Autumn almost always means a little getaway for my sweet Mister and I. This year we have decided to do a little road trip into Louisiana (kind of a last minute, spur of the moment idea) and have booked an AirBNB for the first couple of nights in Natchitoches. In order to keep this account real, I need to share the confirmation email we received upon booking:
"Hello folks, welcome to Louisiana. Let me manage expectations a bit- I need to update Airbnb page. The approach road is full of potholes. Somehow related to Louisiana politics so that’s part of the tourist experience.
The house water smells like well water does. It is true, I can’t deny it.
The dogs bark at the pig when she comes in the doggie door, and when they hear something upstairs in your apartment (normally the swinging door into bathroom). This should last just an annoying moment or two.
Your apartment is reached via outside staircase. The motion lights are not yet lined up optimally so a flashlight is at foot of stairs. Nights are bright in the moonlight, but this week we have dark, star-filled mornings.
Oh yes, in fact the shower has only one temperature. I can adjust that. The heat control for air is on your wall.
I will leave your key on the table.
I’ll be at our flea market until 2 pm tomorrow. It is located at 121 Miller Drive, one mile from house.
You are welcome to come to the house anytime tomorrow. No need to wait for official check in time.
Lastly, I am the token white at a black full-gospel church across the street. As in fish-net stockings, big hats, best wigs, disco lights, and lots of dancing. The preacher is a prophet. Do you remember in Oh Brother Where Art Thou, the blind railman who prophesied the cow on the roof of the cotton house? He’s like that. Anyway, a fun 3-4hour service on Sunday and you are invited."
Our first stop is in Athens, where my good friend, Sherri, is celebrating a birthday and working at a church bazaar. It's on our way so a quick visit and tour of the beautiful products and facilities leaves me in awe. Oh goodness. Y'all really need to join the Crafty Ladies -- these gals know how to make things happen. This darling ornament makes its way home with me - well, via Louisiana.Happy Birthday, girlfriend. I hope you have a magnificent day tomorrow.
Now for some breakfast and when I was here last time I went to The Cherry Laurel so that's where we are off to.
We're a little late and they aren't offering breakfast anymore, but coffee and a cinnamon roll will meet the current needs. It's just important to start this journey with SOMETHING in the belly. The unanimous vote is to get along.Okay, map in hand. GPS is on. My list is nearby. Let's really go. Loves Lookout in Jacksonville is number one. It is touted as one of East Texas' most breathtaking views and that alone makes it a worthy stop. With things as flat as they are here, views are hard to come by. According to the Texas Historical Commission - "On this nine mile long ridge there are two historic lookout points which command a view of 30-35 miles, between this site, with an elevation of 713 feet and Point Lookout (1/4 mile nw.), lies a narrow valley. An Indian trail and later a pioneer road crossed this valley. The pass became known as McKee's Gap in 1846, after Thomas McKee led a group of Presbyterians here from Tennessee and began the town of Larissa (3.5 miles nw.). Named by McKee's son, the Rev. T.N. McKee, the village flourished as the location of Larissa College from the 1850s until the 1870s. Point Lookout was a popular recreational area for citizens of Larissa until the railroad bypassed the town and it declined. Around the turn of the century, John Wesley Love (1858-19125) bought this land and developed a 600-acre peach orchard, knows as Love's Lookout. The scenic point was used for outings by area residents. After Love's death, his family gave 22.22 acres, including the lookout site, to the state for a park. The city of Jacksonville bought 25 adjoining acres and developed both tracts as a WPA project. J.L. Brown and Jewel Newton Brown, former Larissa residents, gave the city 122 acres next to the park in 1940 in tribute to pioneers of Larissa."
(Do you see the lip on the rock wall in this picture?)
Looking over it.
It IS a stunning view of East Texas and a great place for a picnic, if only we had planned better.
Into Jacksonville and another spot I've read about. There is a factory here that is calling to be checked out and it deserves its own post, so here is the Texas Basket Company LINK. Give that a click to see oh so much. Yep, a basket comes home with me. (Full disclosure once again -- this was about $2 including tax.)
Jacksonville also holds the nickname of "Tomato Capital of the World" due to its history growing and shipping those red beauties. As a tribute, over 300 of these 665 lb. concrete tomatoes adorn the city. Each one is delivered plain red and the owner can decorate as desired. This is one at the basket company. Very fitting. If you want to see more of these, just Google Jacksonville tomatoes and click on images.
Henderson, TX is up next and they are having their Sugar Cane festival this weekend. Finding a spot to park downtown, off we go to explore.
I spot this group while Mister hits up the information booth as to how to find the sugar cane booth.
