LITTLE ROCK, AR

The swamplands of this eastern portion of Arkansas share the “Cajun” feel of much of present-day Louisiana. The French heritage is also prominent in road-sign names like DeValls Bluff, Bayou des Arc and La Petite Roche, or Little Rock. As you approach the capital of Arkansas, I-40 slowly rises out of the bayous and thick forests encroach upon the road.

Little Rock, AR

 

www.littlerock.com

Before you get too far into Little Rock, take a quick detour to Old Mill, (see directions below).

This historic piece of Little Rock is  breathtakingly beautiful, a whimsical wonderland, ideal for a quick stretch of the legs or an extended walk around the nearby lake.

*** A little note about the site:  the Old Mill was actually built in 1933 as part of the movie set for Gone with the Wind.

www.northlittlerock.ar.gov/visitor/old-mill.asp
 

Directions: 

Exit 153A, go north on highway 107. Take a right onto EH Avenue. Then, left onto Avondale Rd./Fairway Ave. At Lakeshore Drive, you’ll turn right and will see the Old Mill park on your left.

The park is decorated with sculptures of toadstools, tree stumps, and a tree branch-entwined bridge that connects the mill to the rest of the park. The detailed concrete pieces were created by Señor Dionico Rodriguez, a sculptor and artist of Mexico City.

After marveling at the Old Mill, follow I-30 over the river and walk along the River Market District.

Number one lunch choice is The Flying Fish,

511 President Clinton Ave Little Rock, AR 72201;

(501) 375-3474

where you can catch a basket of oysters or other fresh bounty of the day.  

Eateries abound, but the indoor food court at River Market has an eclectic assortment of options.

You can also rent bikes there; go for a ride along the new River Trail (17 miles of walking and cycling trails).

Behind River Market (and directly behind the LaHarpe’s Landing)) you’ll find the History Pavilion.

www.rivermarket.info

Read about the history of Little Rock and the state of Arkansas in this great open-air exhibit.

Children can let loose on the playground equipment nearby.

Learn more about Little Rock and early French settlement while meandering along the path at the base of Junction Bridge (retrofitted from a railroad bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use).

Lovely landscaping accentuates the historical plaques which are set

in actual rock.

La Petite Roche

 

 Jean-Baptiste Benard de La Harpe, a French officer and trader, was the first European explorer to record the existence of two distinct rock formations which he named La Grande Roche and La Petite Roche.

   

He based a trading post near the smaller formation, next to a Quapaw Indian settlement.

Early ferry service was provided for travelers along the Southwest Trail (as early as 1812) at the “Point of Rocks."  This rock outcropping, which afforded a natural landing for boats, was known to explorers as the "Little Rock." 

 

 

An excellent way to get a feel for the downtown area of Little Rock is to hop a Trolley.

The route, designed specifically for tourists, follows a 25-minute loop through downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock.

 The trolley driver will point out important buildings and points of interest while you sit back and enjoy the scenery from inside a beautiful, replica vintage trolley (cost $1/person; trolley stops are marked and even provide the time of next trolley). Your trolley guide is a wealth of information and will be happy to offer tips on places to eat or stay.

While on the trolley route north of the river, keep an eye out for Baker House, the best place to stay in Little Rock.

 

 Adorned with beautiful curly pine woodwork throughout, the inn is filled with sturdy antiques and comfortable kings to stretch out in. Choose the Matthews Suite, located in the tower. Enjoy a full, homemade breakfast served up with plenty of lively conversation with your host and other guests. This is what inns are all about!

Baker House, an elegant Victorian with plenty of Southern charm, is the perfect place to camp for the night. Set in the vibrant Argenta Historic District of North Little Rock, you’ll find a large variety of restaurants and local attractions within walking distance.

www.bakerhousenlr.com

Rates from $89, #501-372-9930

 

Hit Cajun’s Wharf for a most memorable meal!

 

Celebrate the Louisiana Purchase at this riverside restaurant that captures the spirit and flavor of the territory.
 

www.cajunswharf.com

 

Start with an order of Oysters Bienville. Whether you’re sitting in the main floor dining room or up on the rooftop deck, you’ll love the grand view of the Arkansas River at sunset while you sample this amazing appetizer. While the Cedar Plank Salmon is highly recommended, your server can help you choose your perfect meal. In the mood for a steak? Ask for the Filet Oscar (not listed on the menu). Either pairs well with a bottle of Block 9 Pinot Noir and signature sides Yellow Pepper Grits and Bourbon Cream Corn. Whether you’ve saved room or not, ask for an order of the Chocolate Crème Brule; it will melt in your mouth!

