Saturday, November 27, 2010
I spent last night in the yard of Angela and Charlie Meeds of Simsboro. They told me the rock wall in front of their house was built by German prisoners located there during WWII. Before setting up the tent the previous evening, I asked Charlie about a nice looking area nestled in pines, that was next to his yard. He said there was a fence I would have to cross, plus he has a horse that likes that spot also. The mention of a horse was all I needed to discount the site in the pines. If you don't remember why, check days 53 & 54.
I spent last night in the yard of Angela and Charlie Meeds of Simsboro. They told me the rock wall in front of their house was built by German prisoners located there during WWII. Before setting up the tent the previous evening, I asked Charlie about a nice looking area nestled in pines, that was next to his yard. He said there was a fence I would have to cross, plus he has a horse that likes that spot also. The mention of a horse was all I needed to discount the site in the pines. If you don't remember why, check days 53 & 54.
It was cold last evening, and a good frost on the ground. I can stay warm inside the sleeping bag, but eventually have to get out.....that's the uncomfortable part. But, I soon was up, packed, and heading east. I walked a few miles and came to a convenience store where I stopped for breakfast. It's in Grambling, LA, home of Grambling State University Fighting Tigers. It's also the home of the Eddie G Robinson Museum.......Robinson being the winningest coach ever in college football
The next town along Hwy 80 is Ruston, about 7 miles east. Hwy 80 is still 2 lane, no shoulder, but also almost no traffic. The 7 miles passed reasonably quickly.....I have noticed several armadillos in LA, so they've crossed the border. All had met their maker unfortunately. As I came into west Ruston, the first thing I noticed is Louisiana Tech University. It's big and modern, and dominates the west end of town. I also noticed it has an Air Force ROTC program, which is something my grandson Kevin is interested in. Hwy 80 splits coming into town, and I stayed with traffic this time. And good I did because 80 takes a turn south in town. I stopped and rested a while once outside the town, before heading on toward Choudrant.
Hwy 80 in LA is rolling, as much as in TX. For some reason I expected LA to be flat, but not where I'm walking. I also noticed there are mileage markers, which is nice. Each one is a small accomplishment on a long walk. I passed a really friendly horse, and decided to try the mints on him. He liked them, and tried to eat them, but they kept falling out of his mouth. The horses back home just chew them up. After giving him a couple of tries, I moved on.
Soon I was in the village of Choudrant, and asked around about a place to have lunch. I was told to try Doody's Diner, about 1/4 mile north of 80. How can you not like a place with a name like that, so I headed there. It was small, but nice, and the featured dish was catfish. In TX, chicken fried steak is always featured, in LA, always catfish. So, I had catfish and all the fixings, and lemon pie for dessert. I asked the waitress several times how to pronounce the name of the village, but not sure i ever got it correct. After lunch, back on 80 toward Calhoun......about 10 miles east.
Hwy 80 between Choudrant and Calhoun has been newly repaved, and called the Korean War veterans Memorial Highway. I've seen that before, a couple days back. Maybe this is maintained by Parish, and not state. I came upon a man, woman, and child, cutting and loading firewood, I had to have a picture, because this was always one of our favorite "after Thankgiving" activities. And, our children were about the age of the little girl in the picture when they started. That's Jeff, Candace, and Harley in the picture. We talked a while, and I moved on, arms aching just watching them.
It was getting late when I came to Calhoun. I stopped at a convenience store to ask about possible camping spots, and after talking for a while, decided to camp behind the store in a large field. I headed there and had the tent up and stuff inside about the time it was dark. There was a row of pine trees between the store and the tent to shield it from view. A train passed several hundred yards south, and I could hear the traffic on I-20 to the north. Two familiar noises for some time now. I had Friday's USA Today paper to read, so all is well.
The next town along Hwy 80 is Ruston, about 7 miles east. Hwy 80 is still 2 lane, no shoulder, but also almost no traffic. The 7 miles passed reasonably quickly.....I have noticed several armadillos in LA, so they've crossed the border. All had met their maker unfortunately. As I came into west Ruston, the first thing I noticed is Louisiana Tech University. It's big and modern, and dominates the west end of town. I also noticed it has an Air Force ROTC program, which is something my grandson Kevin is interested in. Hwy 80 splits coming into town, and I stayed with traffic this time. And good I did because 80 takes a turn south in town. I stopped and rested a while once outside the town, before heading on toward Choudrant.
