Walking the Trails Again in 2016...

Hot Springs Village has 15 trails totaling 30 miles for running, walking, hiking, or biking. In 2012 and 2013 we walked all of them.  The weather has been so nice this winter we decided to make a return trip to each of them.  The first on our list was the closest to us and we wanted to see how it fared.  The lake beside the trail had been plagued with an algae type scum and was taking over.  It was not a pretty sight and still is a mess.  It looks as if it has been drained in hopes of killing the algae.  I am hoping it succeeds because it is an interesting trail for birds and plant life. 

 

In fact, my first trip down the trail was a bird walk on a cold March morning around 8:00 am. The Hot Springs Village Audubon Society conducted the tour. I was so cold that all I remember seeing was a cardinal and I could see those in my backyard. Oh and I heard a few tweets and twitters.

Pictures from our walk this year.

Turtles

Trees

Turtles and Trees

Trail's End

Sums it up for this Trail in 2016

It's the 'Pitts'

Charlotte and Thomas, that is.  They are the lead characters in a series of books by Anne Perry. The stories take place in Victorian England. Ms. Perry takes her historical research very seriously.  The reader gets not only a mystery to solve, but a real feel for the era. 

Ms. Perry was recommended by a friend. I chose this series of hers to read instead of her more well known series "Monk".  I love Charlotte and Thomas all of their relatives, friends, and servants.

The Cater Street Hangman is the first and I started with it.  I always read a series beginning with the first book.


 

The Angel Court Affair

To be released
March 2016
Stay Tuned for Review

 I caught up with the publisher at Number 30, The Angel Court Affair.










Now I am waiting on the next installment, Treachery at Lancaster Gate.

Highly recommended if you like to read historical fiction, The Victorian Period and a good mystery to go along with it. 
(You may read my reviews at Goodreads.com by clicking the link below the book pictures.)

The Pause That Refreshes

From time to time we need a 'Pause' in our 'every day' routine.  We just hit the 'Pause' button last week and took a day trip to the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock to see the Coca-Cola Exhibit.  We were not disappointed.  We got to see some iconic Coca-Cola original paintings and take a trip down memory lane.  We grew up in the 'Pause that Refreshes' Coke era.  It was an apt name for our trip. Come join us on our tour!

From Then:

To Now:

Installation on 2nd Floor
Using 3-D printing technology
800 of the deconstructed interpretation
of the Coca-Cola Bottle Shape were
hung from the ceiling.
We could see it from the 1st floor
looking up and the 2nd floor.

More: 'To Now' on the 3rd Floor:

A tie using the Coke bottle shape
and one little Coke bottle on
one of the stripes

Installation of large acrylic Coke bottle
in sections.  There was a viewer to
look through and see it
put together.  I couldn't see it
through the viewer , but
my camera did a pretty good job.
Don't you think?

THE END OF OUR 'PAUSE' AND WE ARE REFRESHED!

Virginia 25 of 50*

Number 25  of 50 States*- Half Way there

I have been to Virginia numerous times.  It is one of my favorite states.  I once said "if I could live anywhere else besides Arkansas, I would live in Virginia." The country side is very much like Arkansas with shaded lanes, small towns, and a lot of trees.  

Last time: 2013
On the way to Maine
and back to Arkansas
Chuck's first time-
My third time!

Of course, the main draw is the history; especially, Monticello.  I have been to Monticello at least three times that I can document.  I think I must have lived there in a past life!

Taken from the back lawn
Second Time (1974 not sure of date):
International Banking Workshop
University of Virginia
Side Trip to Monticello

First Time:
September, 1973
on the way home from
Vacation to Disney World

From the back
Photo had a little mishap!

Front of Vintage Postage
Jefferson's bed and desk

Back of vintage card (above)
Mailed on Third trip

*For "new to my blog" friends...on May 17, 2010, I visited Wisconsin.

I can now say that I have been in, to or through all 50 United States.

I am committed to make an Artist Trading Card "ATC" for each of

the 50 States.