From our buddy Jack, in his last week of a fabulous round-trip drive across our great nation:

Day 35 -- Vicksburg MS to Little Rock AR

We drove today across the Mighty Mississip from the Mississippi side to the Louisiana side, took a hard right north and drove along the west bank of the river through LA into Arkansas up to Little Rock AR, home of Mike Huckabee and some guy called Bubba. The Mississippi (east) side of the river at this point is called the Mississippi Delta (I learned today). It is a huge fertile alluvial plain in NW MS, with a lot of cotton farming. The MIssissippi River Delta is completely different (I also learned today). It is the area around the mouth of the river as it flows into the Gulf. I also learned today that the west bank people at this point regard themselves as Delta people. Businesses and cities on the LA and AR side commonly include the word Delta. This is a mystery, because the Mississippi Delta is so notoriously and chronically depressed and poor. Its troubles invariably drag the state of MS down to the bottom of national rankings on economic performance, employment, school performance, integration factors, etc. Based on our drive today, the west bank of the river, also a big cotton region, has a deeply poor, depressed feel, so maybe misery loves company. Same sensation we had in rural West Virginia.

We arrived in funky Little Rock in time to visit Bubba's Presidential Museum up on the Arkansas River. I remembered how we were so positively impressed when we stopped in Abilene KS a couple of years ago to visit Ike's fabulous Presidential Museum. Well, Bubba's was a bit of a downer. First, the building is a big square cube jutting gracelessly into the sky, like a huge Walmart warehouse. Second, VERY unlike Ike's museum, Bubba's is all about Bubba. Bubba narrates the White House tour. Bubba is seen speaking out of video screens at every turn. His correspondence with Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Newman, and Elton John is presented side by side with his correspondence with statesmen. I think he had a successful presidency (with a notable lapse or two) because I happen to like peace and prosperity. Silly me. But a presidential library should be about a period of time, it should be a balanced presentation of the historical markers of an era. It should NOT be a paean to a person. It feels like he still needs to get me to love him, to vote for him as man of the millennium -- he is still campaigning, slaying the Republicans. In other words, it showcases his worst trait -- overweening solipsism. The Eisenhower museum appeals to everyone -- it is entirely nonpartisan. This is partisan. The GOP is still trying to screw the poor. Still trying to shut down the government. How sad - he could have done some healing with this monument. Needless to say, I did not see the blue dress or any mention of his deposition. Sadly, I come away with lower regard for Bubba. Although I still like peace and prosperity.

Catchy Campaign Sign: RUDY THREATS FOR CHIEF OF POLICE, Lake Providence LA

Neat Enterprise Names (LA is good at naming): SUKUP, a grain storage company in LA and AR; PRINTS CHARMING, a print shop in Lake Providence LA; JEHOVA JAVA, Transylvania LA; BOONDOCKS ICE CREAM, Transylvania LA.