Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Welcome to Arkansas

Welcome all you BATWer's. If you're not familiar with BATW then click on the button below! It's one of the coolest sites around.





Let me take a quick moment to introduce myself. My name is Betty, I'm married to my high school sweetheart whom I met here in Arkansas. He is an Air Traffic Controller, hence the name Keeper of the Skies Wife! I hope you didn't experience to much turbulence on the plane....if so I can get John to talk to the pilot! I have two grown daughter's named Meg & Tori. I started this blog to keep me busy as I was adjusting to the empty nest syndrome.

I live in central Arkansas (Little Rock Area) I'm just a hop, skip & a jump away from everything.

Home of the RAZORBACKS!!!



Arkansas (that's Ark-an-saw) is the Natural State! It is known for it's natural beauty, it's rolling rivers and waterfalls, it's mountains and awesome caves & caverns and natural hot springs!






Here are two views from Mt. Magazine the highest point in Arkansas. If you ever want to vacation somewhere different...this is a beautiful place. In March you can witness the Butterfly Migration. Over 90 different species of butterflies. Paris, the small town at the end of the mountain holds a butterfly festival. John & I celebrated our 20th anniversary here.

The WORLD'S championship duck calling contest is held in Stuttgart.
This is Jody. He's from Kansas and won this years contest. I don't know him just thought I'd add a photo.



There are lots caves in Arkansas! Arkansas caves are living....they continually change. The Old Spanish Treasure cave is beautiful...legend has it that there is a buried treasure that the Spanish conquistadors buried in the cave 350 years ago. I have been in the Blanchard Springs Cavern in Mountain View. The caves have a temperature of 50-60 degrees. It is a beautiful site to see!

Natural Hot Spring in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It's nice to soak your feet in the hot water. There are 47 hot springs that flow from the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain, at an average temperature of 143 F.


White River National Wildlife Refuge


Located in the foothills of the Ozarks is Altus...it's the Wine capital of Arkansas. Yep, we have vineyards in the mountains. There are 5 wineries to visit. Arkansas is the oldest and largest grape juice and wine producing state in the southern United States. Wiederkehr Wine Cellars and the Post Familie Vineyard in Altus are the top producing wineries in the United States. I LOVE wine!!!


Arkansas has the ONLY active diamond mind in the United States. The Crater of Diamonds State Park is located in Murfreesboro. It is open to the public....and is a fun place to get down and dirty and hope to find that huge diamond.
Here is a 5.47-carat, canary yellow diamond, found in 2006. I haven't had any luck finding one.

Do you remember the opening scene of Gone with the Wind. There is an Old Mill....well, I guess it was a new mill then.... Well, that Mill is right here in North Little Rock. It is believed to be the only structure left from that movie. It is a beautiful place to visit. Lots of weddings are held there each year.
Of course I can't forget to mention our 42nd President Bill Clinton. He was born in Hope. I can really insert loads of hilarious jokes....but, I won't. I love Bill!
Oh and Paula Jones.....remember her...she lives in the same town as me.

Enough said.


Here is a view of Little Rock. That's the Arkansas river. The blue tent looking thing in the bottom left corner is where outdoor concerts are held. Up from that is where the Farmer's Market is. The bridge is the Junction Pedestrian Walkway. Downtown Little Rock is one of our favorite places to go. There are awesome restaurants like The Flying Fish and Boscos, piano bars, and neat shops like Ten Thousand Villages, live theater and art galleries.

About a mile walk from the River Market is The Clinton Library.

The Little Rock Nine is in our history books. Here is a photo of Central High School where the segregation battle took place.


A great place to vacation in Arkansas would be Eureka Springs in the Ozark Mountains. It's a beautiful drive especially in the fall when the leaves are changing. The buildings are old, the streets are cobblestone, they have lots of Antique stores. You'd want to stay at the Crescent Hotel. It's haunted. John & I stayed there and it's a little freaky I must admit.

The Duggar Family from Springdale, Arkansas are expecting child # 18 in January 09'. Can you say, Stretch marks....I mean....are they crazy...I mean God Bless them!!!!





Sam Walton started Wal-Mart here in Bentonville back in the 1940's. I think there is a Super
Wal-Mart in every town around here.

