My visit to Little Rock began with a late flight which had me landing just minutes before I was due to board a riverboat for a dinner cruise. No worries --- Lenarr Kincheu and Fred Daniels from the Peabody Hotel met me at the airport with a limo and assurances we would make it. That was before we realized my bag was missing. After precious minutes spent waiting at the baggage carrousel, I hurriedly left my name at the lost luggage office and tore out the door. We sped away, circled the drive and raced for the dock. Fred was on his cellphone, counting down the minutes and frantically pleading that they hold the boat for me.

As we entered the far end of the parking lot he was told the boat was leaving. “Hold it, hold it, we’re right here!” Screeching to a stop at the dock, we jumped out, waving our arms and shouting as I ran for the boat which had just begun to paddle away. To jump the 10 feet separating me from the deck was tempting but I decided against it…wisely, I think. Nothing we did was going to bring that paddlewheeler back.