Petit Jean Mountain

This past weekend N and I went to Petit Jean Mountain to enjoy the wonderful mild Arkansas winter. It was sunny, a slight breeze with temperatures ranging in the mid 50's. Located only about 80 miles west of Little Rock, Petit Jean is a favorite weekend destination. It has a well-maintained state park with numerous hiking trails and lots of attractions. And before I go on, I should mention that people in Arkansas pronounce the mountain "Petty Jean" and if you try and pronounce it all Frenchy, people will give you the stink-eye and declare you a snob.


N and I first stopped by the grave site of Petit Jean, whom the mountain is named after. The romantic legend spins a tale of a young girl in the 1700's from Paris, Adrienne Dumont, who wished to marry and accompany her fiance, a young French Nobleman Chavet, to the New World to explore the Louisiana Territory. Chavet refused, saying he would determine is the area was safe, return to France, marry her and set off to the New World. Adrienne had other plans and disguised herself as a cabin boy, went to the captain of the ship and joined then on their voyage east with her new nickname, Petit Jean.
After spending the summer atop a mountain and having befriended the local Indians, the explorers made plans to return to France. However, the night before they were to leave, Petit Jean fell very ill and by daybreak, it was apparent that she was not going to make it. Of course, throughout her illness it was discovered who she was. Knowing that she was not going to make it, she requested to be taken to the top of the mountain, to die and then be buried overlooking the Arkansas River. Their Indian friends made a stretcher of deerskins and took her to a rocky bluff near the tip of the mountain. At sunset, she passed away to the mysterious illness. Today, local residents say that her spirit still inhabits the mountain and gives it an air of mystery and intrigue.

About four miles away from the grave site and overlook is the State Park. There are many attractions such as Rock House Cave, an enormous bluff cave that boasts of pictographs from Native Americans a thousand years ago who used the cave as a shelter. There is Cedar Falls, the most photographed location in Arkansas. Bear Cave that once hosted a small black bear and spectacular views of the surrounding river valley and more mountains in the distance.
Needless to say, N and I did everything. We ended at 1025 ft above sea level, looking towards the west, just in time for the sunset.

Rodents

I have 16 fat mice, 15 skinny mice, and 47 rats. As a lab technician at a research institution these little rodents are how I am earning my living. It certainly was not my first job choice. In fact, I'm not sure working with rodents even made an appearance on my list.

But, after getting married, moving to Arkansas and being offered a job with benefits, decent salary and carpooling with the husband, I jumped at the opportunity. After fours months I still enjoy working here, albeit with some extra time on my hands.

A friend inspired me to start blogging about my daily musings and what random things happen during my workday. Such as today, having a rat tail swung into my mouth or when one of my favorite little rats climbed up my shirt. Lots of things are possible here.

Enjoy.