Tyson Foods....yummy Tyson Chicken....it was started here in 1981.


Did you know Alltel was founded in Little Rock?!!! That's right CHAD!



Thought to be extinct, the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker was spotted in the Delta Wetlands. It hasn't been seen for over 60 years.



Near Dover is an overlook with a view of an Ozark Valley. Here, appear the "Dover Lights," an unexplained phenomena that appears, flickers and sways in various colors. Some say they are the ghosts of Spanish Conquistadors searching for their lost gold in the Ozark foothills.

I have to mention the Fouke Bigfoot. The Boggy Creek Monster. My husband is obsessed with him. Go here to read about it, they made a movie about him. Oh yes, we have the movie and watch it several times a year.



I hope you enjoyed the trip to Arkansas. By the way there is still a law in Arkansas that states it is illegal to pronounce it wrong. That's right, so pronounce it Ark-an-saw!
Come back soon.



82 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was great!! You have a beautiful family.

Louise | Italy said...

Oh my Lord, your daughters are beautiful. And smart too. You must be very, very proud of them. Thanks for this great insight into your town. Great pics. Nice writing. Louise

Pennies In My Pocket said...

ROTFL at Paula Jones! LOLOL Sorry, totally laughing here.

This is a FABULOUS post. I feel like I'm there. GORGEOUS pictures!

Your family = beyond gorgeously beautiful!

~melody~

oº˚ Homeschool Mom˚ºo said...

I just watch the Duggars last night! Do they live in your town? Stopping by from BATW to say hi! Thanks for sharing -- Loved all the pictures. Much Love

Anissa

Anonymous said...

What an incredibly beautiful place you live. Thank you so much for the tour and stunning photographs. Will have to put Arkansas on my 'wish list' of places to visit (when my little girls are a little older to make easy travel companions!).

Your girls are so very, beautiful and you must be incredibly proud.

Very best wishes,

Sarah in New Zealand (British expat)
xx

April said...

Hi There!

I stumbled onto your blog and I'm not exactly sure how I even got here. Sorry 'bout that! Anyhow, I'm originally from Arkansas, so I was thrilled to see that's where you're from! The pictures you posted makes me really miss it. I've been to about every place you mentioned. I grew up in the Hot Springs/Hot Springs Village area. I loved it and my family and I may very well be moving back as soon as our oldest daughter graduates from high school next year.

So, how is life as an Empty Nester? The thought of sending my daughter away to college next year makes my eyes tear up, but I'm sure I'll manage. Letting go is never an easy thing to do.

Anyhow, stop by and say hello sometime! I'm a huge Razorbacks fan...no Georgia Dawgs for me!! :)

Betty said...

Wow! Great post.
I can´t believe how much we have in common. My name is Betty too. We have 2 daughters too. And we are getting used to an empty nest too... :)
So I will be back to see more on what´s happening in your life.
Happy BATW day!

Melissa B. said...

Betty: Great tour, in pixes and in words! As a Native Texan, I've been up your way quite a bit. I also went to the University of Missouri, so I'm really familiar with the Ozark region of Arkansas, too. And, as a self-confessed "political junkie" who now lives near DC, I got a tickle at your mention of Monica Lewinsky & Paula Jones. Can you believe Bill Clinton ever looked that young?

Betty said...

Oh, and I love to crocet too! :-)

Bramblemoon Farm said...

Wow, you taught me SOOO much that I did not know! I love the beautiful pictures. The caves and springs look especially neat. You also have a beautiful family:)

Unknown said...

I think it is so cool that you and Ruthanne live near each other and only mentioned a couple of similar things! There's so much to do and it is such a beautiful place. Enjoy your BATW day!

Stacey Cannon said...

I love Arkansas! I grew up in Oklahoma so I've been there and through there many times! I didn't know so much of what you posted though! Thanks so much for sharing!! And that diamond...wow!

Heather said...

I feel like I just went on vacation. Thanks for sharing those awesome photos. You live in a beautiful part of our country.

