Louisiana Swamps

After we left New Orleans we headed west further into Cajun Country. We stopped at a state park in Lake Charles near the Louisiana-Texas border. We were delighted to pull in and realize that there was a swamp running right through the campground.

We didn't spot any alligators, darn the luck, but there were plenty of turtles out sunning themselves.

This is a row of Cyprus Knees. They are part of the tree's root system; I don't entirely understand their purpose, but it has something to do with having some of their root above the water since Cyprus trees grow most often in the swampy areas.

I found the trees, often draped in moss, and the still waters of the swamps to be beautiful in a mysterious, haunting kind of way.

I think these must be where the expression "odd duck" came from. They have beautiful green iridescent feathers and the homeliest faces I have ever seen. And their swimming form and sounds they make, leave a lot to be desired!

I can't tell you how often, right along side the spanish moss, we would see a fishing bobber hanging all sad in the trees. A few of these trees looked like they were being decorated for an early Christmas :P

The campground wasn't all swamp, they were kind enough to provide swings for our favorite Mother-Son activity!

This tree next to the swings looked like it had been moonlighting as the local bulletin board.

The best part about traveling the country in our 5th wheel is that no matter how far we go or what state we're in, we are only a few steps from home.

New Orleans!

We've made it as far as New Orleans! What a fun/exciting/scary/and depressing place to be, lol. Typical of most big, older cities I suppose.

Joel was feeling a bit under the weather, so even though we were here for an entire week, we only made it into the city twice for less than 3 hours each time. At least it was enough to give us a little taste.

The French Quarter was full of fun and colorful architecture and the streets were crowded and narrow. Driving our one-ton crew cab truck down some of them was a bit of a challenge.

Down by the river was a city square where everyone seemed to gather and sell their wares.

Someone was trying to make a buck on every corner. This guy was one of our favorites. He earned our dollar and then some.

We grabbed some lunch here at the Rivers Edge. The food wasn't much to brag about, but it was great to sit down and watch the world go past our open french door style window.

The Saint Charles Line is the oldest continuously running Street Car line in the world. Its been running for over 150 years and its cars are definitely from another era.

Down town has street cars everywhere you turn and each time Seth would see or hear one, he would start talking excitedly about "the train" and want to get on it. So the second time we made it to town we made it a point to take a ride. Seth sat by the window and was really in his element.

Ellie couldn't have cared less, but like any woman worth her salt, she was excited to have her purse!

We ended the day touring through a fairly new WWII museum- now it was Joel's turn to be in his element!

*******************

"WELCOME TO THE END OF THE WORLD"

Sunday after attending a good sized branch not too far from here, I talked Joel into going for a long Sunday Drive. We headed about 75 miles down into the southern most point of Louisiana (that you can drive to) where the Mississippi finally empties into the Gulf.

At the point when you think you have come to the end of the road, it just turns and keeps on going right through the water (well it seems that way at least).

If you look closely at that little strip of land just past the trees, you will see a couple of cars driving on it. This view was looking back after we turned around to head back to the main land. You couldn't believe there was enough dirt there to make a road.

It was a fun place to watch the sun go down.

Farmerville, LA- Fun with Friends

This week we have been in Farmerville, Louisiana where Joel graduated from high school.

A few months ago Joel was able to get in touch with his good friend, Cindy who still lives here in town. She took us under her wing when we hit town and kept us well entertained and well fed!

She invited us out to her family home and spoiled us rotten!

She called up another one of their good high school buddy's, Bill, who came and spent the day. There were old "remember when' stories flying left and right.

This is Cindy and her husband, Brian, and Bill standing by Joel.

Cindy cooked up a true southern feast and had ruined Joel for my cooking.

She baked a turkey and made cornbread stuffing

sweat potato casserole

green beans with bacon

warm rolls

pecan pie

sweet potato pie with pecans

and a rich yummy chocolate cake!

I think we were all about waddling by the time we were done eating.

Brian took Seth and I out in their 'gator' for a tour through the back 40, so to speak. He really tried to find an armadillo for me to see, but we didn't have any luck.

Seth and Ellie made a new friend in Cindy's nephew

Cindy's dad has a new hobby of raising mules

Cindy found a big box for Seth and Ellie to play in.

They had a blast!

And to top off our fun day, it was also Ellie's 6 month half birthday. She is getting so big and is such a delight! What a blessing she is in our already blessed life.

Halloween

Last year Halloween just didn't happen for us. Joel's mamma had just passed away the week before and we had just gotten home from being there with her and attending the funeral and well- you know how it goes.

So this year I was determined to get the kids dressed up and teach Seth the joys of 'Trick or Treating'.

Not being from around here I thought a trunk or treat would be the way to go, so we got dressed up, climbed in the truck and started driving around past all the churches until we found one. And find one we did! ...(to be continued)

Ellie sported Seth's old lion costume, and pulled it off beautifully!

Seth was a bumble bee, but refused to wear the antenna I spent making him the night before!

... Unfortunately I'm not sure this was the fun and exciting introduction to trick or treating that I had hoped it would be. The lines were long and the people were stingy. At the end of the night Seth had stood in about 12 lines over a 45 minute period of time and came away with a pumpkin pail overflowing with 12 pieces of candy- including 6 mini suckers and 4 pieces of hard candy. Only 2, count em: 2 pieces of chocolate for me to steal when it was all said and done. Pitiful! I've got to plan better for next year.

Arkansas part 3- More Woodsons

While we were here in Russellville, we were able to go and spend some time with Joel's uncle and aunt that live just a few miles out of town.

Uncle Jimmy Dean is his dad's youngest half brother (23 years younger), with his wife Johnnie Faye and daughters Rhonda and Regina.

They live right at the base of Mount Nebo, a small but steep little mountain with 14% grade switch-backs climbing up to its flat top.

Seth was a little (ok, a lot) cranky when we got to the top, so he and I decided to check out what cool things were living in the puddles up there.

Then we could truly enjoy the view!

What a fun back yard!

Arkansas part 2- Where it all began and more

As I said before, Joel was born in the town of Russellville, Arkansas and lived there until he was 6 years old.

He had fun seeing the old family home (added onto and changed a bit)

and the church his dad worked at as an associational missionary.

One day we drove about 70 miles south through the hills to the little town of Mount Ida.

They lived here while he was between 6 and 9 years old

while his dad was an associational missionary here too.

After leaving Mount Ida we headed east to Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Most of the town was just typical town, but in the old part of town was Bathhouse Row, a truly fun place to see.

Behind the Row, up on the hill, was the Grand Promenade.

This was built back when the bathhouses were in their heyday in the 1940's to encourage exercise between bathing sessions.

It's a beautiful little 30 minute walk- if you walk faster and get distracted less than we did :-)

As you walk along you can see areas where the springs are coming up from the ground, and they are hot and steamy!

The bathhouses were grand and amazing.

There at the end of the row is "THE ARLINGTON". This grand hotel is a bit more, well, 'grand' than my little home town, but it found a soft place in my heart simply by sharing the name.