Petit Jean State Park , just west of Little Rock Arkansas, was a relaxing place to rest for a few days. After a 1/2hr drive up a mountain road, I came to the park and its forest of large pine trees. Along the entrance were groups of daffodils in full bloom and interspersed among the pines were flowering wild pear trees. The songs of many birds added to the peaceful atmosphere. 
campsite due spring break for the schools and the campsites had been reserved weeks ahead. Luckily there was a last minute cancellation while I was waiting and I got a site for 5 days ! It was glorious to have so much time in such a wonderful place, to rest, go for hikes on their many trails, or catch up on e-mails at a lodge nearby.
The park is named after a French girl who, in the 1700's, disguised herself as a boy to secretly travel with her fiance to the New World and this mountain. He had refused her to come with him due to the dangers of going to an unknown land and promised he would send for her after checking it out. Her disguise was so good he didn't recognize her and the other sailors named her Petit Jean due to her small size. On the night before leaving to return to France, she became critically ill and her identity was discovered. She begged him to forgive her and requested that she be buried on that mountain that she loved so much.Her grave site is now visited by many travelers.
There are several well traveled hiking trails throughout the park, often following Cedar Creek which resulted from Cedar Falls, a 95ft waterfall and popular attraction.
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| Cedar Creek |
While at the park, I met many very nice people who lived in nearby towns or cities and wanted to spend time camping with their children. It was delightful to watch the children playing in the forest and listening to the music of their laughter.
Quite a few visitors camped in tents and it must have been cold for them during the night unless they had a tent heater.
The days were warm enough for T-shirts.
One day there was a thunderstorm, my first heavy rain in a long time. I was happy to get my RV washed!
On March 30, I travelled about 4hrs on to Memphis,Tennessee (pop just over 1/2 million) with the worst traffic I have yet encountered. The highway was busy enough with numerous large trucks (and some motorhomes!) and construction , that I decided not to drive into Memphis to visit Graceland (the former home of Elvis, sigh!)
As I had nothing else arranged for a place to park for the night I was going to stay at a Walmart on the outskirts of the city. A security guard informed me that parking there overnight was illegal and told me I could park at Sam's parking lot across the road. I've noted that some Walmarts now don't allow overnight parking for RV's or trucks due to their parking lots being owned by private companies. I was grateful to have a place to park!
The next day, I continued my journey, stopping at a McDonalds to use their free wifi to check on campgrounds along the way. I found a PA (Passport America) RV park , about 4hrs east.
The countryside had been rolling hills with some flat stretches and large fields bordered by forests.
As I drove eastward, I was watching spring unfold as if in slow motion : more blossoming bushes and trees appeared, the grass became greener and had a more lush appearance, young leaves were appearing on the trees and clumps of daffodils could be seen around some mailboxes. After the snow and ice of winter, the magic of spring never ceases to amaze me!
When I arrived at Tanbark campground, I was welcomed like a part of the family. The manager Gena, showed me to my site and gave me information about the park and the area.
Because I have PA membership, it cost me $12.50/night for full hookups, free wifi, laundry facilities and showers! I so love getting a good deal, particularly if it's also a pleasant, quiet, and well maintained park. Several people live here full time in their motor homes or trailers. For $250/mo plus electricity, it's an inexpensive way to live!
Tomorrow, I will go back on the road for the 1hr drive to Nashville, a place I have wanted to visit since hearing country and western music when I was a teen ager....Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves...
Gena made some phone calls and arranged for me to park overnight at her brother's recording studio across from Grand Ole Opry. Oh, I think I can hear the music already!
Some astronomy facts:
In the upper left shoulder of the constellation Orion is the bright star Betelgeuse. It is a supergiant red star 1 million times brighter and 1000 times larger than the sun. It is calculated to be as big as the radius of Jupiter's orbit around the sun!
(from "Understanding the Universe: An introduction to Astronomy" by Alex Filippenko)
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein
"The clearest way into the universe is through -a forest wilderness" - John Muir, Botanist
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