Never been to Arkansas. Maybe someday Becky and I will bring the kids and visit. We'll fill up your house with craziness, and when we leave, you'll be a little bit glad you have an empty nest, if only for the peace and quiet :)

Becky W said...

I am so glad today is your BATW day! You did a great job giving us a tour of Arkansas! Thanks for letting us stop by! What a week - SITS a thon and BATW!!

Anonymous said...

The pictures of Paula Jones and Monica cracked me up! You're just missing Jennifer Flowers . . . . hahahaha

jori-o said...

Wow, what a comprehensive tour! Thanks! =)

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

Great tour! The Wildlife Refuge looks like something I need to see, and the hot springs... do they frown upon swimming in them? They look so inviting.

And I agree with everyone else who said it, your daughters are beautiful!

Happy BATW day!

Lauren W said...

What beautiful pictures! Thanks for such a lovely tour.

Desi said...

Awesome tour!!

Susie said...

Congratulations on your BATW feature. I hope you enjoy your day in the sun.

That was a great tour of Arkansas! Thanks for that.

Leslie said...

Hi from BATW! Thanks for the tour. The pictures of Arkansas are absolutely gorgeous. Would love to visit some day. You have a beautiful family. Enjoy your spotlight!

Lynda said...

Girl, when it comes to giving a tour, I am not sure you can be beat - that was excellent! Happy BATW day :-)

Gramma 2 Many said...

I think you gals have let the cat out of the bag. Never knew it was such a beautiful state. Maybe I will stop next time I pass through.
I watch the Duggers all the time. My dad came from a family of 16.
Happy BATW day. Have lots of fun.

Breanne said...

Wow - what a beautiful place. I have never been there but now I want to really visit. Thanks for the tour.

Aubrey said...

OMGosh! Was that a great tour or what?! I would have never guessed Arkansas was so beautiful.
I couldn't help but laugh at your stretch marks comment. How about insane? LOL
Yay on being spotlighted at BATW today!!

Elena said...

Oh so fascinating. That's a part of the world I've never been. It looks beautiful! Loved the bit about the boggy creek monster. We have Big Foot up here in our area. (Idaho) Thanks for sharing today, it was so fun.

Michelle said...

Great tour! I used to live in Springfield, Missouri, so I enjoyed checking off most of those sites on your feature.

So what happens to ya if you pronounce Arkansas incorrectly? Do they wash your mouth out with sop?

Michelle said...

Um, not SOP, I meant SOAP. ugh

Caution/Lisa said...

Thanks for the tour! Those girls of yours are stunning! And Arkansas looks pretty good, too. I had forgotten about Paula Jones...wow.

Heathahlee said...

What a great post about my second favorite state! My dad had a vacation house between Mountain View and Mountain Home until he sold it...I still tear up when I think too much about that! We have been to Blanchard Springs Caverns many, many times, and to the spring itself, pouring out of the mouth of the cave. Arkansas is so beautiful! Shh, don't tell anyone around here I said this, but it's prettier than my own state of Mississippi! : )

EmmaP said...

Love the photos! And I follow the Duggars regularly! I know I've stopped by before, but I don't think you had the pic of your girls up then. I must say that I was expecting them to be LITTLE GIRLS!!! You look way to young to be their mother!!! Cute blog - love the new halloween background!

Vicki said...

My dad and stepmom retired to Lead Hill in the Ozark Mountains. It's absolutely beautiful. Since we've visited them there several times we've been able to explore a little bit of NW AR.

Eureka Springs is such a cute town. And we toured the Crescent Hotel. Didn't stay there though :)

We've seen a little of the Buffalo River. My dad loves photography and so he likes going there and to the caves and their surroundings.

Thanks for the tour!

Denyse said...

What a great tour of Arkansas! Being from Texas, I've been across the state line many times. I remember mining for diamonds in Murfreesboro when I was about 10...a looooooong time ago. Do they still do The Passion Play in Eureka Springs?
Your daughters are beautiful and I appreciate all your husband does. My hubs travels a lot and its always nice to know there are people watching out for his safety. :) Is air traffic controller still at the top of the list for most stressful jobs?

Julie said...

