Memphis to Little Rock, Pugh's Mill a magical place, and flooding and the Arkansas River

Monday June 1st, 2015

We left Memphis and headed to Little Rock, Arkansas.  From the home of the King of Rock, Elvis to the home of former President Clinton.

Heading out of Tom Sawyer campground

We saw this greyhound bus.  It was the first one we have seen on our travels and went a little faster than us.  Before long, it was a speck in the distance but we like our pace better.

We arrived at Downtown Riverside RV Park on the banks of the Arkansas River in North Little Rock.  Here is the view from our front window.

After getting settled and having some lunch we went to find Pugh's Mill.  I had found out about this spot on Tripadvisor, which I often use to find interesting and usually free or inexpensive places to see in towns that we visit.  

I have to tell you that this place was the most magical place I have visited.  It was located in an outside suburb and you would never have stumbled across it by accident.  It was only a small area but so serene.  

The Mill peeking through the trees

A bridge carved in stone but looked like wood.

At the entrance to the bridge 

 The Old Mill was used in the opening credits for the original Gone with the Wind movie in 1939.

View of the Mill from the bridge

Can't you just hear the water going over the waterfalls, you will later!!!

The view from the Mill

I found it so relaxing and walking around made me feel like a child again, with not a care in the world.  In fact it was as if I was in another world.

Although everything here is man made, it is so well done that it feels so natural. The design and incorporation of the water from the river and streams is inspiring.  No wonder couples get married here and choose to have their pictures taken here.  It was a wonderful experience and writing about it now makes me go back to that moment.  Aaaah,  oops back to the real world, ha!! ha!!

Sue walking around and discovering every little thing

A smaller bridge, a lot of the structures are made of stone but look like wood

Water going round the waterwheel at the Mill

Water flowing from the mill

Bryan took these pictures of me taking a close up of the Mill and looking out of the window.  

This is what I was taking a picture of.  The drainage and water collection system.

The entrance to the Mill

Upstairs in the Mill

The sun threw shadows all around as it peeked through the trees and bushes.

 At different times of the year there are different flowers on show.  These hydrangeas were among the flowers on show today.  It would be awesome to come back in spring or fall.

How awesome is this.

Can you imagine the sound of the water? Listen to the video later.

 Bryan coming across the bridge.  What was that fairy tale with the troll under the bridge???  Watch out Bry!!!

Here are some more pictures.  Sorry there are so many but I just couldn't pick out a few.  There were so many great ones.

 After walking around we sat for a rest and just listened to the sound of the water and birds.

Here is a VIDEO of the sound of the water running and unfortunately also a plane going overhead!!!  Although at the time I can honestly say I don't remember hearing the plane.  Amazing what your mind zones out when it wants to.

We don't usually venture out on a travel day but we made an exception as we only have tomorrow here in Little Rock, and once I read about this place I knew I wanted to see it.  So glad we did.

When we left we drove around the houses that surround this magical place.  There were some wonderful homes on the river and with views of the river.  Imagine being within walking distance of this little fantasyland, hmmmm.

We stopped on the way home at Olive Garden for dinner, yummy!!!

When we got back to the campground we walked to the riverbank, about 50 steps.  The river was at 21 feet high due to the rains and it was flowing very fast. Flood level is 23 feet. They are due to do a controlled flood in the next couple of days and so the level will go up.  We are glad we will be out of here before then just in case!!!!  Here is a VIDEO of the river.

The sun started to go down and the moon started to rise.

I didn't realize that I got the sun setting in the side mirror of the motorhome in this picture of the Clinton Bridge at dusk.

The moon rising through the bridge

North Little Rock skyline from the campground.

Well, it was an interesting day.   We were definitely keeping an eye on the weather, preparing to dodge tornadoes and now floods on our way west.  Tomorrow we will take a walk around North Little Rock.