Drron rambles around the USA

[drron]

Coming off the plane at C2 we turn right,up the escalator and via the moving footway to Terminal D.Quicker than the train.So not only do we make our plane we have time for 15 minutes in the AC.Important as we wanted to ring the HGI where we will be staying on our return as a parcel due to be delivered.Not only made the call,got our drink coupons and knocked back a sav Blanc each but got offered complimentary T mobile cards-didn't take it as all hotels we will be going to offer free internet.
To the gate and 2 FAs are missing-their connecting flight is missing.they arrive very soon after and boarding is on time.however once boarded we wait as they are waiting for connecting baggage.
AA2162.DFW-BNA.ETD-1340.ETA-1550.Pushback-1405.At gate 1605.
Just over an hours flight so no meal-just drinks and nuts.Now QF do do better on these short flights-eg SYD-BNE or MEL.However this flight has one of those AA gems-FA Brian.Interacts with virtually all pax on boarding.When door closes wishes happy Birthday to the woman in 11D.Then asks everyone to show appreciation to the serving personnel on board.His service is efficient,friendly and the whole F cabin is commenting on the service.has a long chat with mrsdrron and she gets another wine without having to ask.I had no hesitation emailing AA customer service with my praise.
On arrival at BNA our bags are last off,though baggage was out very quickly.Once again at the Dollar counter we are hit with the bring it back empty but the fellows here really are pleasant and do admit it is just the company policy.We do get our booked car-Chevvy Impala-good because it takes all our luggage in the boot.Then off to the Sheraton downtown,review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ews/sheraton-nashville-downtown-tn-25637.html
Not very impressed but it was a free night.Now the lounge wasn't much as is typical in North America,Opryland and Opry Mills were still closed from the floods earlier in the year so we took a drive east on I40 to a small outlet at Lebanon.Not really worth it.An Outback Steakhouse is nearby.i have the Prime Rib and mrsdrron has the Pork chop.Both very good.back to the hotel and we crash,not waking until 0800.
Next-Little Rock.

 

[somebol]

drron, how long was your trip in US?

 

[ellen10]

Enjoying your trip report. What did Mrs Drron buy at all thode outlets?

 

[ellen10]

Whoops slip of the keyboard I meant 'those'

 

[drron]

thanks for the comments.
Somebol-the trip was 25 days.
ellen10-everything but the kitchen sink!Ended up with 45KG of extra luggage-mainly clothes and shoes-some of which were for the grandkids!But probably time for some more shopping hints.To track down those factory outlets,search here-
Welcome To Outlet Bound - Online Guide To Factory Outlet Stores & Outlet Centers
Remember your RACQ card etc will get discounts at some outlets including Gap-10%.Reebok,Rockport-20%.
For up market gear Saks Off 5th have a free rewards program and you get emails with discount coupons.Join up here-
Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth - More
You can also do this with Polo-
Ralph Lauren Stores?
Also Van Heusen-I like their non crease,stain free shirts-great for travelling-
IZOD Rewards. Van Heusen Rewards. Bass Rewards.
Back later tonight with some more travel.

 

[drron]

After waking and packing we once again tried to get to the lounge of the Sheraton Downtown-still couldn't so we missed breakfast.A drive down I40 to Memphis.Getting ready for the cotton harvest.Unfortunately roadworks near Jackson take a while to get through so only a short stop for gas and a quick lunch in Memphis-we have stayed before and visited Gracelands-after all we did reconfim our vows at the Gracelands wedding chapel in Vegas.Still remember the free Coors brewery tour too.
arrived at the HGI North Little Rock a bit after 1600.Unpacked and off to the nearby mall.Now Little Rock is the head office of Dillards-mrsdrron's favourite department store.Luggage is on sale so we buy a new 4 wheeler-very light and still fits in the boot with all our others.For HGI reviews look here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....views/hilton-garden-inn-a-sampling-25766.html
After shopping it was Red Lobster for dinner-I had the all you can eat shrimp for $16.
now in Arkansas nothing much happens on Sundays and the Bill Clinton Presidential Library only opens at 1300.so we did a little drive around.Went to Burns Park.A real oasis-weather is hot and humid ~98F.Here there is even a cricket oval and rugby fields.Went to the visitor centre and find we are the second lot of Australians this year to visit.Also in the park an old covered bridge-

We got to Bill's Library a little early so instead of waiting outside in the heat we went downstairs to their restaurant and had drinks.Great to sit in the Aircon.Found they do a Sunday Brunch-looked great and only $23.95 but we weren't feeling hungry.
So a few shots of Bill's place-

The view to downtown.

