After being introduced to Chris Kincaid, one of two fabulous sponsors, Neil Curry's history of Arkansas and Pinnacle Mountain State Park commenced at the Visitor Center. Neil told us about the geology of Arkansas - where the mountains and the plains of "The Natural State" join together. He also gave us a detailed history of the park. The park began very small - a place to party in the '60's. Since then, it has grown to 2000 acres to become a place to rest or to explore the outdoors. Now, all of the plant and animal species are protected by the state. Hurting or removing any plant of animal will result in consequences to be paid. Neil also told Gold 4 about the work that the CCC and AmeriCorps NCCC has done in the past. There is a rock quarry that was used long ago by the CCC to blast rocks to use for the building of trails and whatnot for the park. Now the quarry serves as a beautiful site to injest. We also had the opportunity to see two videos - one about the beauty of Arkansas and one about the history of Pinnacle Mountain State Park.

Chris and Neil then took Gold 4 from the Visitor Center to the Arkansas Arboretum. We toured the small Arboretum (Even though it was cold) and discovered many more new things. We were shown different tree and flower species, among them the Short-leaf pine tree, the Yellow Tiger Lily and the May Apple flowers not quite yet in bloom. Gold 4 had the privilege to walk the short trails the former AmeriCorps teams built in the Arboretum. Neil also told us about a few members of the community who have benches along the trail dedicated to them. One man, Sam, was like a grandfather to Neil. Sam was a blue bird expert. Even at an old age, he would hike through the brush just to find the pretty little birds and their homes. Not very many other people had the passion or determination as in a rest home - his life was the outdoors. He dedicated his life to Arkansas and the park, and his spirit will live on from a simple bench and the stories and memories passed on from the people who love him.

Our first day came to an end, but the service learning had just begun. Almost every day working on the West Summit Trail on Pinnacle Mountain, we encountered lizards, snakes and tarantulas, not to mention interacting with the people from the community using the trail. The second week we were there it was Spring Break - the trail was crowded. The people were all very polite and apologetic for interrupting our work. There were a few individuals who we saw almost every day hiking to the top of the steep, ¾ mile high trail. It was uplifting to get such positive feedback and praise from them on the work we had accomplished. Of course, the most-asked question we got was, basically, if we were doing this work because we wanted to, or was it compensation for a criminal act. Gold 4 - aka "laugh track" - would just smile and tell the wondering people that we did want to be here: we are in AmeriCorps!

During a break on a day we worked in the trail, Jim, our other fabulous sponsor, showed us how to pan gold. Jim had some water and mud, which contained gold dust from Wyoming, in a small container. He poured some of that mud mixture into a black bowl and added a bit more water. To get the gold dust separated from the mud, he rotated the dish in continuous circles, washing the water through the mud. The gold dust would slowly but surely stick to the upper part of the bowl - away from the mud. To completely separate the dust, Jim explained, one would have to use mercury. The gold sinks, and the mud, sand, water and any other unwanted particles floated on top of the mercury.

Even on our one day of rain when we were not on the trail, we were again given the chance to learn new things and meet new people. We were invited to join an eighth grade class in the Visitor Center to view a video on wild flowers or Arkansas. The video was entitled, "Blooming Secrets." Only a few of the flowers in the video we had actually seen yet, and the others would be blooming shortly throughout the state. The video also talked about some insects and their importance in pollination, and their connection to the continuing existance of toe flowers.

As awesome and exciting as all of the opportunities to learn about Arkansas found us, the best one the team was fortunate to have been given was the motivational speech by Randy Frazier. Randy has dedicated his life to learning and understanding how to be a leader and push one's limits to reach one's dreams. He takes great pride in educating people about his experiences and life lessons he has encountered.

Randy began out morning by giving us - or trying to give us - a lesson in juggling. He started slow, with one ball, and eventually brought us up to (trying to) juggle three balls. He only gave us a total of about twenty minutes, purposely raising our frustration level. After most of Gold 4 and Chris and Jim had not quite grasped the skill, we sat - slightly frustrated for either not mastering the skill of not being given more time to practice. Randy's goal was attained. By getting out blood pumping and the right side of our brains working, we now had his full attention. Randy then asked each of us to think of one positive adjective that described ourselves - the first letter of the adjective being the first letter of our first name. As we came up with our "new" names and said them out loud, we were asked to remember and repeat the others who had gone before us. By the time "Jolly Jim," who was last, gave his surname, he had to remember everyone else's . . . he succeeded. Randy explained that it was usually difficult to find the good qualities in one's self; by repeating and remembering the alliteration, we have again forced a different part of our brains to be used.

After going through the emotions and struggles of the first 30 minutes, Randy was ready to show us his powerpoint presentation. His awesome visuals only enhanced the eloquence of his speech. He spoke about having goals but turning them into dreams-come-true by pushing the limitations put on one's self. He also showed us the difference between being a manager and a leader, and he encouraged us all to become leaders to be truly successful in life. After giving us a few quotes and stories of personal experiences, we left the Visitor Center that morning with new feelings and thoughts in our minds on how to live life and how to act and react to become a success in whatever task we choose.

Gold 4 was definitely spoiled on our first spike to Little Rock, Arkansas, from our living areas and sponsors, to all the service learning opportunities handed to us on a silver platter. Realizing that there are so many learning opportunities right in our faces is the easy part. Initiating the chance and grasping it with both hands is sometimes the challenge. Gold 4 was very lucky from March 15th to April 7th, 2000 - and hopefully our luck will continue. But as Randy Frazier told us, we need to discover what is important to us and seize it.

-Jessica Morin
Service Learning Initiator