Tales from the Corners

In the past, Arkansas has been associated with an image of swamps and humidity. Fortunately, that negative reputation isn't the least bit true. Arkansas' climate is mild and its scenery is beyond graceful. From north to south and east to west, from cosmopolitan Little Rock to Hot Springs and all the outlying areas, Arkansas is an affordable summer trip that is filled with impressive sites worth seeing. An unspoiled natural wonder A trip through the Ozarks in northern Arkansas will show you that the state is full of natural wonders. One, the Buffalo National River, is so alluring it has merited a "National Geographic" piece. The river cascades through geological rock including sandstone, chert and limestone. Speaking of limestone, the Blanchard Springs Caverns in the Ozarks National Forest is buried beneath layers of it. The caverns are formed in a three-level system, but only two are accessible to the public. If you're seeking a respite from the summer...

I had a few moments to upload more of my Arkansas material. Be sure to visit my Men's Traveler site http://www.menstraveler.com to view even more photos in my Arkansas article. Stained glass ceiling at the Fordyce Bathhouse in Hot Springs. Here are some more photos from the recent SATW chapter meeting in Little Rock: Musical entertainment at Little Rock's Peabody Hotel in their Riverview Room, a great facility for breakfast meetings.

Cathedral at Garvan Gardens Blackened Ribeye over Mashed Potatoes at Acadia in Midtown Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock rocks. That pretty much sums it up. This once-sleepy Arkansas town is booming with great shops, restaurants and world-class hotels. The folks at restaurants like Acadia, Ferneau, So and the Copper Grill and Grocery are incredibly talented. If you drive through or find yourself on a layover, make your way to the downtown area which features the Old Statehouse, the Peabody Hotel and the Clinton Presidential Library. Mary Beth Ringgold, one of the owner/chefs at Little Rock's Copper Grill and Grocery. Lil Arkansas girl at Copper Grill and Grocery. Home of the minor league Arkansas Travelers. Please visit Men's Traveler: http://menstraveler.com

I'm having a blast in Little Rock! This is a great walkable city with a "grid-like" pattern. In the heat of the day, I took a stroll over the bridge from the Peabody Hotel to North Little Rock, home to actor Ted ("Cheers") Danson's wife Mary Steenburgen. Later on in the day, the SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) group held their Marketplace at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. It is a massive shrine to the 42nd president. Tomorrow it's off to Hot Springs! Be sure to see my full stories on my new site: http://menstraveler.com

I just arrived in Little Rock on this rather hot and muggy day. The temperature is about the same as Atlanta. There is a breeze which makes it feel like the back end of an air conditioner unit. My American Eagle flight arrived without hassle into LR's aiport. The kind folks at the Convention and Visitor's Bureau had everything worked out. I was quickly whisked into downtown via limo service. LR is similar to the ATL in its look. Many downtown buildings are boarded up, but the difference here is that the city fathers are on the ground floor with a major renovation. I wish I could say the same for the ATL. OK, we do have some bright spots in ATL's downtown even with the reminder of March's tornado, but LR is off and running. I really think I'm going to enjoy my week here. In other news, please visit my main Men's Traveler site which is now up and running. After this trip, I will definitely have more material. Please visit: http://menstraveler.com

This Arkansas article is up and running at Men's Traveler I had a blast in Little Rock during my visit in June 2008.