Alexandria....

....Louisiana, where the Red River flows,
a fairly large city that thrives and still grows;
home to the Aces, a minor league team,
that plays well enough to hear the crowd scream.

Out in the middle of Longleaf Pine woods,
markets for cotton, sugar and vegatable goods,
there they have a Mardi Gras and river parade,
fun for all, reservations can be made.

Top:  The Red River
Middle: Building an Interstate interchange, looks confusing to me.
Bottom: Welcoming Union Army troops at the end of the US Civil War

Monroe...

...Louisiana, what a life this city's got,
it's nice here now, but watch out, the summers here get hot!
First place to bottle Coca Cola west of the Mississippi River,
and there's a whole lot more this city can deliver.

It's the birthplace of Delta Airlines too,
a going concern in an industry where there are few.
Poverty Point is near Monroe, where history can say,
it's the oldest human place to live in the USA.

Top:  Monroe at night.
Middle: Black Bayou, swim anyone?
Bottom: WWII Plane like these P-51 Mustangs at the Air Museum.

Magnolia....

...Arkansas, deep in the pine woods, where it's hot in the summer,

Magnolia stands out, proud, it's not a bummer;

They found oil and gas, before World War Two,

and it's still pumping, that helps me and you.

Where they make composites, high tech stuff,

and fuel cells for airplanes, and that's not enough,

extruded aluminium in all kinds of shapes,

those are the things - that this town makes.

Top:  Downtown
Middle: A City park, nice.
Bottom: A peck of purple peas, there is a Purple Pea Festival every year, the peas are like
black eyed peas, or cow peas

Hope....

....Arkansas, home of many known for a few,
Bill Clinton, Mike Huckabee, they are two;
and Patsy Montana went to school here too,
being a Cowboys Sweetheart, is what she wanted to do.

The biggest watermelon grew here in Hope,
two hundred sixty-eight pounds, that's no joke!
What a nice town, it's not really big;
but at bluegrass time they all dance a jig!

Top(1): Famous Hope citizens
Top(2): Patsy Montana (a personal favorite)
Middle: Loading the biggest watermelon - to go weigh it. (268.8 pounds)
Bottom: Downtown Hope

Arkadelphia....

....Arkansas, with the Caddo River running through,
in the Ozark foothills - and the skies are blue;
So - who's Arthur Hodges, and why should I care?
The gent was the first in the country to die in the electric chair.

That doesn't have bearing on why we are here,
just an unusual fact, to make thing clear,
after all we just travel, our face of the earth,
where some people die, and others give birth.

Top: Sunset on Lake DeGray.
Middle: The Arkadelphia Memorial Gardens
Bottom: More of the Lake DeGray State Park (heavenly shades of light are calling; it's twilight time...)

Hot Springs....

.....Arkansas, world famous mineral springs,
people come here for the water, that brings...
...hope for them to get in the springs, and greenery,
and to relax and enjoy the scenery.

The Ozarks are beautiful any time of year,
great to look at, and birds to hear,
I guess if wanted you could find some thrills,
every spring when they celebrate the daffodils.

Top:  World famous Ozark Bath House.
Middle: Ozark scenery.
Bottom: The Daffodil Festival each year.

Mount Ida....

....Arkansas, Crystal Capital of the World, it's claimed,
bragging a bit? Well, look, can't be blamed;
in the national forest, on Lake Ouachita shore,
sits this small town, with crystals galore.

The lake is large, 4000 acres in size,
happening upon this town was a surprise,
there's a lot to do, well, if you have time,
'course we're on the road, one trip sublime.

Top:  Quite a hand full!
Middle:  In the forest
Bottom:  Lake Ouachita