 

Before you trail blaze on out of Little Rock, make sure you take a moment to explore the outstanding MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

 which hosts a wealth of military history—diverse in historical context and exhibition.

MacArthur Museum

“The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.” (President Calvin Coolidge)

www.arkmilitaryheritage.com

Room for one more meal?

Make it a plate of tacos at Little Rock’s trendiest new Mexican eatery, the Local Lime! Known for its top-notch margaritas and sangria of the day, homemade salsa and mix-n-match tacos. For $2.50, you can choose three different kinds of salsa, ranging from Verde Tomatillo to Tres Chiles—which has a wonderful smoky flavor.   www.locallimetaco.com

Detour ahead:  Well worth the side-trip, make a point of stopping at Petit Jean State Park (Exit 108 at Morrilton and follow signs).   www.petitjeanstatepark.com

Enjoy the enchanting woodlands, admire the legacy of Civilian Conservation Corps—they built many of the facilities mirroring the mountain’s rugged natural beauty, and take the short hike to magical 95-foot Cedar Falls.
Over lunch at Mather Lodge, read the romantic legend of Petit Jean, a French girl who disguised herself as a boy so that she could secretly accompany her sweetheart, an early explorer, to the New World and to this mountain. Take in the scenic view of Cedar Creek Canyon from the 1960s-era dining room featuring Adirondack-style décor. Afterwards, cruise over to the Museum of Automobiles donated by the Rockefellers with its unique collection of automotive heritage!
 

LEGEND OF PETIT JEAN AND FRENCH EXPLORATION

 

The Legend of Petit Jean, and how the mountain received its name, begins in the 1700s with the story of a young French Nobleman, Chavet, who lived during the period of the French exploration of the New World. He requested permission to explore a part of the Louisiana Territory, and for a grant to claim part of the land. The King granted Chavet approval.

Chavet was engaged to be married to a beautiful young girl from Paris, Adrienne Dumont. When told of his plans, she asked that they be married right away so she could accompany him. Thinking of the hardship and danger on the journey, Chavet refused her request, telling her upon his return if the country was good and safe, they would be married and go to the New World.

Adrienne refused to accept his answer, and disguised herself as a cabin boy and applied to the captain of Chavet's ship for a position as a cabin boy, calling herself Jean. The girl must have been incredibly clever in her disguise, for it is said that not even Chavet recognized her. The sailors called her Petit Jean, which is French for Little John.

The ocean was crossed in early spring; the vessel ascended the Mississippi River to the Arkansas River, to the foot of the mountain. The Indians on the mountain came to the river and greeted Chavet and invited the sailors to spend time on the mountain. Chavet, Petit Jean, and the sailors spent the summer atop Petit Jean Mountain until fall approached and they began preparations for their voyage back to France. The ship was readied and boarded the evening before departure.

That night, Petit Jean became ill with a sickness that was strange to Chavet and his sailors. It was marked with fever, convulsions, delirium, and finally coma. Her condition was so grave at daylight that the departure was delayed. During the illness, Petit Jean's identity was, of course, discovered. The girl confessed her deception to Chavet and begged his forgiveness. She requested that if she died, to be carried back to the mountaintop that she had spent her last days on, and be buried at a spot overlooking the river below. The Indians made a stretcher out of deerskins and bore her up the mountain. At sundown, she died.

Many years later a low mound of earth was found at the point we now call Petit Jean's Grave. Her death, and the legend that followed, is said to give the mountain and the overlook an enchanting quality that draws visitors back again, and again.              (Petit Jean State Park website)

The park is also home to one of the largest bluff shelters in the state.

Native Americans living here over a thousand years ago left behind pictographs painted with minerals from local rocks.

Arkansas Wine Country:

 

Head north to catch I-40 and meander west along the scenic Arkansas River Valley. 

In 1880, two European families settled here, attracted by its fertile sandy soil and moderate climate.

The two pioneers of the American wine industry were Jacob Post of Germany and Johann Wiederkehr of Switzerland.

You’ll love the friendly atmosphere of Wiederkehr Village where you can tour their wine cellars, dine at the restaurant, and sample some of the award-winning wines (Exit 41 at Altus). 

www.wiederkehrwines.com