Jonesboro, Arkansas

    Our journey has begun!  Our first stop along the Skype trip across the United States was Arkansas.  Here are the top five reasons that third graders in Jonesboro, Arkansas think you should visit their state.  First, did you know that they can find and keep diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds National Park?  Second, they have many hot springs located in their state.  Hot springs are created when water in the earth is heated by the core of the earth.  Third, they have many mountains to hike, including Mt. Magazine, the highest point in Arkansas.  Finally, it is also a good place to hunt for rabbits and ducks and fish for bass, catfish, and bluegill.  Those are the top five reasons to visit the great state of Arkansas!

    Would you like to know five interesting facts about Arkansas?  Check out the list below:

1. 1.Wal-mart was started in Bentonville, Arkansas.
2. 2.Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, calls this state home.
3. 3.Arkansas is known growing cotton.
4. 4.Rice and beans are also two popular cash crops.
5. 5.Arkansas is known as “The Natural State,” because of its outdoor landscapes.

    Finally, we asked the third graders about some fun things that they do in their state in order to compare and contrast what life is like in different states.  They play dodgeball, volleyball, and tag at recess.  They like to watch college basketball games like we do, but they told us that they don’t have as many options to choose from when going out to eat at restaurants.  That’s the end of our virtual trip to Arkansas.  49 states and the District of Columbia to go!

P.S.  We learned a valuable lesson in culture and weather today.  Our trip to Iowa has been delayed due to heavy snow.  Lucky!  Snow days are scarce in the Arizona deserts.