Depart from your local airport at 5:21pm EST; make sure ID, boarding pass, and any carry‑on essentials are ready. Expect arrival in Little Rock later this evening.
Touch down at LIT at 8:06pm CST; proceed to baggage claim and then to the rental car counters. Note the time change (EST→CST) and set your phone accordingly.
Pick up your reserved rental car at the airport counter — allow 30–45 minutes for paperwork and vehicle walk‑through; confirm counter hours with your rental company in case of late arrival.
If you want hot food before driving, use airport concessions (hours vary) or stop at a nearby 24/7 or late‑open diner in Little Rock; otherwise grab a coffee/snack and drive to Arkadelphia to eat with your friend. Late dinner options in small towns may be limited after 10pm.
Drive from LIT to your friend’s address in Arkadelphia — expect about 1h to 1h15 depending on route and traffic; use real‑time navigation and watch for late‑night road conditions.
Have breakfast at your friend’s home or a nearby café; local diners or chains (IHOP/Starbucks) are generally open early and convenient after a late arrival.
Spend the morning at DeGray Lake State Park enjoying short hikes, lake overlooks, or the marina; park grounds are typically open dawn–dusk and visitor services usually operate around 9am–5pm (call to confirm).
Enjoy a lakeside picnic or head to downtown Arkadelphia for a casual café or diner; mid‑day dining in town is relaxed and convenient for a leisurely lunch.
Walk the Henderson State University campus or explore downtown shops and coffee spots for a low‑energy afternoon activity; campuses are normally accessible during daytime hours.
Return home to rest, catch up, or help prepare dinner — good time to plan your drive to Camden for Wednesday and gather anything you'll need for visiting the nursing home.
Arrive at ONRC to visit your grandfather; confirm the facility’s visiting hours and check‑in procedures (many nursing homes have morning and evening visiting windows and may require sign‑in or ID).
Enjoy lunch with family at a local diner or café — small town diners typically serve lunch from around 11am to mid‑afternoon and provide a comfortable setting to catch up.
Spend the afternoon with family who help care for your grandfather — run needed errands (pharmacy, groceries) or simply spend quiet time together at the facility or home.
Return home to rest, gather luggage and confirm hotel reservation in Little Rock; driving time to Little Rock is roughly 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic.
Dine at a River Market or downtown restaurant offering southern fare, BBQ, or seafood; many popular spots remain open until 9–10pm, but confirm specific hours if you have a place in mind.
Have breakfast at the hotel or a nearby café; double‑check flight documents, rental car return instructions, and allow time for morning traffic to the airport.
Drive to Little Rock National Airport and return the rental car. For domestic flights, aim to be at the airport 90–120 minutes before departure; allow extra time for drop‑off and shuttle if needed.
Arrive at your destination airport and proceed with travel home to Alexandria. If you have connecting flight numbers (AA 3589 mentioned), verify each segment on your itinerary for correct times and terminals.