Lttle Rock, Arkansas where I stayed, in May, 2007, offers the Parade of Mallard Ducks every morning at 11:00 am, and again at 5:00 pm when they retire. The story goes that in the 40s, two luckless duck hunters checked into the Peabody in Memphis and proceded to drown their sorrows in the bar. Quite tight, they headed to their room to sleep it off, and threw their live Mallard decoys into the fountain in the hotel lobby to keep for the overnight. The next morning when they went down to retrieve their decoys, they found a swarm of curious onlookers surrounding the fountain.

The manager of the hotel said "This is the best marketing ploy we've ever had." And thus the ducks became a permanent part of Peabody Hotel history in Memphis followed by the Peabodys in Orlando and Little Rock. The ducks, one drake and four females are housed in ' Duck Penthouses at each hotel. An official looking man in red jacket, with gold braid and epaulets brings them down the elevator to the lobby each morning-where they get on a red carpet and march up the steps into the fountain. They remain there until 5 pm, when they are marched, again on the red carpet, back into the elevator and to their $90, 000 digs high in the hotel. The ducks on view are decendents of the original ducks at the Memphis P:eabody Needless-to-say, the Peabody Hotels don't offer duck on the menu in any of their restaurants! It's thought perhaps, the term "Lucky Duck' originated with the Peabody Hotels.

Plus the ducks, a stay at the Little Rock Peabody, in the heart of downtown, offers a great respite while on your visit to this capital city.. The hotel is state-of-the art, with beautifully appointed rooms and public areas. The coffee bar right off the lobby helps get you started early in the a.m.

Little Rock, AS

In the last few weeks my travels have taken me deep into the heart of the USA In my opinion, Arkansas is one of our country's best kept secrets! So state-of-the art, yet steeped in Old South heritage, Civil War history and where, as the Fort Smith locals say, 'the New South meets the Old West.' And, Yes, there is' le petite roche" in Little Rock. Bill Clinton's vision of his Presidential library in Little Rock is 'a bridge to the 21st Century.' yet the 20th Century and his years in office represented within are detailed and inspiring, done with a human touch that makes it all seem warm and welcoming. And just maybe, a touch of Country.

A stop at the Old Mill in North Little Rock summons visions of the opening scenes of GONE WITH THE WIND where this structure was featured. It is the only remaining building of this film and on the 50th anniversary of the movie a commemorative stamp was issued in its honor. Also stop at Central High School, site of desegregation seige in 1957. The Mobil Gas Station across the street, where media had one pay phone between them to call in the daily news remains. Incidentally, gas was 22-1/2 cents per gallon in those days.

Little Rock is also headquarters for Heifer International the organization that is successfully working to end hunger, poverty and suffering around the globe. The 45 minute trip out to their farm shows how it all works with their 7 Ms: Milk, Money,Manure, Muscle, Meat, Material and Motivation. Guaranteed to inspire and turn one into a donor. Buy a goat and help make a family self-sustaining.

In northwestern Arkansas, land of Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods, Fayetteville and Ft.. Smith are noteworthy spots. Plan at least a couple days to soak up the sights here. Headquarter at Inn at Carnall Hall, in Fayetteville. This historic building was originally the first residence hall on the University of Arkansas campus. But don't think dormitory now---it is luxury living. Make time to drive the Butterfield Stagecoach Route which winds through the area, or visit the Arkansas Air Museum, a showcase of aviation history. Civil war buffs, or just the regular visitor can visualize the fight while touring Pea Ridge National Military Park with one of the park's educated rangers.

Ft. Smith is like a time warp---definitely Frontier.You have to meet Miss Laura, aka Carolyn Joyce. who plays her role as the famous brothel madam to the hilt and is the main hostess at Miss Laura's, which is restored, and now the Ft. Smith Visitor's Center. Miss Laura's favorite saying is "Our Brothel Still Takes Care of Visitors!" The Belle Grove area, a part of the National Historic Places since the 1970s, has over 40 restored homes that span 130 years of architectural styles. This town is also known for its frontier jail, "Hell on the Border" and the Hangin' Judge. Before you leave Ft. Smith, do dine (either lunch or dinner) at Rolando's in the heart of downtown. The nuevo Latino food is scrumptious. Suggest you eat in the har where bartender Troy Anderson mixes the fanciest of drinks---the Mojito, one of Ernest Hemingway's favorites, is one of his specialities.

My Mission: Go back to Arkansas and totally immerse myself in the history and heritage, the scenic southern part of the state, and Eureka Springs and the mountain view, where they say, 'Ozark splendor is preserved.'

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