Next-Bill's Library.

 

[drron]

I thoroughly reccomend visits to Presidential libraries.The only ones we haven't been to from FDR on are Reagan,Nixon and Eisenhower.We have also visited the homes of 10 earlier presidents.Some of the libraries are free and some charge.Bill Clinton's does charge-$7 for adults but as I am over 62 I got in for $5.Well worth it though I did think this time there was more effort put into enhancing Bill's reputation than explaining the various policies and incidents of the Presidency.

.

Naturally I could see myself fitting in-

Every library has the Oval office as it was set up in the Preidency-

And display gifts given to the president-now where did this come from-

and our little souvenir-a napkin-

next-the Rock Island Line.

 

[drron]

Right outside the Library is this impressive old railroad bridge.from the signs it was part of the Rock Island Line-a mighty fine line from the song-

Of course mrsdrron takes much more artistic shots-

There is also the old station that has been restored as offices for the Bill Clinton Global Initiative-

we then went down to the riverbank which is a pleasant area-unfortunately being Sunday nearly everything was closed.There was however a "Paint Arkansas Red Party"going on.Yes political.
Even though Little Rock is far from the sea you can tour a submarine here-the Razorback which served from 1944 to 1970 and then in the Turkish navy until 2001.

But once again mrsdrron is much more artistic in her river shot-

Enjoyed Little Rock.That night we went to Texas Roadhouse-a really cheap steakhouse chain.A meatatarians paradise.I had the pulled pork and ribs combo for $14 and mrsdrron had the very large pork chop for $9.The meat was very good.
Next-off to Bentonville.

 

[drron]

Monday and it was west on I40,sometimes detouring onto Hway 64 to go through some of the towns and views of the Arkansas River-

Texas is not far away.

A weir and lock on the Arkansas river.
Then up highway 71 to Bentonville through the Ozarks but detouring to the Prairie Grove Civil War Battlefield-the largest battle in Arkansas.

you can always tell a civil war site with the fencing.

Our trusty conveyance.

and drron at the site of the Confederate batteries-the yankees charged across these fields,several hundred dying.
Stayed at the HGI bentonville.Dinner at the Texas Land and Cattle company-a good steakhouse.mrsdrron fillet steak and I smoked sirloin-both very good.
next-the reason for coming to Bentonville.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Enjoying your trip report. What did Mrs Drron buy at all thode outlets?

ellen10 I have a black belt in shopping

 

[Keith009]

ellen10 I have a black belt in shopping

Let's have a shopping duel sometime.

 

[drron]

Let's have a shopping duel sometime.

That could be interesting!
But talk of shopping is the perfect lead in for this next segment.Bentonville is of course the birthplace of WalMart.

This is the first store owned by Mr sam.A museum now but being renovated at the present so only a limited display but still very interesting.The brothers were obviously very down to earth fellows and Sam Walton kept his F100 so he could take his dogs hunting.Said they would look a little silly in a Rolls Royce.
Bentonville is obviously a busy area though the old CBD hasn't changed much.Lots of hotels and obviously good occupancy with suppliers and WalMart staff visiting Head Office.
Over the road from the WalMart museum is a nice little Town square with this statue erected early last century.

The inscriptions on it let you know the South really didn't lose in the minds of most people from round these parts-

I'm not sure if you can read the inscription but it is-their names are borne on honors shield,their record is with god.
We then drove east past another Civil war battlefield-Pea ridge then up I540/hway 71 into Missouri before heading east on route 76 to Branson.Through farmlands and National forest but a very winding road.plenty of wildlife including an armadillo-unfortunately it was road kill.But eagles,buzzards and many different birds.
A late afternoon arrival into Branson and before checking in it was a stop at the factory outlets.:shock:
Branson next.

 

[ellen10]

ha ha Mrs drron

I'm impressed! Your shopping trips sound like well organised plans of attack.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

ha ha Mrs drron

I'm impressed! Your shopping trips sound like well organised plans of attack.

