Bridges, Trolleys and a Whole Lot of Walking

Today we decided to walk across the Junction Bridge which meant taking the river walk on our side of the river down past the submarine museum (closed because of being flooded) and the Mark Twain River Boat (closed) but past a whole series of painted walls representing some of the history of the area.

As well as this monument to peace and hope

with this explanation

We crossed the rather unique walking Junction Bridge that requires you to take an elevator up to the middle section and then back down on the other side of the middle so it can be high enough for boat traffic at all times. This bridge can actually be rented and used for a special event.

At the base of the bridge on the opposite side is LaPetite Rock - part of the rocky area that was part of the original landing for settlers. It was an area identified by its smaller rocks and thus the name Little Rock was given to the city that eventually grew here.  This is Ken by a piece of "the"  little rock.

Several rocks placed around this beautifully landscaped area had plaques on them telling  a bit more about the growth of the area.

We then walked a short distance to a trolley stop where we could catch the trolley that runs through the downtown area across a bridge to the North Little Rock convention center and surrounding area and back so we could see the whole area and hear commentary about it.

By the time we'd done the full "tour" we were ready for a bite to eat so decided to check out the Flying Fish which appeared to be a very popular place with the locals.  Right after we stepped inside the rains came with a vengence so our timing was perfect and the fish meals good ones.

Once we were done the rain had turned into spit so we walked the couple of blocks of shops and restaurants to this Japanese Gate which caught our eye on our trolley tour.

It was the entry point to a beautiful garden with this note about the gate itself.

Since our nine year old grandson just earned his black belt in TaeKwonDo, we had a real interest in checking out this memorial area especially when we knew his teacher goes by the name of Master Lee.  What a beautiful spot right in the middle of downtown

We were first greeted by two students bowing in respect

Then we came upon this statue dedicated to Master Lee and the founding members of his form of TaeKwonDo.

This was his staff of the flying dragon with an explanation of what it represents written below.

This is one of two Harubang statues in the garden with an explanation behind them written below.

The beautiful fountain in the center had this explanation plaque attached to it. (The fountain can be seen in the full picture above of the garden area.)

From there we walk two blocks to the history museum

That consisted of these log buildings all part of a homestead probably first built by a freed black who then had to abandon it when Arkansas became a slave state and any black even if free could be caught and sold back into slavery......

plus several early buildings including a home and a general store with a newspaper press on the second floor all run by the same person.....

and some displays indoors primarily of artwork showing the lifestyle of the early to mid 1800s along with a large room telling about the culture of the local Indians.

We then climbed aboard another trolley and took it to the Clinton School of Public Service which resides in an old train station. It is near the Clinton Library and the bridge needed for our walk home 

Shortly after we returned the rains came once again. Perfect timing once again!!