Headed for Hot Springs National Park - the most urban of the national parks. Basically, it is a cute little mountain town, where people used to go to "take the waters." There are a bunch of really gorgeous deco-looking buildings that have housed spas since the early 20th century. We just really wanted to see the springs, so....
The water looks deceptively cool and refreshing...Nibbles wanted to jump in! But after gingerly dabbing at the surface, Hart and I agreed the name was fitting. Here, I think I got a video that shows the steam coming off...
Of course, a giant rock needs climbing...
And then we were headed off to Little Rock. Doing an "eduvacation" through the South means hitting sites of civil rights struggles, and so we found ourselves at Central High School - where three years after Brown vs. Board was passed, a group of brave, young, black, high school students - the Little Rock Nine - attempted to secure their rights of citizenship and equality.
1957. Governor Orval Faubus called out the National Guard to keep the students from entering their school, and local white racists hurled insults, spit balls, and worse at the young people. President Eisenhower sent army troops down to overpower the segregationists and enforce the Constitution. Wasn't easy, the racism never fully went away, but these strong activists overcame, and helped moved the world forward toward justice and equality....part of a journey we still travel.
Here's Hart: Very memorable, very educational, and very important for the Civil Rights Movement. It was very cool to see a black and white student who disagreed on racial segregation in the 1950s being friends today. I saw a quote and a picture of John Lewis. I read all three of his books, "March." He was a big contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.
Stayed in lovely North Little Rock, ready for the next stop - the next new state for H, Memphis TN!
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