting for autonomy. Yea I was hooked. LOL>
And while the Alamo was the final resting place for Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis & 200 others, it was also the birthplace/the catalyst for the Republic of Texas. Nope not bored, no way. I soaked this all in.
Ready for a Texas style dinner? Well that’d be BBQ – so in Austin, you head to the Iron Works. Frequently by governors, senators & George W himself, just couldn’t go wrong. Marathon in the morning – time for sleep? Heck no, night’s still early.
In Texas they love their Longhorns, so caught a basketball game at UT’s Frank Erwin Center. #19 Texas crushed the visiting West Virginia Mountaineers 88-71, and improved to 20-5 on the season. Hook ‘em Horns!
BBQ, basketball & the Alamo. Yep, now I’m Texas-ready for tomorrow’s 26.2 miles.
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- Howdy Texas!
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- Defenders of the Alamo (Alamo Cenotaph)
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- Long Barrack
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- Remember the Alamo!
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- Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie…and palm trees? I don’t remember this in the movie.
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- Goodbye Alamo – sunshine, warm weather, super fun day!
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- San Antonio’s restaurant row — The River Walk
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- pre-race dinner at Iron Works BBQ
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- blessed by George W, the King of Texas
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- pre-marathon fun at UT/West Virginia game — Hook ’em Horns!
