Searching for an Android

Finally the weather and a day off coincided and I was able to go for a ride. I had plans on going for a day ride to Mena but there was something else I wanted to do. I recently bought a small touch screen cell phone and the keyboard was way to small . I became obsessed with replacing it, so I returned the small phone and went on an Android hunt. As luck would have it, the nearest Walmart with a Straight Talk LG Optimus Q was in Little Rock, so that's the direction I went in my quest for a better cell phone.
Last Thursday I loaded up and set out for Little Rock. I don't care for the Interstate, if I can bypass it. Luckily this trip was on  roads I've ridden many times and I always enjoy the ride. I started on Hwy 64 East to Morrilton, there I took Hwy 9 South. After crossing the Arkansas River and passing through the flat agricultural area I pulled through Oppelo.
The two pictures above and below are opposite sides of the road after coming uphill from the agricultural fields and arriving at Oppelo.

Continuing South on hwy 9, I crossed the Fourche Lafave River bridge and the Railroad tracks which at one time were the life of Perry, Ar. Hwy 10 goes West here, I kept on Hwy 9/10 South. After gaining some elevation and having fun on some curves I pulled into Perryville, the Seat of Perry County. I changed my routine here, I usually just breeze right on through but today I went exploring. I had never wondered where the County court house was but today I did and I found it and more.

Big old brick Court House.

Quite a history this spot has had.

The guy that takes care of the lawn, taking a break in the abundant shade from all the old Oak trees.

Strange, this Courthouse is just two blocks off the highway and I never knew it was here.
Across from the Court House is the Perry County Museum in an old rock house. I didn't have the time today but I'll return to check it out and then update this post. Amazing, another small town with a museum and Russellville still doesn't have one. Russellville and Pope County are rich in history and historical spots, but who knows and who really cares. The Art Center of Russellville is the old rock swimming pool building, I guess thats something, even though it's proabably 1200 square feet total and once again, who cares right?

The Heifer Ranch just South of Perryville. They give tours which I've been on and they're really interesting. Here's a link talking about the place.
http://arkansasroadstories.com/heifer.html
They also have a bunk building for school overnight outings.

Everytime I stopped, this Camel would come walking up to me. I don't know what he was wanting, but having experiance with them during the Persian Gulf War and not wanting to get spit on that day, I kept my distance.

Handsome guy, nice profile but not what a Saudi Arabian would call beautiful. They like them with really big droopy lips and big round eyes. Camel beauty contests are a big deal there.

A couple of old Water Buffalo. I ate a lot of Water Buffalo in South East Asia during the Vietnam War, good stuff, tastes like Beef.

I came in Peace I leave in Peace.

Something I've never seen before.

A Volkswagon made into a flower pot.

After getting back on the highway, I flew through Thornburg. South of Thornburg there is a beautiful view of the Quachita Forest and the Wonona Wildlife Management Area to the South. I arrived at Williams Junction, a store where Hwy 9 continues on South to Perot and Benton and 10 goes East towards Little Rock. Soon the Forest gave way to paper company lands and a lot of barren landscapes.

Lake Maulmelle was next and a pretty lake it is.

The Boat Dock with an abundance of Sail Boats.
I arrived at Chenal Parkway Walmart, where I was told I could find the Android I was looking for and lo and behold there it was. I purchased it then went out and sit under a shade tree for a break and put the phone together. You know how it is when you get a knew toy, I couldn't wait to play with it.

When I left Little Rock I retraced my route except that on the West end of Maulmelle Lake I made a right on Hwy 113 and went on the ride to Bigelow. This ride is really curvy with a few long straight spots. The curves are worth the trip and so are the straights. I call them roller coaster straights because of the hills in them. On the way I made a detour to Little Italy by taking a right on Hwy 300. You can go all the way to Little Rock on 300 passing Pennacle Mountain State Park but I just turned around and went back to 113 and on to Bigelow.

This is the reason I took the detour to Little Italy... its only six miles there and back but your under a canopy of tree limbs riding through the tunnel most of the way. An awesome ride.

Back on the road to Bigelow. This is one of the straight way roller coasters. I went on and passed through Houston, then making a right onto Hwy 9, I crossed the Arkansas River bridge. Zach lives in Morrilton, so I stopped for a cold drink and to show off my Android. Zach wanted to go on the ride that day but had a dental appointment. I kind of like telling about my rides when he can't make it, a little rubbing it in never hurt anyone :).