After departing Paradise Produce, we had a leisurely few days getting to the next farm. We left early in the morn, in preparation for our one day, three-city tourist marathon of Hot Springs, Little Rock, and Memphis. The first stop was Hot Springs where we stocked up on bulk snacks at the health food store, and splurged on six fruit-juice sweetened yogurt-covered raisins. Before we left Hot Springs we filled up all the water containers we had with the legendary healing spring water.
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| Central HS |
Next we went to Little Rock and stopped to see the famous Central High School where the Little Rock 9 integrated. It was a beautiful day, and we decided to go to the visitor’s center before enjoying a picnic lunch on campus. We took our time looking at the exhibit, and we learned that all Little Rock schools were simply shut down for an entire year in an effort to stop integration, and that after the crises Little Rock businesses that did business out of state suffered because so many, especially in the North, had such a negative view of the city. Unbeknownst to us, Minnijean Brown’s daughter was actually at the visitor’s center the same time we were, which the docent later mentioned. While we were taking in the exhibit, it started thunderstorming, and by the time we went back to the car it was hailing. So much for our picnic. Instead we ate our lunch in the car, snapped a few pictures of the campus out the window, and headed out. It stormed most of the way to Memphis, though we drove into a sweet double rainbow for a good 20 minutes.
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| Slumbering Kudzu is still quite formidable |
In Memphis we had the good fortune of staying with a friend of a friend who was the best hostess two weary travelers could ask for. We got the flash tour of her Midtown neighborhood, ate some delicious spicy noodles, and crashed on a comfy futon. After a lazy morning we braved the brutal Memphis February (70 degrees and sunny) for lunch, and then set out for Broken Magnolia Farm. On our way out of Tennessee we passed by Graceland, and glimpsed several cars and planes out front that Elvis must have been in at some point. We decided to take the highway instead of the interstate, and got a feel for the kudzu-covered countryside of Mississippi.
Hi there Holly and Randy...I finally got caught up on your adventures, so very cool what you are doing, and sharing it with us. I'm glad that, like my son Tyler, you didn't get caught up in more college or jumping right into a job. Now is the perfect time to be doing what you are doing, exploring life and the world together...May all good things come your way...and keep your periodic posts coming...if i can't be doing it, I love reading about those who are...Robert
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ReplyDeleteHey Holly! I've really been loving reading about your farming adventures. It all sounds so interesting-- and like quite a lot of work too! We've come so far since our high school days at Eliot, it's simply mind blowing. I hope that you are finding these experiences meaningful, somewhat educational and very inspiring. This just seems perfect for you, and I am so happy that you are following your heart to do something that you care about. Take care of yourself and your boy and let me know if you're ever in San Francisco! Or maybe we'll see each other back in the STL some day. Who knows! Whatever adventures life throws our way, I know that I'll meet you further on up the road. Much love and many positive vibes-- Emily
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