But we do other things than shop ! I think I have been to ALL the major civil war battle fields, 100s of national parks, driven route 66, the Mall of America ......

 

[ellen10]

Yes I am enjoying your trip report and photos. Great time to be travelling in the US and of course the Aus dollar value helps those "side trips".

We went there a couple of times with our boys and the shopping was fantastic. Had to purchase an extra suitcase. Those outlets in the middle of the desert were amazing.

Haven't been to the East Coast (other than New York) so a trip there is definitely on "the list".

Enjoy your travels

 

[drron]

In Branson we stopped at the new Hilton Promenade which is in a mall.review here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....eviews/hilton-promenade-branson-mo-25791.html
the view out our window-

Though we were close to the lake,just couldn't see it-

How do you describe Branson.Best I can come up with is Vegas for bogans,good ole mountain boys and nursing home residents.guess i fit in.On the bill were Bill Haley's original Comets with Paul Revere's raiders-unfortunately we arrived after 3pm when their only show of the day starts-see Sam not everyone stays up late.Next week Tony Orlando and Andy Williams were coming-the 2 shows we saw on our first visit to Vegas 30 years ago-and Andy Williams was well past his prime then!
For dinner we went to the White River Fish Company-

We started wit alligator tail-chewy and like overcooked calamari-plus a smoked fish dip that was delicious.Mrsdrron had coconut prawns and I blackened catfish-both were OK.We took the leftovers and fed the ducks and geese on the way back to the hotel-

Also stopped for the sound and light show they did on the waterfront-

The next morning after our meagre brekkie we set off for Jonesboro,AK.Followed highways 65,62 and 63.Detoured through several small towns including historic Hardy.Mrsdrron felt like an icecream so we wet into this place serving icecream,walked round and round and nearly 10 minutes later walked out without seeing anybody.So then on to the HI Jonesboro.
The pleasures of a dry county next.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Great TR...



Hey..they look just like the J seats on the SQ A380....

.

 

[drron]

Our first experience of Jonesboro was good-they had 2 frozen custard outlets and with the temperature in the high 90s this was great.Frozen custard is just so much richer than ordinary ice cream-very yummy.We then went and walked around their brand new mall-air conditioned so good exercise.
We had looked up restaurants in the phone book and saw a few of the chain restaurants were inside a private club and you had to pay a $5 membership fee-we thought that was a little silly-well no if you want a drink in Jonesboro that is what you have to do.We ended up in a Colton's Steakhouse-were in most of the small towns round these parts.not reccomended.I had a ribeye-a little tough,mrsdrron had the ribs-a little spicier than she likes them and also tough-not the usual fall off the bone ribs we are used to.So we had another frozen custard on the way back to the HI.
The next morning we were surprised.The HI had a much better selection than is the usual-5 juices,scrambled eggs which didn't taste plastic,sausages,potatoes and a waffle maker.
Then it was a leisurely drive to Clarksville,TN first through the Mississipi flats of AK and MS.Cotton harvesting in full swing.Over the Mississipi and into TN and the geography changes-more hilly.First signs of Autumn appearing.lots of Confederate flags.cross the Tennessee river and pass some lakes before making a stop at another Civil War battlefield-Fort Donelson on the coughberland river.The Union's first major victory under Ulysses S Grant.

Grant sent the gunboats down the river but as you can see the Rebs had good gun positions and the troops then had to come overland.

though they also had casualties.

The lower battery.

We then did the marked drive that marked the campaign and the Cemetry-next.

 

[drron]

Of course there was the obligatory fencing-

And the confederate memorial-

And the marker for the cemetry-

And the original cemetery office and caretakers cottage.
Then a short hop into Clarksville(Not by the last train)and checked into the HGI which appeared very new-and staff who were very informative-all the new HGIs have only showers in the king rooms.if you want a tub book the double queen rooms.This was also the first place(and only)that had an in room safe.
Once again went to the mall.I had a 70% off coupon for Borders(reminder sign up for their frequent readers club and you frequently get such offers) and so got Tony Blair's recent book.mrsdrron still found things in Dillards that she wanted!
After that it was Red Lobster for dinner-and yes we still had $4 off mains coupons.
Next-back to BNA and off to DFW.

 

[Meggsy]

Great TR Drron

Loving every word of it. Keep it coming