We're off on a Road Trip

Jo Anne got to Sunset about 7 pm yesterday (Sunday). We got to bed at a decent time, but since neither of us slept well last night, we were out the door and headed east at 6:30 this morning.

at just after 10 am, we entered Arkansas

made a pit stop at the Arkansas visitor center

then stopped for lunch at a mexican food restaurant at Caddo Valley

It was so brightly painted that it was a shock to the eyes after driving for hours in the rain.

I had the fajita salad

Jo Anne had the ranchero special w/chicken

We were only 3 miles from the Mississippi River so decided to cross the river into Mississippi.

then back to Arkansas

The Mississippi River is affected by tides. Today's low tide was shortly before we crossed the river, with a water level of 0.03 feet.

We took a little drive through historic downtown Helena-West Helena.

In 2017, sweet potatoes had a rebirth on the Williams farm, but this time with innovation that served to reinvent the operation once again. After a conversation with his brother Kennard, Harvey Jr. became intrigued by the idea of crafting a vodka from their sweet potatoes. After nearly three years and a lot of trial and error, Harvey, his wife Donna and their son Thomas released Sweet Blend Vodka - produced from a unique mix of distilled sweet potatoes and corn. It was quickly recognized as an exceptional vodka and was validated with top awards in U.S. and international competitions. With its enticing aroma and delightfully smooth taste, Delta Dirt’s Sweet Blend proves that amazing is possible when families persevere through the present and innovate for the future. Delta Dirt is the only black-owned farm-to-bottled distillery in the United States. They won prestigious platinum honors at 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2023 it was named the world's best vodka.

The restored 1912 Union Pacific railroad station opened in 1990 as the initial building to house the Delta Cultural Center. The Depot, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, serves as a museum and features exhibits and hosts numerous events. The rich history of the Arkansas Delta is brought to life in the many exhibits and educational programs.

Our stop for today is in Helena-West Helena Arkansas. For generations, Helena’s Civil War history has focused on the seven Confederate generals from the town, most notably General Cleburne, and the July 1863 Battle of Helena. Three of these generals’ headstones can be viewed in Helena’s Maple Hill and Confederate Cemeteries. While this is an important part of the community’s history, in 2008 a Civil War Helena Interpretive Plan was developed that revealed that Helena had a much richer Civil War story than anyone had known.

The plan identified 25 sites throughout Helena that provided an opportunity for interpretation and exhibits. The community is currently in the process of developing all 25 sites, with 40 interpretive panels already in place throughout the downtown area at sites including Fort Curtis, a ¾ replica Union earthworks fort. These sites tell the stories of life under Union occupation, thousands of freed slaves, and the formation of United States Colored Troop regiments – in addition to continuing to tell about the Battle of Helena and the area’s Confederate generals.

Helena is one of the most compelling sites in the nation to learn about African American experiences during the war. General Curtis’ march from southern Missouri to Helena, Arkansas in 1862. Freedom Park, located on the site of a former contraband site, is dedicated to interpreting these experiences and is the first location in Arkansas designated by the National Park Service as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.

We kept seeing these ivy covered mountains along the road. This is one of four earthen batteries erected by the Union army in 1862. It briefly fell to the Confederates during the battle of Helena on July 4, 1863.

Our lodging in Helena is The Edwardian Inn. 

It is an outstanding example of fine homes that were built in Helena around the turn of the century and feels as if you are steppping back in time. Built in 1904, quarter-sawn oak paneling is used extensively throughout the house, and may have come from the 24 sawmills that were in the area at the time. Expert craftsmen in Chicago made the nine original mantels in the house. Eight of them remain in place with the ninth being used as the front desk for the inn. The stairway is of oak and is in excellent condition, with the applied carving and mill work coming from Chicago.

The first floor is noted for the beautiful German wood carpeting which was imported during construction. The detail work in the flooring is outstanding and features numerous different types of woods. Most of the door and window hardware is original to the house as are the transoms above the doors and on the front and side entrances.

I couldn't decide which sunset picture I liked best so put all three of them in.

Tomorrow we are traveling the Crowley Ridge Scenic Byway on our way to Missouri.