The last day of November, 2011

My bad habits must be infecting Dan!  He didn't wake up much before I did and I am a night person.  We decided to stay around camp, have an early lunch and go the the Clinton Presidential Library.  It is the first one I have seen and I hope all others are as well done as it is.  The building is quite impressive; on the banks of the Arkansas River... (across from our camp site) and because of the work they have done and the green techniques they have used, they have a platinum Leeds award.  We were able to see an accurate replica of the cabinet office, the oval office, and many of the gifts and much of the memorabilia given to them while he was in office.  There are areas that display the work that was done during his years as governor of Arkansas and his two terms as Presidentt.  His failures as well as his successes where displayed and open for all the world to see.  He looked just like like any other chubby, bare-butt baby lying on his tummy, in the first picture we saw of him!  The authors he loved to read the the friendship he had with  Mandela were things that had dimmed in my mind.  The film of his life and private times and memories of his childhood as well as the public Clinton were interesting to see.  It's so easy to forget some of the things that were so important at other times of our lives.  >>>Point of interest ... It was cool and Dan dropped me off at the entrance and I sat outside and watched the school children as they left the Library.  Even before they came out I had noticed a fairly young man with an elderly couple just standing near the pool of water that was near the entrance.  We were paying no attention to each other.  As I was sitting there on my walker, someone drove up to the area and I heard the younger man say as he walked the couple to the car, "Don't overlook the good in all people just because you are afraidd."  I hope I can remember that advice.  Both Dan and I really enjoyed our time at the Library.

As we left we asked if anyone could tell us where Heifer International building was.  We knew it was founded in Little Rock and she took us to the door and pointed across the parking lot to where they are located.  How's that for choosing to see things so close together and not even knowing what you're doing!

Heifer International is also an interesting structure as is the Library.  Both use recycled materials, bamboo flooring, natural lighting as much as possible and local materials.  Both buildings are impressive in style and in the percentage of re-purposed elements.  The Heifer is also a Platinum Leeds award building.  The building is only sixty feet wide and runs from east to west in an arc shape so that they can use the sun's energy to light and heat the building.  The south side has a large overhang on each floor.  The sun in the summer is at a higher altitude and hits the overhang and is reflected back into the air, while the lower winter angle is able to enter the windows to help heat the rooms of the 6 floor building that is decorated in artifacts from all over the world.  Rain water is collected and used to flush toilets, water the grounds during droughts and replenish the moat that surrounds the complex.  Local flora is evident outside with easily grown plants of the area.  Both the Library and H.I. areas have been built on reclaimed lands.

Kryn called last night and suggested we change our plans to continue on I-40.  He had carefully checked all weather conditions and feels we need to head farther south.  It seems Oklahoma City and other areas on this route may have more snow than we have already met.  We will take his advice.  It's wonderful to have him checking on things for us.  We appreciate his care and love more than he will ever know, but please, don't tell him we said so!

Tomorrow is December 1st.  Don't forget to say, "Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!" first thing in the morning....

Blessings to all,
Triple Trailer Travelers