Yeah, it is your day! I am so happy that you are shining today. Enjoy it... and I learned a lot! I had no idea wine was produced there and the most in the US too, I would have thought CA.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this tour. Arkansas is something I only know about from the Clinton's so it's great to learn more about where you live. Those Razorbacks look terrifying! Hope you enjoyed your BATW day. I'm glad I made the trip from New Zealand.

taratoons said...

Loved your post!! Arkansas seems so beautiful. I have a friend that just moved back to Arkansas, now I need to come visit!! I hope you enjoy your BATW day!

Trish said...

Wow, who knew?

All I've ever heard about
ArKansaw is bad jokes that involve trailer parks and marrying your cousins.

Thanks for showing the beauty of the state!! And it is beautiful as are your girls.

enjoy your BATW day!

Anonymous said...

Visiting from BATW.....Thanks for the tour through Arkan"saw":). I never new how beautiful it was. I really enjoyed the pictures. I'm looking forward to visiting someday.

Lady Dorothy said...

Great tour! Lots of history in your state -- and spooky things!

Greetings from California!

(I just love the Duggar family!)

Darcy @ m3b said...

It was a great tour. I visited Ruthanne, too. I had no idea that Little Rock was so beautiful! It really is so pretty. You had me at hot springs and vineyards and diamonds! ;)

Darcy
-The Janitor over at BATW

Mrs. X said...

Wow Arkansas looks so beautiful AND scary! What's up with those lights and that freaky monster thing!?

Thanks for the tour, it was interesting :)

Shell said...

Happy BATW day. Thanks for the lovely tour of Arkansas. I have to come to see The Butterfly Migration one day. Sounds wonderful.

Sooz said...

Stopping by from BATW, thanks so much for the tour! Those are beautiful photos!

Stephanie Wetzel said...

What an amazing and THOROUGH introduction to your state! You've included some beautiful photos.

We've wanted to go to the diamond mine since it was featured on "Finding Cash and Treasures" on Discovery.

Steph over in GA

Tiffany said...

What an awesome post! There is so much history to be found there. Wow. We are planning a road trip there to search for diamonds in the next few years.

Thanks for showing me around! Oh, and had to mention that I think there is a Super Walmart in virtually every town around here as well. We have 5 in our county alone.

Karin said...

This was a great adventure! What a beautiful state and beautiful people. Greetings from Alberta, Canada!

Amy said...

Visiting via BATW! Awesome post, I am from Louisiana. Not too far away :D

illahee said...

wow, what a great tour! thanks!

now i have to add arkansas to my list of places to visit!

Dianne - Bunny Trails said...

What an interesting tour. I've never been to your fair state, so I enjoyed this.

Your daughters are just beautiful. :D

I Love Purple More Than You said...

LOVE the Duggar Family! Wow... so many beautiful pictures of Arkansas!!! I had no idea!!!

"The Queen in Residence" said...

Hey lady that was some tour. I just stopped at the family expecting their 18th. That means that she has been pregnant for the last 20 years. That made my whole body ache....

Your girls are gorgeous. I hope that school is going good for them. Loved the stop from BATW!!!

Caroline said...

What a great tour of Arkansas. I've been to Mississippi, that's about as close to Arkansas that I've been. There is some beautiful scenery there, WOW! Thanks for the tour! Can your husband do anything about the fact that peanuts and drinks are not offered free of charge anymore? That would be great if he could lodge a complaint with the FAA.

Debbie said...

I love that both of you Arkansas bloggers who live 5 minutes from each other really treated us to different things about the Little Rock area. I never ever knew it was that cosmo. The two of you have completely shattered my image of Arkansas.

And Paula Jones...that was a blast from the past....

Well done Betty and thanks for hosting us!

Bug said...

Thanks for the great tour of Arkansas! Love the pictures and you have a beautiful family.

Love the blog design by the way! :)

Here from Illinois by way of BATW! Hope you enjoyed your day!

Michelle said...

Oh that's so fun. Debbie was right -- you do have a gorgeous family.

I knew nothing about Arkansas other than the Hogs. What you showed is SO much more and so cool. I love the caves. And the hot springs. So different from what I was expecting! Thank you for sharing.

MediMonsters said...

Stopping in from BATW--what a great tour of your state. I have been there many times and we love Petit Jean Mountain. I really want to go did for diamonds.

CaraBee said...

Wow! I had no idea Arkansas was so beautiful and interesting. I mean, you have Bigfoot, fer crying out loud. Goes to show that I need to get out more. Thanks for the tour!

Melody said...

Awesome, awesome post! Congrats for being spotlighted!

I'm looking forward to the soup recipe! =) Thanks for coming by today even when you were busy!

Rebecca said...

Thanks for the tour! I was at the Marlsgate Plantation just outside of Little Rock in June. The whole area was just gorgeous!

Kelly said...

First of all, I can't believe you have adult children!!! Your girls should be stoked that they inherited your genes!!

I have never been to Arkansas and I didn't realize all the gorgeous nature that your state has...lucky you!!

Thanks for being a great hostess! Wonderful post!

Anonymous said...

Holy moly! You sold me, I need to visit soon. Gorgeous pictures, great little tour you gave us.

Just Lisa said...

Great tour! I loved all the nature shots. Makes me want to go on vacation there!

Tracy P. said...

Wow, I never knew Arkansas was so beautiful! Great tour--thanks!

Anonymous said...

i have great memories of camping at daisy state park when i was a kid. arkansas has some great state parks!!

and what a great tour guide you are!!

Gina said...

Thanks for the tour. I can go to bed happy now. Cool music, too.

Dawn said...

Hi from Louisiana!! Great post! Your kids are beautiful!!

Becky said...

Holy cow!!! DID you do your research or what! I totally want to come to Arkansas now!
Looks like a fantstic place to live!

Jaden Paige said...

I loved this entry! I'm definitely going to check out the BATW site now. Thanks! Arkansas looks like a great place to live :D

Melissa Lester said...

You have a beautiful family living in a beautiful state! Thank you for the tour. I have never been to Arkansas, but my mother received lifesaving treatment in Little Rock for multiple myeloma. She is in remission now, thanks to the cutting-edge treatment she received there. So I'm grateful to many people in Arkansas that we still get to enjoy her.

Melissa Lester said...

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I love the Duggars! After seeing them on HGTV, my oldest of four children said, "Why couldn't we have more than 10 children?" I don't think I could manage a household with that many, but they seem to have it all together!

Unknown said...

Hi there! I never realized how beautiful your state is! I LOVE the pictures of the caves and the fall color... *sigh*... just BEAUTIFUL!

Laural Out Loud said...

This was a REALLY great post! I never knew a thing about Arkansas except for the Bill Clinton thing. It looks like a gorgeous state.

The Me/ The Wife/ The Mom said...

Wow....I do feel welcome and will put it on the "to visit" list immediately! Great posts...beautiful family! God bless!

Jennie said...

WOO PIG SOOIE!!!!

GO Dver Pirates!!!

Ashley said...

Wow! Great tour of Arkansas - never thought I would know so much! Also - love your new blog design. (It may not be that new since I've been m.i.a. but I'm back and happy to be catching up on everyone's blogs.)

Ronnica said...

Did you know that the river named after you state is pronounced "Our (as in "R") Kansas" in Kansas? I don't think it's coincidental...

I grew up in Kansas, went to school in Oklahoma, but have never been to Arkansas. Go figure.

Thanks for taking late-comers!

Anonymous said...

I loved my visit to your blog.. Isn't BATW wonderful. Otherwise, I would never have known about your site..

Sarah said...

a little late, but I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your post. I never knew Ak was so beautiful!

lynn said...

Hi, stopping by a little late from BATW! I'm always playing catch up! Hope you enjoyed your day. You have a lovely family. I'm learning so much on these BATW tours it really makes me want to go traveling.

Shannon said...

I am sooooooo late!

But this was a great tour! The waterfall pics are especially pretty.

Anonymous said...

Outstanding pictures and information on Arkansas! Go Hogs!

Sweet said...

Enjoyed the page! I'm curious about that map though! Can you explain to me why Hot Springs goes over all the way to the west? I live in Western Arkansas and I have never seen a map like that.Anyone else reading this that knows please email me! I'm so curious! Thanks! ��✌❤
xsweet1o1x@gmail.com