Hwy 80 in LA is rolling, as much as in TX. For some reason I expected LA to be flat, but not where I'm walking. I also noticed there are mileage markers, which is nice. Each one is a small accomplishment on a long walk. I passed a really friendly horse, and decided to try the mints on him. He liked them, and tried to eat them, but they kept falling out of his mouth. The horses back home just chew them up. After giving him a couple of tries, I moved on.
Soon I was in the village of Choudrant, and asked around about a place to have lunch. I was told to try Doody's Diner, about 1/4 mile north of 80. How can you not like a place with a name like that, so I headed there. It was small, but nice, and the featured dish was catfish. In TX, chicken fried steak is always featured, in LA, always catfish. So, I had catfish and all the fixings, and lemon pie for dessert. I asked the waitress several times how to pronounce the name of the village, but not sure i ever got it correct. After lunch, back on 80 toward Calhoun......about 10 miles east.
Hwy 80 between Choudrant and Calhoun has been newly repaved, and called the Korean War veterans Memorial Highway. I've seen that before, a couple days back. Maybe this is maintained by Parish, and not state. I came upon a man, woman, and child, cutting and loading firewood, I had to have a picture, because this was always one of our favorite "after Thankgiving" activities. And, our children were about the age of the little girl in the picture when they started. That's Jeff, Candace, and Harley in the picture. We talked a while, and I moved on, arms aching just watching them.
It was getting late when I came to Calhoun. I stopped at a convenience store to ask about possible camping spots, and after talking for a while, decided to camp behind the store in a large field. I headed there and had the tent up and stuff inside about the time it was dark. There was a row of pine trees between the store and the tent to shield it from view. A train passed several hundred yards south, and I could hear the traffic on I-20 to the north. Two familiar noises for some time now. I had Friday's USA Today paper to read, so all is well.
Morning Jeff, HA , I had to laugh over the Choudrant remark. For many years, I have felt for folks trying to figure this one out . To make it simple for you, the local folks just say " SHOO-DRUNT". So, that be the name of Choudrant !!
ReplyDeleteOnce you get past Monroe, to the East and cross the bridge where Hwy 139 and hwy 80 do a " Y ", you will notice the lay of the land get FLAT. Lots of Pecan Trees and Agriculture land ahead of you. Hwy 80 travels right through the Flat, Mississippi River bottom lands from a few hundred years ago. It is rich and fertile and as a kid, 1950's , this was where all the cotton and soybeans came from ! Many, Many Farms . You'll have about 80 miles of this FLAT STUFF ( Monroe 71' sea level gradually rising to around 150 ft above sea level ) then, the Mississippi River and Hills in Vicksburg, around 200 ft above sea level.
You will pass through Delhi, about 30-35 miles East of Monroe, and may see the new Lamb Wesson Sweet Potato Facility, we are proud to have. This is sweet potato country and if you haven't tried the Sweet Potato Fries, you have missed a treat ! These are fairly new to the menu as of the last year or so.
You will cross a few bayou's and a little swampy stuff but just hang on, each step you take, toward Mississippi is a little higher in altitude !!
Enjoy all you can of Louisiana and when you get on the other side, look back and ask yourself " Why did people fight and die for that , " ? GRIN.
Have a safe trip, Mickey
Greetings Jeff,
ReplyDeleteYou're almost to the mighty Mississippi. Hopefully the people east of it will be as good to you as the people west of it have been to this point.
Enjoy the rest in Monroe and recharge!
Derek
Hello, my name is Maki from Japan, and I am looking for Charlie Meeds. I am back in Tokyo now but I really want to get in touch with him. I studies at LA Tech from 2000 to 2001, and Charlie helped me a lot of my study there. Please give me some information. I am planning to to back to the States next month and I would really really like to see him.
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