When we got up this morning the heat and humidity that hit us in the face when we opened our door was almost unbearable. The manager in no way splurges with A/C in the public places. Even breakfast was uncomfortable. It also wasn't helped by the continuing news of our possible involvement in Syria!
One of the problems of staying in a motel is that it is usually near the Interstate--this causes a problem when one arrives on a back road, but it is even more frustrating when trying to find a back road on which to leave. The easiest thing to do this a.m. was to get on I 35 toward Waco and go a bit East in order to get to FR 107 which would take us Westward once more.
All in all, the day was not starting out to terribly well and upon finding 107 the skies opened up. The weather report last night warned that we would be driving into scattered thunderstorms, some severe. Fortunately, the rains held off, more or less. The temperature on the other hand was problematic--in one hours time it dropped from 70 to 48 degrees! Needless to say that produced severe winds with which Bill had to struggle for the entire day. Nevertheless, we had fun and enjoyed the varied geography of West Texas.
As we tooled along 107 through Moody we chatted about our stay in Temple..particularly about Becca, our leggy,cowboy booted barkeep at Texas Roadhouse. Not quite sure what brought her to mind but I laughed about how she y'alled us to death and I think Bill even got a honey with his second beer. He didn't like her--said she was friendly but not warm--I said she was programmed and he agreed. With that we topped a crest and the most incredible stretch of fields in various stages of cultivation lay at our feet and as far as the eye could see. Unfortunately, the rain and haze made the picture too hazy to do the scene justice.
107 ended at Texas 36 and the city of Gatesville--the home of five of the eight Texas prisons for women including the death row unit. I've never seen such a big prison with the highest fences and the fiercest looking razor wire atop. Each corner of the campus had a high gun tower. It was impressive but too big to photograph adequately. Frightening, too. More imposing than any movie could make it. As we drove along Bill passed a car with Texas plates--as I said " You're passing a Texan??!" He said, " Look at That, I passed a Texas car! " A bit later we passed a real operating Drive-In theatre and then the skies opened once more. For 32 miles it rained and the winds rose and the temperature dropped to the 40's. It was difficult to see much, much less photograph it. By Hamilton, the rains let up but the wind continued. We passed a DQ where I had wanted to get an oreo frosty drink but it had gotten too cold to have it. I probably should have stopped at the Walmart for a battery and some cards, however!
The next road, another farm road 218, passed through one forlorn town after another--Pottsville, Indian Gap, Priddy and Zephyr. This is definitely a very poor area of Texas--the fields are wind eroded to rocks and there is little evidence of any cattle, oil or agriculture. Two of the large schools are empty and vandalized. Just sad and in this weather, eerie. At one corner there was a field of grazing lambs with their adorable babies. About all the pastures will support. One Mom was on her hind legs reaching for the tree branches and her baby was trying to jump up--so precious. For one fleeting moment the sun came out and we stopped to enjoy a few minutes break and stretch of leg. In the far distance, two fences away there was a grazing herd but one fellow was very curious about our presence. There always seems to be one who just becomes interested in our passing car or our stretching our legs. The rest of the herd goes on but the nosy one just stares and stares. Funny. There were some lovely daisy-like flowers in bloom here, too.
Our enjoyment was short lived--the darkening skies and dropping temperature threatened and the wind became truly strong. Nonetheless, there were a few moments of levity--such as the Democrat Cemetery--Repubicans need not apply? and the Priddy Pirates miles from any navigable water.
Hoarde's Creek, which was narrow and totally dry, I wondered if that was why Hoarde's Lake State Park was closed. Bill laughed and said if that creek was its source--foolish man, I meant the drought. As we took a bend in the road there was the neatest white wrought iron fancy arched entry to a ranch. In the arch in curlicue letters was its name: Oleo Acres and beneath it : Just a Cheap Spread. A rancher with a sense of humor.We passed through several more small towns of varying stages of stagnation--though one was the home of Rogers Hornsby a Hall of Fame baseball player from the 20's. Bill suspected ole Rogers hadn't retired in Winters.
Soon, we made a turn onto the last series of Farm Roads. Initially, the land was rocky and non-agricultural. The Blackwell area was oil country with new wells being dug. The MaryNeal area was nothing but a huge wind farm. The mist was so thick it was difficult to discern the windmills from the sky and background. The MaryNeal post office, about the only thing in town, was a cute little stone house. Wonder if it is one the USPS will close?
Maryneal is an unincorporated community in southern Nolan County, Texas, United States. It lies along FM 608 south of the city of Sweetwater, the county seat of Nolan County.[1] Its elevation is 2,566 feet (782 m).[2] Although Maryneal is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 79535;[3] the ZCTA for ZIP Code 79535 had a population of 181 at the 2000 census.[4]
Founded in 1907 along the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway, the community was named for one or more people; the source of its name is disputed. In its early history, the community was more significant than it is today: it won a significant minority of the votes in an election (losing to Sweetwater) to determine the county seat, and a post office was established in Maryneal by being moved from Decker.[5]
Once past MaryNeal where the rain again obscured most everything in the immediate vicinity FR608 took a sharp hairpin turn westward.Within minutes we moved from hilly plateau country with rocky soil into flat farmland. The changing topography in this State is just amazing. We also dropped in temperature to the 30's. The farmers here use a very distinct stepped contour planting. The tiers are wide and the edge of the terrace is bermed and planted thickly with soil holding fine spreading rooted plants. The colors were so vivid--the red soil and the emerald green vegetation--very Irish looking to me. In a field left fallow for a few years the terraces look like a gray flight of stairs.
In Colorado City we returned to an Interstate in order to best reach our Quality Inn at Big Spring. An Interstate gives fast direct travel with boring hypnotic sides. Fortunately, the wind, rain and traffic were not too awful and we covered the last 38 miles to our destination with no problems. Took a spin through town to the Texas Cajun Cafe where we opted for good old fashioned hamburgers. Back to our suite, where I blogged and Bill relaxed in the living room of our suite to watch his shows and I watched Big Bang Theory and Person of Interest. Now, I'll grab a water and watch The Mentalist before retiring for the night.
As a final note, our friend Gloria, emailed to say it is snowing in Belen, New Mexico! Here it is 915 CST and 35 degrees. I got out a sweater, the heat is on and my sandals have been stowed. What crazy weather. Night all--stay warm or have a cold one, whichever is appropriate for your crazy meteorology.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
A Ramble Through Texas
Today's pictures--that is to say yesterday's Mar 6--are a bit arse-backwards but once we left Lufkin I got it together. Luckett's Hole in One Cafe is the restaurant in the Lufkin Quality Inn and is quite a nice restaurant with delicious evening meals. We've had something different each of the three times we've stayed there and have never been disappointed. The owner's wife makes all the salad dressings fresh each day. They know their veggies and their chef who, I guess, is more aptly called a cook since he has no formal training, knows exactly how to cook them.
Breakfast , on the other hand, is a different story. The first year we stayed the room was filled with guests and there was a nice menu. ( this is the only choice hotels we've ever stayed at that does not serve a free continental breakfast.) Last year when we came down the owner greeted us by saying his cook had not turned up and so he had a limited selection. Well, yesterday, we found the same situation. So for $14 I had dry toast, a huge glass of OJ, two slices of bacon and a cup of coffee and Bill had dry toast, two strips of bacon, a potato patty and a scoop of scrambled eggs. And we waited forever for it--I don't think anyone else had come here for breakfast and there certainly was no one there with us. I think he had to fire up the stove for us and then he forgot my bacon--took a few minutes for it to come out and he said, good thing I had this in the oven! A really nice man so there was no way you could get angry BUT if we come again we must remember to go to the Cotton Patch for breakfast! I would guess that there must be some condition in the hotel contract that requires them to be open for breakfast but, not being lucrative, I think the service is designed to eliminate customers and allow them to get rid of the need to open before dinner.
(Back from a break, watching Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay officially announcing Peyton's departure from the Colts. Sad but optimistic too.)
That welcome to Lufkin sign is directly across the road from the hotel driveway and on an elevation. Can't tell you how many times I've tried to get a decent picture of it. This is the best and the last attempt.
Left on 59 south because I let Bill pick the route to Temple. Stopped at a rest area and while waiting for Bill I saw this old guy, so crippled he couldn't straighten up or walk without leaning on the car and his cane, get from behind the wheel of the car next to us! I don't know, of course, how stiff or how much pain he suffers but I do know that the way my legs have been lately that I could not drive without serious difficulty--or at least with less than speedy reaction time. How is it that he drove here from Ohio? People wonder why I don't enjoy driving anymore--trucks, crippled drivers etc. Too crazy.
We came to a large rest area and stopped, hoping to get an official Texas map but it was brand new, and though the rest rooms were all set up the desk where the info stuff will be given out by a clerk was not. Eventually, there appeared a tourist info sign and we came to a chamber of commerce for some town. Bill went in and obtained an official map---so, I'm back in business!!!!!! Hooray---farm roads here we come!
At Livingston we picked up 190 again and headed toward Huntsville, passing by Lake Livingston. It was interesting to see how the low causeway protects one side of the Lake from the wind. The Lake and the sky with its clouds just made such a pretty view I just could not resist taking lots of shots. We'd watched the little cumulus clouds that line the edge of a front approaching as we moved South out of Lufkin. Now they were consolidating into larger masses of cloud and the wind was rising.
I've been on this road before--Barb, this is the road we took from La to Round Rock. I didn't get to see Sam Houston's grave this time, either. Bill didn't think I wanted to go and, if you remember, Huntsville traffic is heavy, especially at lunch time. I'll get there someday!
Henderson King Yoakum (September 6, 1810 – November 30, 1856) was a Texas historian. He was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, and graduated from West Point in 1832. Yoakum served in the Tennessee Senate from 1839 to 1845 and strongly advocated for the annexation of Texas. Yoakum served as the director of the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, beginning in 1849. In 1846, Yoakum authored a two-volume work entitled History of Texas from Its First Settlement in 1685 to Its Annexation to the United States in 1846. An 1805-1819 map of Spanish Texas is found at the front of the text. Yoakum County, Texas, established in 1876, was named after him.
Just thought you might be as curious as I as to why, in addition to Sam Houston flags--he did live and die in Huntsville--they would have some dedicated to Henderson Yoakum. So now we know! LOL
Texas is very proud of its history and there are many historical signs and monuments on all of its roads. We like them and, if the road is quiet enough we stop and read them aloud. It depends on whose side the sign appears as to who does the reading. Bill got Hillary and I got the Baptist Church. It is interesting to see the old names--I thought Hillary would be a woman. Maybe a double L is male and a single one, a female?
We noted that we had left the piney woods of the Big Thicket pretty much behind and were now entering the Texas Hill Country. We also noted the lack of traffic on 75 as we glanced across fields at the trucks and traffic on I 45 which paralleled our path to Madisonville. We passed through its historic downtown but did not find it particularly worth lingering.
Shortly out of town we came to a corner on which an oil well sat idle and here we turned onto our first Farm Road of our Texas trek. FR 1452, which came to a T with 39 toward Normangee. On the map 1452 ends here but farther up 39 it turned to the left and I was tempted to go with it. Yet, one is never sure what direction a FR may go so we proceeded to the intersection with OSR--the Old San Antonio Road. Here we found a pink marble monument which was very difficult to read. I don't know if you will have the option to magnify it but if you do and are interested it is quite easy to read when enlarged. Basically, it is one of many El Camino Real that are found in old Spanish West. It was blazed in 1691 by a Catholic priest and explorer and connected the missions in San Antonio with those in East Texas.
This part of Texas is mostly cattle for one guy is making his money from both cattle and oil. That is a big rig--a true derrick. While there are many Black Angus and Hereford here there are also quite a few Brahman. Bill says they are meat animals too but are probably used for breeding purposes as well. Originally from India they are tolerant of drought conditions and are able to survive on sparse grazing grasses. Something desperately needed in recent years. The drought has done a job on grains which in turn has caused a shortage of feed which in turn has caused the starvation of my head of cattle. I did see one herd that looked rather skeletal. Even as a bio teacher I sometimes forget these interconnecting chains in the web of life!
As we continued out of Normangee, by the way,1452 came in from the left so I guess I should have ventured more bravely--but then I would have missed the pink rock! On we continued to Wheelock and more history. Wonder how old those buildings are--sometimes what looks really ancient is just weathered by the elements and not very old at all. I really loved the double verandered building at the beginning of FR 391 and it was for sale, too. Also they are improving 391 so it wouldn't be as rural as one would think. Actually, not happy to see them widening the road--I love the old, narrow ones but the FR are for the most part wide and smooth. Just travelled only by the locals and therefore pretty empty and that is great.
I must say, that though that long ago welcome to Texas sign said drive Texas style--friendly,it didn't say that the speed limit is for the most part 70 and that the locals all drive 90! Friendly and fast! And when they have to hit their brakes as they come around the curve upon those pokey old Vermonters they nicely flick their headlights instead of giving you a heart attack by laying on the horn.
Crossing over the tracks and looking down we saw the little burg of Hearne. The name seemed so familiar but I just figured, since 190 runs through it, that I just remembered it from a prior trip. Even the sign to Camp Hearne didn't ring a bell until we came to FR 485 and went by its entrance. Made Bill turn back and we came to the visitor's center only to find it is opened Wed-Sat! There isn't actually very much to see of the camp but what we could see anyway--but the film and museum would have been interesting. You might note the warnings about going out to the Officers' area and the remains of the fountains and theatres the prisoners built. Chiggers, mosquitoes, fire ants, poisonous snakes, boar, stray dogs to say nothing of poison ivy! A film would suit me fine. The place is operated by a local outfit but, I imagine, as money allows, those things will become more easily accessible. This is the second WW II camp I've seen--the first was Tule, Ca which was a Japanese internment camp. One thing for sure--they were isolated. Even so Nazi prisoners were able to develop a communication system and the names of Anti-Nazi prisoners were relayed so that they would get their just rewards when the war was over and they all returned to the Vaterland. I guess it is ever true, when there's a will, there's a way.
As the day came to a close we arrived at Rt 53, soon to become Adams Av and the road into Temple. A couple of quick turns and we arrived at the Quality Inn. Checked in and then headed over to Texas Roadhouse for Prime Rib. Delicious meal, at the end of a tiring day.
Today we are remaining in Temple. The sky is overcast and it rains periodically, though the wind seems to have died down. Decided it was a perfect day to hole up and take it easy. Catch up on laundry, blogging and reading. Bill is watching some of the Big East Tournament--UConn vs W.Virginia. The winner of this game plays Syracuse, a Bill fav, tomorrow.
So, I'll say good bye for now. Think I'll redo my nails and wash my hair--not necessarily in that order. Chinese order in sounds good for dinner--haven't had Chinese food in ages. The manager here is Chinese so hopefully there is a bit of a community and the restaurant is good.
The plan tomorrow is Big Springs and then New Mexico the following day. So Gloria and Bud---about three, maybe four days and we'll be there. Will call from wherever we wind up in NM to give you some lead time. Will that work?
Breakfast , on the other hand, is a different story. The first year we stayed the room was filled with guests and there was a nice menu. ( this is the only choice hotels we've ever stayed at that does not serve a free continental breakfast.) Last year when we came down the owner greeted us by saying his cook had not turned up and so he had a limited selection. Well, yesterday, we found the same situation. So for $14 I had dry toast, a huge glass of OJ, two slices of bacon and a cup of coffee and Bill had dry toast, two strips of bacon, a potato patty and a scoop of scrambled eggs. And we waited forever for it--I don't think anyone else had come here for breakfast and there certainly was no one there with us. I think he had to fire up the stove for us and then he forgot my bacon--took a few minutes for it to come out and he said, good thing I had this in the oven! A really nice man so there was no way you could get angry BUT if we come again we must remember to go to the Cotton Patch for breakfast! I would guess that there must be some condition in the hotel contract that requires them to be open for breakfast but, not being lucrative, I think the service is designed to eliminate customers and allow them to get rid of the need to open before dinner.
(Back from a break, watching Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay officially announcing Peyton's departure from the Colts. Sad but optimistic too.)
That welcome to Lufkin sign is directly across the road from the hotel driveway and on an elevation. Can't tell you how many times I've tried to get a decent picture of it. This is the best and the last attempt.
Left on 59 south because I let Bill pick the route to Temple. Stopped at a rest area and while waiting for Bill I saw this old guy, so crippled he couldn't straighten up or walk without leaning on the car and his cane, get from behind the wheel of the car next to us! I don't know, of course, how stiff or how much pain he suffers but I do know that the way my legs have been lately that I could not drive without serious difficulty--or at least with less than speedy reaction time. How is it that he drove here from Ohio? People wonder why I don't enjoy driving anymore--trucks, crippled drivers etc. Too crazy.
We came to a large rest area and stopped, hoping to get an official Texas map but it was brand new, and though the rest rooms were all set up the desk where the info stuff will be given out by a clerk was not. Eventually, there appeared a tourist info sign and we came to a chamber of commerce for some town. Bill went in and obtained an official map---so, I'm back in business!!!!!! Hooray---farm roads here we come!
At Livingston we picked up 190 again and headed toward Huntsville, passing by Lake Livingston. It was interesting to see how the low causeway protects one side of the Lake from the wind. The Lake and the sky with its clouds just made such a pretty view I just could not resist taking lots of shots. We'd watched the little cumulus clouds that line the edge of a front approaching as we moved South out of Lufkin. Now they were consolidating into larger masses of cloud and the wind was rising.
I've been on this road before--Barb, this is the road we took from La to Round Rock. I didn't get to see Sam Houston's grave this time, either. Bill didn't think I wanted to go and, if you remember, Huntsville traffic is heavy, especially at lunch time. I'll get there someday!
Henderson King Yoakum (September 6, 1810 – November 30, 1856) was a Texas historian. He was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, and graduated from West Point in 1832. Yoakum served in the Tennessee Senate from 1839 to 1845 and strongly advocated for the annexation of Texas. Yoakum served as the director of the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, beginning in 1849. In 1846, Yoakum authored a two-volume work entitled History of Texas from Its First Settlement in 1685 to Its Annexation to the United States in 1846. An 1805-1819 map of Spanish Texas is found at the front of the text. Yoakum County, Texas, established in 1876, was named after him.
Just thought you might be as curious as I as to why, in addition to Sam Houston flags--he did live and die in Huntsville--they would have some dedicated to Henderson Yoakum. So now we know! LOL
Texas is very proud of its history and there are many historical signs and monuments on all of its roads. We like them and, if the road is quiet enough we stop and read them aloud. It depends on whose side the sign appears as to who does the reading. Bill got Hillary and I got the Baptist Church. It is interesting to see the old names--I thought Hillary would be a woman. Maybe a double L is male and a single one, a female?
We noted that we had left the piney woods of the Big Thicket pretty much behind and were now entering the Texas Hill Country. We also noted the lack of traffic on 75 as we glanced across fields at the trucks and traffic on I 45 which paralleled our path to Madisonville. We passed through its historic downtown but did not find it particularly worth lingering.
Shortly out of town we came to a corner on which an oil well sat idle and here we turned onto our first Farm Road of our Texas trek. FR 1452, which came to a T with 39 toward Normangee. On the map 1452 ends here but farther up 39 it turned to the left and I was tempted to go with it. Yet, one is never sure what direction a FR may go so we proceeded to the intersection with OSR--the Old San Antonio Road. Here we found a pink marble monument which was very difficult to read. I don't know if you will have the option to magnify it but if you do and are interested it is quite easy to read when enlarged. Basically, it is one of many El Camino Real that are found in old Spanish West. It was blazed in 1691 by a Catholic priest and explorer and connected the missions in San Antonio with those in East Texas.
This part of Texas is mostly cattle for one guy is making his money from both cattle and oil. That is a big rig--a true derrick. While there are many Black Angus and Hereford here there are also quite a few Brahman. Bill says they are meat animals too but are probably used for breeding purposes as well. Originally from India they are tolerant of drought conditions and are able to survive on sparse grazing grasses. Something desperately needed in recent years. The drought has done a job on grains which in turn has caused a shortage of feed which in turn has caused the starvation of my head of cattle. I did see one herd that looked rather skeletal. Even as a bio teacher I sometimes forget these interconnecting chains in the web of life!
As we continued out of Normangee, by the way,1452 came in from the left so I guess I should have ventured more bravely--but then I would have missed the pink rock! On we continued to Wheelock and more history. Wonder how old those buildings are--sometimes what looks really ancient is just weathered by the elements and not very old at all. I really loved the double verandered building at the beginning of FR 391 and it was for sale, too. Also they are improving 391 so it wouldn't be as rural as one would think. Actually, not happy to see them widening the road--I love the old, narrow ones but the FR are for the most part wide and smooth. Just travelled only by the locals and therefore pretty empty and that is great.
I must say, that though that long ago welcome to Texas sign said drive Texas style--friendly,it didn't say that the speed limit is for the most part 70 and that the locals all drive 90! Friendly and fast! And when they have to hit their brakes as they come around the curve upon those pokey old Vermonters they nicely flick their headlights instead of giving you a heart attack by laying on the horn.
Crossing over the tracks and looking down we saw the little burg of Hearne. The name seemed so familiar but I just figured, since 190 runs through it, that I just remembered it from a prior trip. Even the sign to Camp Hearne didn't ring a bell until we came to FR 485 and went by its entrance. Made Bill turn back and we came to the visitor's center only to find it is opened Wed-Sat! There isn't actually very much to see of the camp but what we could see anyway--but the film and museum would have been interesting. You might note the warnings about going out to the Officers' area and the remains of the fountains and theatres the prisoners built. Chiggers, mosquitoes, fire ants, poisonous snakes, boar, stray dogs to say nothing of poison ivy! A film would suit me fine. The place is operated by a local outfit but, I imagine, as money allows, those things will become more easily accessible. This is the second WW II camp I've seen--the first was Tule, Ca which was a Japanese internment camp. One thing for sure--they were isolated. Even so Nazi prisoners were able to develop a communication system and the names of Anti-Nazi prisoners were relayed so that they would get their just rewards when the war was over and they all returned to the Vaterland. I guess it is ever true, when there's a will, there's a way.
As the day came to a close we arrived at Rt 53, soon to become Adams Av and the road into Temple. A couple of quick turns and we arrived at the Quality Inn. Checked in and then headed over to Texas Roadhouse for Prime Rib. Delicious meal, at the end of a tiring day.
Today we are remaining in Temple. The sky is overcast and it rains periodically, though the wind seems to have died down. Decided it was a perfect day to hole up and take it easy. Catch up on laundry, blogging and reading. Bill is watching some of the Big East Tournament--UConn vs W.Virginia. The winner of this game plays Syracuse, a Bill fav, tomorrow.
So, I'll say good bye for now. Think I'll redo my nails and wash my hair--not necessarily in that order. Chinese order in sounds good for dinner--haven't had Chinese food in ages. The manager here is Chinese so hopefully there is a bit of a community and the restaurant is good.
The plan tomorrow is Big Springs and then New Mexico the following day. So Gloria and Bud---about three, maybe four days and we'll be there. Will call from wherever we wind up in NM to give you some lead time. Will that work?
Monday, March 5, 2012
The Big Thicket
Our motel was at exit 18 last night so we had to head north an exit to pick up 190 west. For one fleeting moment we had the option of going to Lafayette but no, we decided last night to forgo it so we stuck with our decision. I swear the car tried to swerve out of Bill's hands but he was firmly in control and off we went through downtown Opelousas. I was so distraught I didn't think to take even one picture! Don't think we missed much though.
As we came around a bend in Lawtell a red truck caught my eye and it looked so much like a toy that I knew it had to be vintage. Knowing my friend, Glen, likes such things I took a quick shot of it--unfortunately, not my best picture of the day. When I enlarged and cropped the windshield I think I found that Glen probably wouldn't care about it since only the chassis seems to be original. Even the paint job is new. Oh, well, it WAS cute. We passed a bone yard and there were several vintage autos--Bill suggested I take a picture of that for Glen but I knew seeing those poor old rusty neglected cars would make him sad---so I didn't. Should I have, Glen?
On we continued through the last of Acadiana and its crawfish growing rice paddies. I love how the shallow pond is used for both. There were several fields that have been drained and I was amazed at how shallow those ponds really are. There was a man in a flat boat in one of them collected crawfish. I'd not seen that before in our travels.
Entering Elton we came upon the first of several rice dryers and storage facilities along this highway. The chutes feed the dried rice into trucks to be taken to rice mills and packaging plants. Bet there are a few vermin in there and maybe a few big cats to keep them in line. What do you think, Jack? Those Konriko kitties ain't seen nothing yet! ( Konriko is the rice plant in Lafayette-New Iberia area that I wrote about several years ago ) Also in Elton we stopped at the PO to mail Betsy's birthday card. ( Which reminds me, I forgot to get one for SIL Sally and a sympathy card for my cousin's family. He died last night of cancer--at about 6 o'clock. Sad but he has been ill for awhile and did well until fairly recently--it was not unexpected.)
At Ragley 190 joins 171 and heads straight North toward DeRitters. The railroad had run right next to us from Opelousas but now it took a slight southern path and we went North. Both of us would meet again in Merryville. When we came to 110 I realized that it went to Merryville too and that it was a diagonal shot. Going to DeRitters took us slightly north of the town and then we had to swing southwest to reach it. Driver never blinked --just made that left when I said to. He's pretty cooperative even though I've gotten us into some interesting situations in the past. Anyone remember the levee road yesterday? But, like a Navy Seal, I try to have several alternatives in case the first idea doesn't pan out.
Fortunately, this time it not only worked but it saved us about 20 miles. This part of Louisiana--which by the way is NOT Arcadiana is a little higher and much drier. It is piney woods and rolling hills--much like the Texas to which we were headed. The scenery is pretty unchanging for many miles and tends to bore me but travelling with Bill makes it interesting. He enjoys it because he understands what is going on here. A forestry operation that works over a 50-60 year cycle. The thickly wooded area of young trees, the culled areas that are maybe 5 years older, the thinned areas that are another 5-10 years older, the really thinned area where controlled fires have eliminated the understory and the trees are growing tall and straight another 10 years older, the area that looks the same except the trees have more girth, probably 20 years older and ready to be harvested. And then the areas that look awful because they have been harvested recently and the pretty areas with all the small seedlings where the area has been reseeded--instead of the old seed tree method. When you have such narration by someone who has studied and taught forestry you realize that the scenery is NOT the same after all! And to think Botany was my least favorite of all my major courses and the least interesting to me to teach. I got better at teaching it by being married to Bill. And when I tutored my last student he was my guest lecturer who took us on several field trips and taught us both so much.
The time passed so quickly and before long we reconnected with 190 in Merryville, which wasn't much of a place, and crossed the humane bridge across the Sabine and entered Texas. With a pang, I left Louisiana behind. Who knows we may return through the upper part on the way home but not Lafayette this trip. :-(
There was no welcome center on this entry and the local information center in Newton is not open on Mondays. We stopped at a gas station and BOUGHT a map--unheard of---where did I leave my maps of the southern tier? This map does not show the farm roads and so I'm a navigator with an inferior tool. The roads here are long roller coaster rides.
We headed for Lufkin by way of Jasper and Zavalla. We'd travelled farm roads that criss-crossed 63 and 69, which we took today after the accident in Tulsa that totalled our Cobalt. Our Westward motion was stopped and we took farm roads south to Beaumont, where we turned eastward making a large loop through Louisiana and other parts of the South and then home.
Just outside Jasper we came to an historical sign about the Forestry Service and the industry. After Bill read it he commented on two things--the area forested is as big as Vermont if not bigger and that the value of the board feet figure was a little off. I pointed out that the sign had been placed there in 1968! A short while later I saw smoke drifting lazily through the trees on Bill's side and a sweetish smell, like new mown hay filled the air. On a rise we could see that off in the distance there was a controlled burn going on. The smoke traveled through those spaces between the rows of trees, quietly and eerily, over a very long distance.
In Zavalla we found that 69 had been widened and repaved and the road has sort of changed around the farm route intersection. It would be almost unrecognizable but for the fact that the Eagle's Nest Cafe is right where it was two years ago when we passed by and ate lunch there. I wondered if they ever found the bull they had posted a missing bull sign about on the outside bulletin board. We post for lost dogs and cats, in Zavalla Texas a bull goes missing and they ask if anyone has seen him outside the cafe. Farther down the road stands Zavalla High School with the wonderful carving of an Eagle right on the edge of the road. I suspect he was carved in woodshop or maybe art class by a student or students. I wonder how long he has been there--I know he's been there four years. Quite realistic. This is the town where I spent a half hour chatting with the postmaster but today I didn't notice the PO.
Came to the former location of Jonesville--we had not seen this marker having traveled both times in the opposite direction. We passed the road to the cemetery and would have loved going down to check it out but we were getting tired and traffic was picking up. Arrived at the motel where we'd stayed to sign the insurance release on the Cobalt and where we stayed again two years ago. Checked in and then went downtown to my favorite antique shop. Had hoped to find a replacement for my change purse but no luck. Got a sugar and creamer and two antique silver spoons--one from Lansing Mi and one from NeuAmsterdam.
Made the dreadful mistake of chatting up a woman who was looking for a small creamer and sugar to use for toothpicks. She was quite a sight--a wig of blond and light brown braids and teeth that I wished I could stare at. Many of them were gold which was easy to see but some in the front appeared to be another metal that was etched--like flat silvery plates etched with floral designs. In an odd way they were fascinating but I so wished I could get up close and look at them. Her complexion was cafe au lait and looked so smooth and soft I wanted to touch it. The reason chatting with her was a mistake is because once started it was nearly impossible to extricate myself.
She went to the check out lady before me and continued to chat--the lady came and unlocked the spoon case and returned to her. I then busily examined the spoons, hoping that she would check out and the lady could help me. No such luck, I chose my spoons and went to the desk. My new friend decided that she didn't want the items for which she already paid--so that whole transaction had to be voided. Mind you, this is a consignment antique mall so voiding the sale is not a simple procedure--in the meantime she continued to chat us both up. I was actually becoming a little uncomfortable, wondering if, by chance, there was some kind of scam or distraction ploy in play. Eventually, she purchased other items and went on her way.
After she left the saleslady said that she comes in often and that she has laid away items but that, once she was allowed to do that, she has returned and wanted to do it again and again. It is a complicated process because she chooses things from various vendors and when she makes a payment the store has to divvy it up among the vendors. So, because it is always many items not amounting to much and the process so time consuming and complicated they have refused to do it anymore for her. The lady says she feels badly but that it is just too much bookkeeping and there is too much chance of mistakes.
By the time we got back to the motel, I was hot and tired and my joints were incredibly stiff. There is a wonderful restaurant in the hotel and so I had pork medallions in a Madeira mustard sauce with fresh asparagus spears and steamed broccoli. The vegetables were perfect with just the right amount of snap and the pork and sauce made me want to lick my plate. I opened a bottle of Barefoot Riesling to go with it ( part of my have wine will travel cache). There is also a salad with bleu cheese dressing that I'll use as later snack.
So ladies and gentlemen, a little OReilly Factor, a bit of wine and maybe something on TV. It is very difficult to find show since there never seems to be a guide channel or a paper listing shows. Oh, well, perhaps a book might be better. I KNOW what is on tomorrow! LOL
I will close now, having no idea where we are going though I think Wacko--oops I mean Waco and Abilene look like they may be in my future--and your, vicariously. Til then--happy trails!
As we came around a bend in Lawtell a red truck caught my eye and it looked so much like a toy that I knew it had to be vintage. Knowing my friend, Glen, likes such things I took a quick shot of it--unfortunately, not my best picture of the day. When I enlarged and cropped the windshield I think I found that Glen probably wouldn't care about it since only the chassis seems to be original. Even the paint job is new. Oh, well, it WAS cute. We passed a bone yard and there were several vintage autos--Bill suggested I take a picture of that for Glen but I knew seeing those poor old rusty neglected cars would make him sad---so I didn't. Should I have, Glen?
On we continued through the last of Acadiana and its crawfish growing rice paddies. I love how the shallow pond is used for both. There were several fields that have been drained and I was amazed at how shallow those ponds really are. There was a man in a flat boat in one of them collected crawfish. I'd not seen that before in our travels.
Entering Elton we came upon the first of several rice dryers and storage facilities along this highway. The chutes feed the dried rice into trucks to be taken to rice mills and packaging plants. Bet there are a few vermin in there and maybe a few big cats to keep them in line. What do you think, Jack? Those Konriko kitties ain't seen nothing yet! ( Konriko is the rice plant in Lafayette-New Iberia area that I wrote about several years ago ) Also in Elton we stopped at the PO to mail Betsy's birthday card. ( Which reminds me, I forgot to get one for SIL Sally and a sympathy card for my cousin's family. He died last night of cancer--at about 6 o'clock. Sad but he has been ill for awhile and did well until fairly recently--it was not unexpected.)
At Ragley 190 joins 171 and heads straight North toward DeRitters. The railroad had run right next to us from Opelousas but now it took a slight southern path and we went North. Both of us would meet again in Merryville. When we came to 110 I realized that it went to Merryville too and that it was a diagonal shot. Going to DeRitters took us slightly north of the town and then we had to swing southwest to reach it. Driver never blinked --just made that left when I said to. He's pretty cooperative even though I've gotten us into some interesting situations in the past. Anyone remember the levee road yesterday? But, like a Navy Seal, I try to have several alternatives in case the first idea doesn't pan out.
Fortunately, this time it not only worked but it saved us about 20 miles. This part of Louisiana--which by the way is NOT Arcadiana is a little higher and much drier. It is piney woods and rolling hills--much like the Texas to which we were headed. The scenery is pretty unchanging for many miles and tends to bore me but travelling with Bill makes it interesting. He enjoys it because he understands what is going on here. A forestry operation that works over a 50-60 year cycle. The thickly wooded area of young trees, the culled areas that are maybe 5 years older, the thinned areas that are another 5-10 years older, the really thinned area where controlled fires have eliminated the understory and the trees are growing tall and straight another 10 years older, the area that looks the same except the trees have more girth, probably 20 years older and ready to be harvested. And then the areas that look awful because they have been harvested recently and the pretty areas with all the small seedlings where the area has been reseeded--instead of the old seed tree method. When you have such narration by someone who has studied and taught forestry you realize that the scenery is NOT the same after all! And to think Botany was my least favorite of all my major courses and the least interesting to me to teach. I got better at teaching it by being married to Bill. And when I tutored my last student he was my guest lecturer who took us on several field trips and taught us both so much.
The time passed so quickly and before long we reconnected with 190 in Merryville, which wasn't much of a place, and crossed the humane bridge across the Sabine and entered Texas. With a pang, I left Louisiana behind. Who knows we may return through the upper part on the way home but not Lafayette this trip. :-(
There was no welcome center on this entry and the local information center in Newton is not open on Mondays. We stopped at a gas station and BOUGHT a map--unheard of---where did I leave my maps of the southern tier? This map does not show the farm roads and so I'm a navigator with an inferior tool. The roads here are long roller coaster rides.
We headed for Lufkin by way of Jasper and Zavalla. We'd travelled farm roads that criss-crossed 63 and 69, which we took today after the accident in Tulsa that totalled our Cobalt. Our Westward motion was stopped and we took farm roads south to Beaumont, where we turned eastward making a large loop through Louisiana and other parts of the South and then home.
Just outside Jasper we came to an historical sign about the Forestry Service and the industry. After Bill read it he commented on two things--the area forested is as big as Vermont if not bigger and that the value of the board feet figure was a little off. I pointed out that the sign had been placed there in 1968! A short while later I saw smoke drifting lazily through the trees on Bill's side and a sweetish smell, like new mown hay filled the air. On a rise we could see that off in the distance there was a controlled burn going on. The smoke traveled through those spaces between the rows of trees, quietly and eerily, over a very long distance.
In Zavalla we found that 69 had been widened and repaved and the road has sort of changed around the farm route intersection. It would be almost unrecognizable but for the fact that the Eagle's Nest Cafe is right where it was two years ago when we passed by and ate lunch there. I wondered if they ever found the bull they had posted a missing bull sign about on the outside bulletin board. We post for lost dogs and cats, in Zavalla Texas a bull goes missing and they ask if anyone has seen him outside the cafe. Farther down the road stands Zavalla High School with the wonderful carving of an Eagle right on the edge of the road. I suspect he was carved in woodshop or maybe art class by a student or students. I wonder how long he has been there--I know he's been there four years. Quite realistic. This is the town where I spent a half hour chatting with the postmaster but today I didn't notice the PO.
Came to the former location of Jonesville--we had not seen this marker having traveled both times in the opposite direction. We passed the road to the cemetery and would have loved going down to check it out but we were getting tired and traffic was picking up. Arrived at the motel where we'd stayed to sign the insurance release on the Cobalt and where we stayed again two years ago. Checked in and then went downtown to my favorite antique shop. Had hoped to find a replacement for my change purse but no luck. Got a sugar and creamer and two antique silver spoons--one from Lansing Mi and one from NeuAmsterdam.
Made the dreadful mistake of chatting up a woman who was looking for a small creamer and sugar to use for toothpicks. She was quite a sight--a wig of blond and light brown braids and teeth that I wished I could stare at. Many of them were gold which was easy to see but some in the front appeared to be another metal that was etched--like flat silvery plates etched with floral designs. In an odd way they were fascinating but I so wished I could get up close and look at them. Her complexion was cafe au lait and looked so smooth and soft I wanted to touch it. The reason chatting with her was a mistake is because once started it was nearly impossible to extricate myself.
She went to the check out lady before me and continued to chat--the lady came and unlocked the spoon case and returned to her. I then busily examined the spoons, hoping that she would check out and the lady could help me. No such luck, I chose my spoons and went to the desk. My new friend decided that she didn't want the items for which she already paid--so that whole transaction had to be voided. Mind you, this is a consignment antique mall so voiding the sale is not a simple procedure--in the meantime she continued to chat us both up. I was actually becoming a little uncomfortable, wondering if, by chance, there was some kind of scam or distraction ploy in play. Eventually, she purchased other items and went on her way.
After she left the saleslady said that she comes in often and that she has laid away items but that, once she was allowed to do that, she has returned and wanted to do it again and again. It is a complicated process because she chooses things from various vendors and when she makes a payment the store has to divvy it up among the vendors. So, because it is always many items not amounting to much and the process so time consuming and complicated they have refused to do it anymore for her. The lady says she feels badly but that it is just too much bookkeeping and there is too much chance of mistakes.
By the time we got back to the motel, I was hot and tired and my joints were incredibly stiff. There is a wonderful restaurant in the hotel and so I had pork medallions in a Madeira mustard sauce with fresh asparagus spears and steamed broccoli. The vegetables were perfect with just the right amount of snap and the pork and sauce made me want to lick my plate. I opened a bottle of Barefoot Riesling to go with it ( part of my have wine will travel cache). There is also a salad with bleu cheese dressing that I'll use as later snack.
So ladies and gentlemen, a little OReilly Factor, a bit of wine and maybe something on TV. It is very difficult to find show since there never seems to be a guide channel or a paper listing shows. Oh, well, perhaps a book might be better. I KNOW what is on tomorrow! LOL
I will close now, having no idea where we are going though I think Wacko--oops I mean Waco and Abilene look like they may be in my future--and your, vicariously. Til then--happy trails!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Opelousas
Left Amite in 58 degrees and beautiful sunlight with nary a cloud in sight. There was frost on the car this morning but the day warmed up and as we traveled through the rest of the Florida Parishes to West Feliciana and our first destination, St Francisville, we reveled in the beauty of the day. Truly, the most perfect we have had on the entire trip--not TOO hot, nor TOO cold; not too cloudy or hazy; not rainy; not unbearably humid; the sun not too blinding.
We took La 10 and commented on the fact that we'd long ago left the white sands of the Gulf for the red soil of inland South. I love the signs on the Louisana scenic routes---they are also highlighted in green on the map--but the Louisiana map is one of the worst in the country with which to navigate. That is a minor irritation in one of my favorite States. Our friend, Pris, asked why I like it here so much--it is a combination of so many things. I like the terrain and all the water, the food, the music, the people. That said, it is really the Florida Parishes and Acadiana that I love--but in fairness, we haven't explored the rest of the State really.
We hadn't gone very far when we crossed a bayou and there it was, white sand again! LOL Rte 10 is a familiar road to us but it was fun to see it from East to West since we usually travel it in the opposite direction--going home! I like this much better. We passed through Clinton with its beautiful domed Courthouse surrounded by the forever present live oaks. On into Franklin where the Centenery Academy that we toured two years ago is located. The unfriendly antique dealer has installed a huge railway car along the east side of his parking lot. He has a tourist info sign hanging beneath his business sign but when we dropped in two years ago to ask where the Academy is located, since there were no signs for it, he barely acknowledged us and gave us vague directions that eventually did get us there! Funny the things you remember when you pass places again.
Between Clinton and Franklin we passed a field of Herefords with an odd member of the herd--a Brahman bull! I asked Bill to please turn around --I just knew this was my picture of the day. He was like a babysitter--a set of twin calves were close by him and other young Herefords grazed around him. As soon as we stopped he turned directly at us---then he turned a complete 180 as he roused the one twin to its feet and the others stopped grazing--once more he confronted us. I captioned my first shot: " I charge double for twins and they eat from the field just like the other kids!" The second shot " You got a problem with that????" Not me, sir! Just loved it.
Then we were into lovely St Francisville with its red brick walks and sweet little houses along the streets. Pulled up to Grandmother's Buttons and my heart dropped when I saw the gate closed---it is Sunday!--but all the lights were on and the sign said they open at 11 on Sunday. Oh, happiness, it was 4 minutes til. Browsed and Bill said " I have to tell you something--there is penance to pay." I could not imagine what happened but--once more--he smokes and throws the cigarettes out the window. In the Cobalt he burned a huge hole in the back seat which he covered with a blanket and which I ,therefore, never saw. This time he has burnt a hole in my favorite green fleece jacket!!!! An Irish import I bought at an Irish festival several years ago. I have not seen the hole but he says it isn't too big and he'll get me a new fleece. In the meantime, he is paying up to $400 in penance--he set the amount. AND he told me in Grandmother's Buttons???!!!??? Oh, happy day! Didn't spend it all--so I have some left for Perry Null in Gallup and his wonderful turquoise....... and IF I don't spend it there I have it anyway. I am beside myself since I love both these stores but STILL, I so wish he'd stop smoking!
After lunch at the Audubon Cafe where I picked up another jar of Mayhaw Jelly, having finished the one I bought there two years ago, we headed for the new bridge across the river. Last year there was incredible flooding in St Francisville--the water rose all the way up the hill and much was damaged. It was decided that since the bridge was built anyway--they were doing all the construction last time we were here--the ferry could go. The girl at GB's told me that the whole town came down for the last ferry run and they had fireworks etc. I miss the ferry--I wonder if there are any left on the Mississippi now except the Creole Queen in NO.
When we arrived at the new bridge BOTH of us REALLY missed having the ferry to cross. Look at the size of the cars in front of us to get an idea of its size and height. And you can see it coming for miles--and the access roads on both sides are new and are composed of many long though not terribly high bridges over the swamp land. I was truly happy to see it in our rearview mirror. In future I will have to figure out how to get back to GB's and away again without using this awful but beautiful golden monster.
Traveling now in the Atchafalaya Basin we passed fields that grow cane but are not yet planted and others with green fertilizer--winter wheat--waiting to be plowed under. This is the area that some of you may remember was flooded last Spring for the first time since the '50's in an effort to save NO. It is called the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupe Parish--we had now entered Arcadiana. Again we have been along this road before and remembered things we would see including a hysterical sign ( that's what we call the historical signs ) in the middle of nowhere commemorating some distant battle --I have a picture of it from another year. It is still there and it is still the middle of nowhere!
The water table is very high here and so both sides of the road have wide gullies that are divided into pools connected by culverts. Many of the people along the road are raising crawfish in them. One particularly beautiful house landscaped around their two pools and there were ducks swimming in them. The area is really very pretty but I don't think I'd like the mosquitoes that I imagine breed here, nor the wetness in rainy season or the humidity in summer. That is without thinking about the possibilities of flooding--although the levee is behind most of these homes.
Soon, just as the map indicated, La 10 turned off to the right and we took the turn. Now, this is marked as a scenic route on the map but we thought this might be more scenic than we wanted to experience. Behind the levee are the flat fields that absorb the waters from snow melt in the States to the North. If the snow melt is great and there is torrential rain as well the gates of the spillway are opened and these fields and whatever homes are behind the levee are sacrificed. The people who live here know that this is the deal that was struck when the Army Corps of Engineers developed the system that would protect the Port of New Orleans. When exactly this came about I'm not sure but for some reason the 30's come to mind--sort of about the TVA period etc. When Irene hit Vt our land and the fields around us served as the natural spillway for the Ompompanussic. The other side of the levee showed the wide gulley containing the waters of the water table.
Having decided to forego exploring the area that must have washed out we returned to La 77, to La 190 and across the long, long,long Morganza Spillway bridge from Krotz Springs toward Opelousas. Looking at the beautiful homes along the river, many of which are fairly new, I wondered as I have before about the obstinacy of the human race. They build in flood plains, on cliffs in California that slide into the Pacific every year and in the Morganza Spillway. Crazy!
So for another night and part of another day I will revel in Arcadiana before crossing into the Big Thicket.
Just heard that the tornado stricken area is now being hit by snow. Those poor people. I'm trying not to think what the weather will be when we travel through there on the way home. It will be heartbreaking if we see any of the damaged areas.
Dinner calls--I think we will have pizza in tonight----had my sweet tea and po'boy for lunch! Bon Appetit !!
We took La 10 and commented on the fact that we'd long ago left the white sands of the Gulf for the red soil of inland South. I love the signs on the Louisana scenic routes---they are also highlighted in green on the map--but the Louisiana map is one of the worst in the country with which to navigate. That is a minor irritation in one of my favorite States. Our friend, Pris, asked why I like it here so much--it is a combination of so many things. I like the terrain and all the water, the food, the music, the people. That said, it is really the Florida Parishes and Acadiana that I love--but in fairness, we haven't explored the rest of the State really.
We hadn't gone very far when we crossed a bayou and there it was, white sand again! LOL Rte 10 is a familiar road to us but it was fun to see it from East to West since we usually travel it in the opposite direction--going home! I like this much better. We passed through Clinton with its beautiful domed Courthouse surrounded by the forever present live oaks. On into Franklin where the Centenery Academy that we toured two years ago is located. The unfriendly antique dealer has installed a huge railway car along the east side of his parking lot. He has a tourist info sign hanging beneath his business sign but when we dropped in two years ago to ask where the Academy is located, since there were no signs for it, he barely acknowledged us and gave us vague directions that eventually did get us there! Funny the things you remember when you pass places again.
Between Clinton and Franklin we passed a field of Herefords with an odd member of the herd--a Brahman bull! I asked Bill to please turn around --I just knew this was my picture of the day. He was like a babysitter--a set of twin calves were close by him and other young Herefords grazed around him. As soon as we stopped he turned directly at us---then he turned a complete 180 as he roused the one twin to its feet and the others stopped grazing--once more he confronted us. I captioned my first shot: " I charge double for twins and they eat from the field just like the other kids!" The second shot " You got a problem with that????" Not me, sir! Just loved it.
Then we were into lovely St Francisville with its red brick walks and sweet little houses along the streets. Pulled up to Grandmother's Buttons and my heart dropped when I saw the gate closed---it is Sunday!--but all the lights were on and the sign said they open at 11 on Sunday. Oh, happiness, it was 4 minutes til. Browsed and Bill said " I have to tell you something--there is penance to pay." I could not imagine what happened but--once more--he smokes and throws the cigarettes out the window. In the Cobalt he burned a huge hole in the back seat which he covered with a blanket and which I ,therefore, never saw. This time he has burnt a hole in my favorite green fleece jacket!!!! An Irish import I bought at an Irish festival several years ago. I have not seen the hole but he says it isn't too big and he'll get me a new fleece. In the meantime, he is paying up to $400 in penance--he set the amount. AND he told me in Grandmother's Buttons???!!!??? Oh, happy day! Didn't spend it all--so I have some left for Perry Null in Gallup and his wonderful turquoise....... and IF I don't spend it there I have it anyway. I am beside myself since I love both these stores but STILL, I so wish he'd stop smoking!
After lunch at the Audubon Cafe where I picked up another jar of Mayhaw Jelly, having finished the one I bought there two years ago, we headed for the new bridge across the river. Last year there was incredible flooding in St Francisville--the water rose all the way up the hill and much was damaged. It was decided that since the bridge was built anyway--they were doing all the construction last time we were here--the ferry could go. The girl at GB's told me that the whole town came down for the last ferry run and they had fireworks etc. I miss the ferry--I wonder if there are any left on the Mississippi now except the Creole Queen in NO.
When we arrived at the new bridge BOTH of us REALLY missed having the ferry to cross. Look at the size of the cars in front of us to get an idea of its size and height. And you can see it coming for miles--and the access roads on both sides are new and are composed of many long though not terribly high bridges over the swamp land. I was truly happy to see it in our rearview mirror. In future I will have to figure out how to get back to GB's and away again without using this awful but beautiful golden monster.
Traveling now in the Atchafalaya Basin we passed fields that grow cane but are not yet planted and others with green fertilizer--winter wheat--waiting to be plowed under. This is the area that some of you may remember was flooded last Spring for the first time since the '50's in an effort to save NO. It is called the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupe Parish--we had now entered Arcadiana. Again we have been along this road before and remembered things we would see including a hysterical sign ( that's what we call the historical signs ) in the middle of nowhere commemorating some distant battle --I have a picture of it from another year. It is still there and it is still the middle of nowhere!
The water table is very high here and so both sides of the road have wide gullies that are divided into pools connected by culverts. Many of the people along the road are raising crawfish in them. One particularly beautiful house landscaped around their two pools and there were ducks swimming in them. The area is really very pretty but I don't think I'd like the mosquitoes that I imagine breed here, nor the wetness in rainy season or the humidity in summer. That is without thinking about the possibilities of flooding--although the levee is behind most of these homes.
Soon, just as the map indicated, La 10 turned off to the right and we took the turn. Now, this is marked as a scenic route on the map but we thought this might be more scenic than we wanted to experience. Behind the levee are the flat fields that absorb the waters from snow melt in the States to the North. If the snow melt is great and there is torrential rain as well the gates of the spillway are opened and these fields and whatever homes are behind the levee are sacrificed. The people who live here know that this is the deal that was struck when the Army Corps of Engineers developed the system that would protect the Port of New Orleans. When exactly this came about I'm not sure but for some reason the 30's come to mind--sort of about the TVA period etc. When Irene hit Vt our land and the fields around us served as the natural spillway for the Ompompanussic. The other side of the levee showed the wide gulley containing the waters of the water table.
Having decided to forego exploring the area that must have washed out we returned to La 77, to La 190 and across the long, long,long Morganza Spillway bridge from Krotz Springs toward Opelousas. Looking at the beautiful homes along the river, many of which are fairly new, I wondered as I have before about the obstinacy of the human race. They build in flood plains, on cliffs in California that slide into the Pacific every year and in the Morganza Spillway. Crazy!
So for another night and part of another day I will revel in Arcadiana before crossing into the Big Thicket.
Just heard that the tornado stricken area is now being hit by snow. Those poor people. I'm trying not to think what the weather will be when we travel through there on the way home. It will be heartbreaking if we see any of the damaged areas.
Dinner calls--I think we will have pizza in tonight----had my sweet tea and po'boy for lunch! Bon Appetit !!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Avoiding Tornadoes by Luck
Woke up this morning after sleeping with my flashlight close to hand since TWC last night kept predicting thunderstorms all night, some of them severe, and issuing a tornado warning for Biloxi until around 9PM. Fortunately, no tornado, no rain for that matter. The thunderstorms were to continue through this morning but we never hit ANY rain until Louisiana and then it was merely drizzle. Not complaining, as a matter of fact we've been very lucky. There are warnings out now for Panama City back to Jacksonville--we were only there a day or two ago. And the horrendous damage and death these storms have brought it terrifying. Meteorologically speaking it is not really surprising that such tornadoes are forming. Yesterday I was suffering from the heat of almost 80 degrees with incredible humidity. The walls and floors at Fort Gaines were sweating as was Linda's little cooler that we are using once more. Today, we woke up to 59 degrees and no humidity. Such a rapid drop in temperature produces incredible convection currents and the earth's spin just whirls those masses around insanely.
TWC is saying that the temp in Burlington Vt is going to be 55; 29 in Montpelier and 34 in Rutland on Town Meeting Day! Insane!
But back to Mississippi and the chilly but refreshing opal morning in Biloxi. Just as I did two years ago, I was so moved by the evidence of hurricane damage along this highway, particularly in Gulfport and Long Beach. Biloxi was hit as well but these two communities were so devastated. Every home along the strip is surrounded by beautiful live oaks with their long outward spreading limbs. So, as one drives along and sees a gathering of them there is the expectation of a lovely home among them. In many cases, that is still the situation but in far too many places the rubble of slabs or stairs that lead to nowhere or front walks that just end mark where a home once stood. If you aren't that observant the huge for sale signs would certainly grab your attention. Some of the destruction predates Katrina but most of it is the result of her gentle touch. Sad, sad, sad. It is so incredibly amazing that somehow those oaks know how to come through the horror intact. They must be far more flexible than they appear and just roll with the winds. Unbelievable.
Although the winds were nowhere the strength of a hurricane there was still a rather good inland blow and so we decided to forgo the joy of crossing Bay St Louis on that lovely camel's hump bridge and we turned inland just before Pass Christian, another town almost entirely wiped off the coast. We grabbed I 10 just so we'd get to the info center in Louisiana for a map. It was soooooo exciting to cross the Pearl and be in Cajun country at last.
Milly, the info lady, was very thrilled to have us headed to her home grounds--Abita Springs. We planned to go to the brewery for the tour but she told us the history of the waters in Abita Springs and the Choctaw association. So, when we arrived in town we went to the museum and found that at one time Abita Springs was to Baton Rouge and New Orleans what Saratoga Springs was to New York City and Albany. A place to escape the heat of city life and a place to take the healthy waters. Sounded very familiar. In addition, we found that the brewery is outside town now, since it has gotten quite large but the original site is right on the traffic circle that is truly the hub of the town--everything is built right off the circle! So we went to the Abita Springs Brew Pub--ex-brewery -- and had lunch with a couple of the brews. I had a glass of Restoration Ale, a hoppy brew that I really enjoyed. ASB developed it in honor of the work being done after Katrina and part of the price goes to the cause. I also had a glass of Golden which is my favorite. Bill stuck with his IPA. I had a bowl of chicken-andouille gumbo---oh, heaven. No hot sauce or seasonings needed. And I never adulterate it with crackers or heaven forbid, bread. I know crackers are traditional but I like the broth brothy. Does that make sense? Bill had a Reuben---a very traditional Cajun or is it Creole sandwich?
A young couple sitting next to us shared a bottle of strawberry harvest lager. We got talking a bit and they let me have the last little bit from the bottle. How delicious. It is the golden with strawberries added --it has the aroma and very slight taste of fresh strawberries. Apparently, they also do a pecan soak when they are in season and some other that the barmaid said three times and I just could not get what she meant. Anyway, these aren't seasonals which are on tap--they are harvest available only when these fruits are harvested and the beer is only available in bottles.
In our conversation we found that the couple had spent last night in Biloxi also at the Beau Rivage--for dancing. Not gambling--not, she assured us, that she has any thing against gambling. Just they don't like to lose money that way. The young man had just finished 8 weeks of school in Montgomery and she flew up to meet him. They are now driving back home to San Antonio. While they enjoyed speaking with us I could tell they really were into each other so with a smile I said it was lovely to meet them. They wished us a safe trip and we did the same.
After stopping at the small market for a six pack of the strawberry lager we continued to Amite where we will spend tonight. We are going to head to St Francisville tomorrow but we have to decide if we are going to head to Lafayette-New Iberia. I hope so but we do need to go across Texas to New Mexico and we want to have some time to spend there.
Acoma and back to Canyon de Chelly for a jeep ride and, of course, the Bosque. There is no way we'll just fly across Texas either, since I will pick a different East-West route on farm roads than we've taken before. Must give it serious thought.
The Cabot Cheese is making the trip well so far and I found another little gift for Gloria! So New Mexico is very important for lots of reasons.
We will eat some of our veggies and cheese and I'll have a glass of Gewurtz and retire. Will let you know what goody I buy at Grandmother's Buttons. I'm in the market for a pair of earrings to match my bracelet and necklace but we shall see. For now, we'll keep an eye on weather and hope and pray our luck continues. Also that our friends in NSB just south of Daytona fare well, too. Hernando doesn't seem to be threatened. Just such scary stuff. Stay safe and warm all. Bon Soir.
TWC is saying that the temp in Burlington Vt is going to be 55; 29 in Montpelier and 34 in Rutland on Town Meeting Day! Insane!
But back to Mississippi and the chilly but refreshing opal morning in Biloxi. Just as I did two years ago, I was so moved by the evidence of hurricane damage along this highway, particularly in Gulfport and Long Beach. Biloxi was hit as well but these two communities were so devastated. Every home along the strip is surrounded by beautiful live oaks with their long outward spreading limbs. So, as one drives along and sees a gathering of them there is the expectation of a lovely home among them. In many cases, that is still the situation but in far too many places the rubble of slabs or stairs that lead to nowhere or front walks that just end mark where a home once stood. If you aren't that observant the huge for sale signs would certainly grab your attention. Some of the destruction predates Katrina but most of it is the result of her gentle touch. Sad, sad, sad. It is so incredibly amazing that somehow those oaks know how to come through the horror intact. They must be far more flexible than they appear and just roll with the winds. Unbelievable.
Although the winds were nowhere the strength of a hurricane there was still a rather good inland blow and so we decided to forgo the joy of crossing Bay St Louis on that lovely camel's hump bridge and we turned inland just before Pass Christian, another town almost entirely wiped off the coast. We grabbed I 10 just so we'd get to the info center in Louisiana for a map. It was soooooo exciting to cross the Pearl and be in Cajun country at last.
Milly, the info lady, was very thrilled to have us headed to her home grounds--Abita Springs. We planned to go to the brewery for the tour but she told us the history of the waters in Abita Springs and the Choctaw association. So, when we arrived in town we went to the museum and found that at one time Abita Springs was to Baton Rouge and New Orleans what Saratoga Springs was to New York City and Albany. A place to escape the heat of city life and a place to take the healthy waters. Sounded very familiar. In addition, we found that the brewery is outside town now, since it has gotten quite large but the original site is right on the traffic circle that is truly the hub of the town--everything is built right off the circle! So we went to the Abita Springs Brew Pub--ex-brewery -- and had lunch with a couple of the brews. I had a glass of Restoration Ale, a hoppy brew that I really enjoyed. ASB developed it in honor of the work being done after Katrina and part of the price goes to the cause. I also had a glass of Golden which is my favorite. Bill stuck with his IPA. I had a bowl of chicken-andouille gumbo---oh, heaven. No hot sauce or seasonings needed. And I never adulterate it with crackers or heaven forbid, bread. I know crackers are traditional but I like the broth brothy. Does that make sense? Bill had a Reuben---a very traditional Cajun or is it Creole sandwich?
A young couple sitting next to us shared a bottle of strawberry harvest lager. We got talking a bit and they let me have the last little bit from the bottle. How delicious. It is the golden with strawberries added --it has the aroma and very slight taste of fresh strawberries. Apparently, they also do a pecan soak when they are in season and some other that the barmaid said three times and I just could not get what she meant. Anyway, these aren't seasonals which are on tap--they are harvest available only when these fruits are harvested and the beer is only available in bottles.
In our conversation we found that the couple had spent last night in Biloxi also at the Beau Rivage--for dancing. Not gambling--not, she assured us, that she has any thing against gambling. Just they don't like to lose money that way. The young man had just finished 8 weeks of school in Montgomery and she flew up to meet him. They are now driving back home to San Antonio. While they enjoyed speaking with us I could tell they really were into each other so with a smile I said it was lovely to meet them. They wished us a safe trip and we did the same.
After stopping at the small market for a six pack of the strawberry lager we continued to Amite where we will spend tonight. We are going to head to St Francisville tomorrow but we have to decide if we are going to head to Lafayette-New Iberia. I hope so but we do need to go across Texas to New Mexico and we want to have some time to spend there.
Acoma and back to Canyon de Chelly for a jeep ride and, of course, the Bosque. There is no way we'll just fly across Texas either, since I will pick a different East-West route on farm roads than we've taken before. Must give it serious thought.
The Cabot Cheese is making the trip well so far and I found another little gift for Gloria! So New Mexico is very important for lots of reasons.
We will eat some of our veggies and cheese and I'll have a glass of Gewurtz and retire. Will let you know what goody I buy at Grandmother's Buttons. I'm in the market for a pair of earrings to match my bracelet and necklace but we shall see. For now, we'll keep an eye on weather and hope and pray our luck continues. Also that our friends in NSB just south of Daytona fare well, too. Hernando doesn't seem to be threatened. Just such scary stuff. Stay safe and warm all. Bon Soir.
Friday, March 2, 2012
From Florida to Mississippi
Having spent Wednesday night at Port St Joe, right on the Gulf Coast we were very much looking forward to a scenic drive along the beautiful white sand beaches to Panama City and then a swing inland to run parallel with I 10 into Alabama. Unfortunately, the fog was thick and dangerous and within a few miles we realized we'd see nothing and when crossing the causeways along the coast it would be suicidal to continue. Thus we turned inland sooner than planned.
We passed through more tree plantations that had been control burned and pastures of cattle. In several locations we passed work crews from the local correctional institutions doing mowing alongside the road. Love the DOC letters on their backs. In Freeport we came upon a very small local cafe. We and another couple were to only none residents--they were from Montana and stood out very noticeably as tourists with the fancy studded bag and his well pressed shorts and matching polo shirt and dockers. We looked Northern pale but still were dressed like the other patrons. I had a large pancake that was very YELLOW and two sausage patties with syrup whose ingredients I chose not to read and dishwater coffee. Oh, well, you win some, you lose some. The price was right, anyway. Continued along until the road turned once more toward the Gulf and into Niceville. Interesting, that is the fictional name chosen by the fictional author in The Help.
Not having any new scenery to enjoy I started noticing billboards: Life is Short, Have Seconds at Louis' Pizza! And some others which I've forgotten!The walkway outside a high school wishing Katelyn and Jalen happy 16th birthday. Then we got onto I 10 toward Pensacola. It is very similar in this area to the Taconic Parkway in NYS.
Pensacola is the home of the Navy Blue Angels. I'd love to see them or The Thunderbirds sometime. They are so beautiful and the pilots such pros. This plane was in one of the rest areas. I was playing with the new camera--still not terribly happy with it--but I'm learning gradually. As we continued West the sky became more cloudy and thunderheads were forming--we were running just south of all that storm activity in Alabama etc. and the northern sky showed it.
Once we got through the Pensacola and Naval Air Stations area we were home free into Alabama! At last, out of Florida. It seemed as though we would NEVER make any headway westward. It was like last Fall in North Dakota--thought we'd never move on. But at long last --The Alabama welcome sign and center. I have no idea how I managed to either lose or leave behind the maps for Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. I know I got them out of the box of maps but they either fell out in some motel or I left that packet at home though I cannot imagine where. Oh, well, we picked up a new Alabama map and, when I admired a really clever poster showing caricatures of famous people and places in Alabama, the young girl asked if I'd like one. It was free so why not? I was amazed at home many of the places on the poster we've been to. Guess we've spent some time in the place where Stars Fell!
As we returned to the car, a young man on a motorcycle cruised over. With a big grin, he said--see you guys got lost, too! He was from Montreal. We told him about living in Highgate and St Albans and how Montreal was a frequent haunt in those days--at least for me, if not Bill! Sitting and plotting our path we noticed the Mobile Bay ferry. So we went back in to see if it is operating, since it is a long way south with no other path to the other side. The girl gave us all the info and our path was chosen. Called and made a reservation in Foley,Al and we were on our way. Exit 44 to 59 South to the Quality Inn.
Tammy, the manager, was just so welcoming. She has an artificial tree in the lobby that she decorates throughout the year---she already has it festooned with Easter decorations and the windows and doors have Easter decals and a big welcome Spring sign on the entrance. Just so jovial. And she said, you guys need a jacuzzi and upgraded us to a king room with one.
Got into the perfect room and as we unpacked our little cloth cooler it was soaking wet on the outside--but not on the inside. OMG, it is so humid, the darned thing had condensation on the outside--it was sweating! My hair which is straight as a pin is FRIZZING!!
Applebees was right next door so we went over for a quick meal and then returned to the room where I simply dropped into the jacuzzi for about an hour. Nothing worth anything on TV so to bed at 9, which was really 10 since we have crossed into Central Time.
This morning we went to breakfast before packing to leave but then on the road to the Gulf Shores and headed toward the ferry at Fort Morgan. Several little clusters of pastel houses high on stilts along the way. The color of the houses make me happy--they look like spring flowers--and like Hawaiian shirts would look out of place anywhere else but on the shores of a body of water in the hot South with blazing sun and balmy breezes. Fort Morgan which was also a Civil War defense installation at the mouth of Mobile Bay is sort of in complete decay. A path allows exploration but it didn't look very inviting. Instead we proceeded to the ferry landing.
Every piling had a pelican on it. Fun to watch the shuffling of positions--everytime one of them dove into the water another would take its piling place. More birds than places so it was constant musical chairs. Soon a flotilla of some sort of duck arrived--smoothly gliding along--and then as one, diving together. Avian synchronized swimming. We had an hour wait for the ferry but the day was so perfect and the birds so amusing the time went by quite quickly. We also were chatted up by a local Alabamian who had lived for about 30 years in Arizona but came back home. Talked about the service boat approaching the rig--bringing supplies and maybe shuttling shifting crews.
Bill noticed small rocks in the crotch of the tree we were sitting under. It appears that they were deposited there by surf surge. Kind of sobering to see how high and rough the water can be. Apparently the last hurricane to hit this particular site was Ivan--about ten years ago.
A shrimp boat came slowly by with a flock of pelicans close behind. And then came the 1145 ferry to take us to Dauphin Island. The Captain himself directs us aboard. Then one of the crew comes along to collect the toll, tell us that we may roam the deck at will, where the head is located and that the crossing takes about 35 minutes and cheerfully wishes us a good and enjoyable voyage. So Southern gracious and quite cute too. LOL
The pelicans abandoned all but one piling--and that one was quite crowded. Others, who couldn't get on, were swimming around the boat patiently waiting its departure. As we pulled out I watched them resume their fishing posts until the next ferry incursion. Bill pointed out the fact that the ferry had kissed the nearest piling at least a few times. LOL
I love being on the water ---especially when the swells are gentle and the chop not too heavy. I could have wished for less haze but the sun glinting off the water and the gentle roll of the boat were so relaxing. The entry to the Dauphin Island landing was lined with Coast Guard cutters, small cruise boats and the Port Master's boat.
After landing we turned toward Fort Gaines, the other defense site for entry to the bay and route to Mobile. It is here that Admiral Farragut uttered his famous--Damned the torpedoes ( mines ) Full Speed Ahead. Look at all those gun ports on this fort--Farragut's gun boats took out all but one of them. He had landed a large force behind the fort before his attack from the water. Needless to say, Gaines, the commander after whom the fort has since been named, graciously accepted Farragut's invitation, under a flag of truce, to join him aboard his ship for a glass of wine and to tender the fort's surrender. The Union had control of Mobile Bay!
After a quick stop in the gift shop we headed off the Island and across Heron Bay, looking out at the large ships moving toward Mobile. Picked up Rt188 west and pretty quickly came upon Mary's Place. Established in 1922 by a black lady named Mary, who lived to 102, it is now operated by a white couple who identify themselves on the back of their menu. I had a half muffaletta to die for and two huge glasses of some of the best sweet tea I've ever had. Bill had a small oyster po'boy which he said was also delicious. As we left our waitress said God Bless You and have a safe trip. We are once more in strong Baptist land.
These little towns are so funny--never had the coach out in the road stopping traffic to let students and faculty out of the schoolyard--and let me tell you--he had the hand moves down and no one was moving until all the school vehicles were out. In time, we reached 90 west and followed it straight to our motel in Biloxi. Unfortunately, I did not buy another battery for this camera--they are really expensive--but I should have. The entry bridge and causeway into Biloxi is really spectacular and the strip of casinos and mansions is beautiful. My battery was depleted however and no matter how I tried to trick it--there was no juice available. Don't think we'll ever take that way into Biloxi again but maybe I can find shots on the internet. Not going to search tonight however.
