Clinton fans make 'Billgrimage' to Arkansas

[MsAnthropy]

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP) -- The summer travel season is in full swing, the Clinton Presidential Library is drawing 2,000 visitors a day, and a new tourism phenomenon -- the "Billgrimage" -- is being seen 115 miles away in the town of Hope, Arkansas.

"People are coming from the library saying they're making a Billgrimage to Arkansas; it's so cute," giggles Crystal Altenbaumer, director of the Clinton Birthplace museum in Hope.

Among those on a recent "Billgrimage" was Ava Carter, a Democrat from Dallas, who convinced her Republican travel partner, James D. Stearns, to give their summer trip a Clinton theme.

"I'd never even been to Arkansas, but last year we planned to go to Clinton's birth home in Hope, up to Hot Springs (where Clinton grew up) and here," Carter said. "James said, 'Sure, let's go."'

They and other pilgrims to all-things-Clinton are helping to put the Clinton Birthplace back in the black after a period of financial uncertainty.

The rest is here:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/08/16/arkansas.billgrimage.ap/index.html

[CottonBear]

1. Cool! I'd love to make a 'Billgrimage' to Arkansas.

I've never been there. It's supposed to be very scenic. :)

[MsAnthropy]

2. Me too! I'm missing him now more than ever.

2,000 people a day--they must feel the same way.

[CottonBear]

3. The woman in the article took a Republican along on the Billgrimage!

Is that cool or what? I bet a lot of Republicans are secretly missing Billl too! ;)

[BOSSHOG]

4. Ya gotta take a Billgrimage Cotton Bear

The scenic part of the state is northwest. Don't go through life without spending some time in Eureka Springs. Incredibly beautiful and scenic and full of old 60's hippies. We spent our tenth anniversary there a long, long, long time ago. Stayed at the crescent hotel. It was an incredibly beautiful Easter Sunday.

I may swing down to the quarter on Friday to pick up some stuff for my mother in laws birthday. She's a spry 72 year old democrat from North Kansas. I'll tell the Ersters you are on your way.

[CottonBear]

5. I will have to definitely have to make a Billgrimage!

I love the state slogan: "Arkansas: The Natural State." I checked out the Little Rock and Clinton library websites. The state is really beautiful!

Have fun shopping in the Vieux Carre! I can almost taste the ersters and the gumbo now! :hi: