What I learned from a Trip to North West Arkansas

Nature.

I have seen the webs in the trees in Turkey, but what's going on here? In Arkansas there are two types of moth caterpillar to watch out for, Webworms create tents of webbing and live together in groups.  They cause minimal damage and emerge as white fury moths.  Bagworms create cocoons of dry leaves around them and move about like hermit crabs.  They are considered to be more destructive and can destroy an evergreen tree with ease.  Their moth is very non-descript with transparent wings.

Trees stroon with web bags

Webworm Moth (only has
 a Latin Name so clearly 'unloved')

Bagworm with it's protective 'bag'.

No wonder it doesn't get a name.
It is not loved.
It is the moth with 'no name'.

Names

The Ozarks is the name given to the raised limestone plateau that cover three states.  The main range is northern Arkansas, most of Missouri and North East Oklahoma.

The name comes from the eighteen century French visitors to the area.  As is so often the case, they asked local Native Americans (so much nomenclature of 'the other' is mangled) what the area was called, and they heard and recorded 'Osage'.  However we learned in the 'Top of the Hill' Museum, that the Ozak come from the French postal service called Aux Arkansas.  

Osage was going to be the name of Bentonville, but in 1836 Thomas Hart Benton, senator from Missouri who fought hard in the senate for the founding of Arkansas as the 23rd state of america, was honoured by having his name used both for the county, and the county town.  

We visited Osage Park in Bentonville, which despite being locate next to an airport and busy highway, is a modern piece of tranquility, with Lotus flowers and Monarch butterflies. 

Monarch Butterflies

Osage Park

Fast Food

Round every corner is a fast food joint with similar variations of  burger, fried chicken or Mexican Tacos.  You must uses fingers.  For sure they are fast, and in many cases, the food is healthy and fresh.  Most have drivethru's and most require a car to be accessible at all. Queues of cars spill out onto the road.

Chick-Fil-a (Closed on Sundays)

History

I was impressed that the two historical museums we visited were excellent representations of the past, and dealt with the American holocaust with candid dignity.  We saw a history that spanned about 10,000 year.  There was an interplay of cultures, and then right at the end, the introduction of european culture, with the interest this created.  Next we see an interplay of cultures. Some of this appear positive.  There are the lies and deceit.  The trail of tears.  The Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma is a historical dumping ground of many different people groups, forced into a reserve together.

The museum at 'Top of The Rocks' was a great surprise.  It starts with an endorsement in writing from contemporary Chiefs from across America.  The exhibition is vast and features axes and hammer heads made of iron ore, which is interesting given that we call their civilisation 'the stone age'.  

In this museum we see a set of warrior suits.  These are not suits of armour designed to protect the wearer.  They are the finest suits imaginable to ensure that the wear is ready to meet their maker, 'The Great Spirit'.   I thought 'these are spiritual people who are connected to eternity'.  What a contrast with the West, and it epitomises why the juggernaut came along and knocked them over.

Duck and Turtle Effigy Bowel-
Bentonville Native American Museum

American Universities

We visited two US universities.  We learned about Fraternities and Sororities.

The University of Arkansas-Fayetteville was founded in 1871.  The main building (called Old Main) could have been knocked down in 1980 due to fallinging into disrepair.  It was saved by public subscription.  Buildings in America tend to be far more temporary, and the philosophy is, if it doesn't work, get rid of it and start again.  This pragmatism means that the 'High Street; is virtually gone.  Why have a high street.  It's difficult to park, the prices are higher.  Out of town shopping centres have everything I need in easy reach.  Convenience wins every time.

My nephew will live in a Fraternity this year.  A controversial subject, and it is a paradox of vice and virtue.  The fraternity is a bit like the Masons.  But it has a big presence on the campus.  

American university's have fees at least twice those of  UK universities, and the campuses reflect this, with extensive grounds, flower beds, and colonial style buildings (that may well have been built last year). 

Old Main- University of Arkansas

Library at Oklahoma State University

  There is a 'meritocracy' also in American Universities, where gifted students have much reduced fees, and have special building they can use.  We went to see presentations from students funded to do research for the universities. 

We listened to my neice discussing research into the types of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. 

1. Also the effects of hormonal contraceptive on emotional regulation. 
2. The recent political changes in attitudes to LGBT freedoms across the US.
3. The levels of childhood trauma and alcoholism recorded in Native American communities.
4. Other research focused on removing coffee grain pollutants from water supplies.

Churches

In America we came across the phenomenon of the 'Mega' Church.  Most where we were where 'Baptist' (The first Rogers Baptist Church for example.) I cycled past one of these and thought "It is a School? Is it a Shopping Centre? It was a church.  Everyone drives.  The car park is vast. The challenge to my mind is- where is the community?  Each church is an Island.  What about people who do not drive? I also understand that just like the rest of us, "It is very difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God".

Bachman-Wilson house. Function over form. 

Here is an amazing building built on a budget.  It fits within nature (nice to have this to hand). It is functionally made with unpainted breezeblock and a flat roof.  It as a carport (so that you cannot fill the garage with clutter). The design draws of 'American' ideas, not European (classical) ideas.  The American also includes pre-european ideas.  This makes the design more original.

I thought that it looked like a 1930's steemer moored on the lawn.  What do you think?

Bachman-Wilson House - Crystal Bridges

The house is dominated by a large living space with glass floor to ceiling.  The entrance is deliberately constricted, so that you enter and move into this space, which intensifies the experience of awe and peace.  The technical term is called 'compression and release'.