So, I had hoped to walk the white sands of the Biloxi beach and the weather has turned foul. Raining now, supposed to get severe at times and we have a tornado watch until 9 pm. Supposed to be thunderstorms tomorrow! The weather this year has made the trip so far a bit uncomfortable. Primarily the humidity but for the last week or so it has been the heat and humidity. It has never been like this on our visits to the Gulf before. Oh, well, at least it isn't snow. And that is the whole reason for being here at all--no cold, no snow, no ice. Success is ours! LOL
Tomorrow Louisiana--north of Lk Pontchatrain---no New Orleans. Bill won't do cities--besides he really wouldn't enjoy it there anyway--though he does like the music I've brought home from there. Until then, take it easy!
We passed through more tree plantations that had been control burned and pastures of cattle. In several locations we passed work crews from the local correctional institutions doing mowing alongside the road. Love the DOC letters on their backs. In Freeport we came upon a very small local cafe. We and another couple were to only none residents--they were from Montana and stood out very noticeably as tourists with the fancy studded bag and his well pressed shorts and matching polo shirt and dockers. We looked Northern pale but still were dressed like the other patrons. I had a large pancake that was very YELLOW and two sausage patties with syrup whose ingredients I chose not to read and dishwater coffee. Oh, well, you win some, you lose some. The price was right, anyway. Continued along until the road turned once more toward the Gulf and into Niceville. Interesting, that is the fictional name chosen by the fictional author in The Help.
Not having any new scenery to enjoy I started noticing billboards: Life is Short, Have Seconds at Louis' Pizza! And some others which I've forgotten!The walkway outside a high school wishing Katelyn and Jalen happy 16th birthday. Then we got onto I 10 toward Pensacola. It is very similar in this area to the Taconic Parkway in NYS.
Pensacola is the home of the Navy Blue Angels. I'd love to see them or The Thunderbirds sometime. They are so beautiful and the pilots such pros. This plane was in one of the rest areas. I was playing with the new camera--still not terribly happy with it--but I'm learning gradually. As we continued West the sky became more cloudy and thunderheads were forming--we were running just south of all that storm activity in Alabama etc. and the northern sky showed it.
Once we got through the Pensacola and Naval Air Stations area we were home free into Alabama! At last, out of Florida. It seemed as though we would NEVER make any headway westward. It was like last Fall in North Dakota--thought we'd never move on. But at long last --The Alabama welcome sign and center. I have no idea how I managed to either lose or leave behind the maps for Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. I know I got them out of the box of maps but they either fell out in some motel or I left that packet at home though I cannot imagine where. Oh, well, we picked up a new Alabama map and, when I admired a really clever poster showing caricatures of famous people and places in Alabama, the young girl asked if I'd like one. It was free so why not? I was amazed at home many of the places on the poster we've been to. Guess we've spent some time in the place where Stars Fell!
As we returned to the car, a young man on a motorcycle cruised over. With a big grin, he said--see you guys got lost, too! He was from Montreal. We told him about living in Highgate and St Albans and how Montreal was a frequent haunt in those days--at least for me, if not Bill! Sitting and plotting our path we noticed the Mobile Bay ferry. So we went back in to see if it is operating, since it is a long way south with no other path to the other side. The girl gave us all the info and our path was chosen. Called and made a reservation in Foley,Al and we were on our way. Exit 44 to 59 South to the Quality Inn.
Tammy, the manager, was just so welcoming. She has an artificial tree in the lobby that she decorates throughout the year---she already has it festooned with Easter decorations and the windows and doors have Easter decals and a big welcome Spring sign on the entrance. Just so jovial. And she said, you guys need a jacuzzi and upgraded us to a king room with one.
Got into the perfect room and as we unpacked our little cloth cooler it was soaking wet on the outside--but not on the inside. OMG, it is so humid, the darned thing had condensation on the outside--it was sweating! My hair which is straight as a pin is FRIZZING!!
Applebees was right next door so we went over for a quick meal and then returned to the room where I simply dropped into the jacuzzi for about an hour. Nothing worth anything on TV so to bed at 9, which was really 10 since we have crossed into Central Time.
This morning we went to breakfast before packing to leave but then on the road to the Gulf Shores and headed toward the ferry at Fort Morgan. Several little clusters of pastel houses high on stilts along the way. The color of the houses make me happy--they look like spring flowers--and like Hawaiian shirts would look out of place anywhere else but on the shores of a body of water in the hot South with blazing sun and balmy breezes. Fort Morgan which was also a Civil War defense installation at the mouth of Mobile Bay is sort of in complete decay. A path allows exploration but it didn't look very inviting. Instead we proceeded to the ferry landing.
Every piling had a pelican on it. Fun to watch the shuffling of positions--everytime one of them dove into the water another would take its piling place. More birds than places so it was constant musical chairs. Soon a flotilla of some sort of duck arrived--smoothly gliding along--and then as one, diving together. Avian synchronized swimming. We had an hour wait for the ferry but the day was so perfect and the birds so amusing the time went by quite quickly. We also were chatted up by a local Alabamian who had lived for about 30 years in Arizona but came back home. Talked about the service boat approaching the rig--bringing supplies and maybe shuttling shifting crews.
Bill noticed small rocks in the crotch of the tree we were sitting under. It appears that they were deposited there by surf surge. Kind of sobering to see how high and rough the water can be. Apparently the last hurricane to hit this particular site was Ivan--about ten years ago.
A shrimp boat came slowly by with a flock of pelicans close behind. And then came the 1145 ferry to take us to Dauphin Island. The Captain himself directs us aboard. Then one of the crew comes along to collect the toll, tell us that we may roam the deck at will, where the head is located and that the crossing takes about 35 minutes and cheerfully wishes us a good and enjoyable voyage. So Southern gracious and quite cute too. LOL
The pelicans abandoned all but one piling--and that one was quite crowded. Others, who couldn't get on, were swimming around the boat patiently waiting its departure. As we pulled out I watched them resume their fishing posts until the next ferry incursion. Bill pointed out the fact that the ferry had kissed the nearest piling at least a few times. LOL
I love being on the water ---especially when the swells are gentle and the chop not too heavy. I could have wished for less haze but the sun glinting off the water and the gentle roll of the boat were so relaxing. The entry to the Dauphin Island landing was lined with Coast Guard cutters, small cruise boats and the Port Master's boat.
After landing we turned toward Fort Gaines, the other defense site for entry to the bay and route to Mobile. It is here that Admiral Farragut uttered his famous--Damned the torpedoes ( mines ) Full Speed Ahead. Look at all those gun ports on this fort--Farragut's gun boats took out all but one of them. He had landed a large force behind the fort before his attack from the water. Needless to say, Gaines, the commander after whom the fort has since been named, graciously accepted Farragut's invitation, under a flag of truce, to join him aboard his ship for a glass of wine and to tender the fort's surrender. The Union had control of Mobile Bay!
After a quick stop in the gift shop we headed off the Island and across Heron Bay, looking out at the large ships moving toward Mobile. Picked up Rt188 west and pretty quickly came upon Mary's Place. Established in 1922 by a black lady named Mary, who lived to 102, it is now operated by a white couple who identify themselves on the back of their menu. I had a half muffaletta to die for and two huge glasses of some of the best sweet tea I've ever had. Bill had a small oyster po'boy which he said was also delicious. As we left our waitress said God Bless You and have a safe trip. We are once more in strong Baptist land.
These little towns are so funny--never had the coach out in the road stopping traffic to let students and faculty out of the schoolyard--and let me tell you--he had the hand moves down and no one was moving until all the school vehicles were out. In time, we reached 90 west and followed it straight to our motel in Biloxi. Unfortunately, I did not buy another battery for this camera--they are really expensive--but I should have. The entry bridge and causeway into Biloxi is really spectacular and the strip of casinos and mansions is beautiful. My battery was depleted however and no matter how I tried to trick it--there was no juice available. Don't think we'll ever take that way into Biloxi again but maybe I can find shots on the internet. Not going to search tonight however.
So, I had hoped to walk the white sands of the Biloxi beach and the weather has turned foul. Raining now, supposed to get severe at times and we have a tornado watch until 9 pm. Supposed to be thunderstorms tomorrow! The weather this year has made the trip so far a bit uncomfortable. Primarily the humidity but for the last week or so it has been the heat and humidity. It has never been like this on our visits to the Gulf before. Oh, well, at least it isn't snow. And that is the whole reason for being here at all--no cold, no snow, no ice. Success is ours! LOL
Tomorrow Louisiana--north of Lk Pontchatrain---no New Orleans. Bill won't do cities--besides he really wouldn't enjoy it there anyway--though he does like the music I've brought home from there. Until then, take it easy!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Finally, We Are Out of Florida!!!!
Just a short note tonight --just glad to be in Alabama. Tired and will write more tomorrow--but not much to tell about the last day in Florida. Fog --so inland, trees, ranches and nothing exciting. Humidity, heat and boring scenery. Even the palms are gone. But finally, across the state line and maybe, just maybe, we'll move West. Will fill you in tomorrow, for now, a jacuzzi break in our upgrade for 80.99 tonight. L>ove it!!!Finally, We Are Out of Florida!!!! Just a short note tonight --just glad to be
in Alabama. Tired and will write more tomorrow--but not much to tell about the
last day in Florida. Fog --so inland, trees, ranches and nothing exciting.
Humidity, heat and boring scenery. Even the palms are gone. But finally, across
the state line and maybe, just maybe, we'll move West. Will fill you in
tomorrow, for now, a jacuzzi break in our upgrade for 80.99 tonight. L>ove
it!!!
This is not to say that we haven't enjoyed our visits with our friends--because that has been wonderful. Nor, I might add, is this necessarily how Bill feels, but, since I'm doing the blogging, you are getting my feelings. He is totally non - techno or social media savvy so this is all me--unless I quote him!
I have never liked Florida and am glad to see it in my rear view mirror! Good night y'all!
This is not to say that we haven't enjoyed our visits with our friends--because that has been wonderful. Nor, I might add, is this necessarily how Bill feels, but, since I'm doing the blogging, you are getting my feelings. He is totally non - techno or social media savvy so this is all me--unless I quote him!
I have never liked Florida and am glad to see it in my rear view mirror! Good night y'all!
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