It turns out that there is a shuttle to the actual historic village area, but the line is crazy long. We opt to drive there ourselves and pass some pretty cool cars along the way.The other area is mere minutes away and we are soon parked once again. The first thing I see as I walk onto the grounds is this huge stack of sugar cane. When I was in Brazil, 15 years ago, I saw this made into a drinkable juice and loved it. All manual labor in the back of a van. Sound sketchy? Well, it probably was, but we bought it anyway. However, I had never heard it called "chewing cane." Nor, did I know you could do that. This could turn out to be pretty fun.
Nearby, the cane is being squeezed as in the past and I have to stand and watch for a bit.
These pictures show a bit better how the entire process works, but basically, the cane is fed into one side, the juice is squeezed into a holding tank and the remain is ejected out the other side, all while a horse just walks around and around in a circle.
Can you see?
From this machine, the juice goes into a giant pot and boiled down to syrup.
Back to the sign at the beginning. The Chewing Cane. I want to learn more. These canes are for sale individually and as bundles. As I'm studying the sign, another "Doug" comes up to speak with me.
This is at the very bottom of the sign. He explains that once it is opened this way, it will dry out and this is for display only.
Grabbing a fresh cane, he starts to make similar cuts, showing me exactly how to do i, while Mister speaks with another man and gets additional information. I am able to "chew" on a piece that is cut off for me and it's just so yummy. Oh my. Then, my kind teacher just gives me the entire cane to take with me.
Right beside this is a broom making exhibit. Okay, I've never really thought about how this was done in the past and so I am fascinated once again.
It's kind of a "use your eyes to learn" exhibit and without Mister, I would have missed so much. Look close and you can figure out what they have done as well.
The final step is to trim the bristles.
As we wander about, a pre-teen offers me a fresh pork rind to taste. What? Yes, I love pork rinds, but if they are making these, that interests me much more and I'm off to learn once again. Do you know how they do this? It's just so cool. The entire process begins with these dried pieces of rind. They are not very big -- think 1-2" squares. Several cups are added to the boiling fat (lard, oil, etc.).
Within seconds, little rinds start to puff up. It's like watching donuts come to life, but they just keep growing until the beautiful treats are ready to eat.
They are drained with a wire utensil and then on paper towels as well. A little seasoning and, YUM. Crackling ensures too!!!
In a nearby barn, a cotton gin is on display. This thing is HUGE. Since I'm still learning all about this process, just enjoy the pictures.
This bale of cotton is as tall as me. Additionally, I learn that one bale of cotton can make one of the things on this list: 215 pairs of jeans, 249 bed sheets, 409 men's sport shirts, 690 terry bath towels, 765 men's dress shirts, 217 men's t-shirts, 1256 pillowcases, 2104 boxer shorts, 2419 men's briefs, 3085 diapers, 4323 mid-calf socks, 6436 women's knit briefs, 21, 940 women's handkerchiefs, or 313,600 $100 bills. (Do ya think this list was created by a man?)
Just outside the barn they are making ice cream. Oh my goodness. So, so good.
The next area stops Mister in his tracks. He has to learn more about this. He is flint knapping and it is very cool watching him takes the slices off rocks to create usable tools. It's another great one to look up, you'll be fascinated as well.
Inside a nearby building, I spot this vintage beauty shop. OH my. Check out those clips --- it looks so scary.
As is Vicky Polve's booth. Again, this deserves a post all it's own and I am struck with wonder and awe. Seriously, please check out this Pine Needle Basket LINK.
We've spent as much time here as we can in order to get to our room for the evening. Back in the car once again, a stop is right off the road -- no detour at all -- and we check it out. The Footprints in the Sand Monument is just outside of Carthage, TX and I want a few quiet moments to enjoy it. The poem is the first thing you see as you walk up. (The entire monument can be seen from the road, so this is from the walkway.)
Follow - and notice that there are two sets.
Which become one as it nears the statue.
I've lightened this picture so you can see features better, but I love the sun behind it above.
The size is overwhelming and detail has not been spared.
We are to meet our hostess soon, the address is in the GPS and no more stops until we arrive. This is what we find. Remember, we are GOOD adventurers.
THIS is the doggie door she spoke of for the pig.
But THIS, this is our view of the bayou. Oh wow. With the sun setting behind us, it is incredible.
Our little apartment has a rear entrance behind the house and it's really fun. Up the stairs we go, through the little gate at the top of them and into the loft. It's clean, fully furnished, and VERY comfy.
The kitchen is unique. Smile as you read that. Do you see the freezer? Well, there isn't a refrigerator. Odd, right? Fortunately, we don't cook our own food when traveling, so no need of one. The "tools" on the rack just crack Mister up. These are typical kitchen utensils, right?
The bathroom, is a work in progress and all the walls are being covered with fun tiles. One could have a great time just trying to see all of them. It does give "bathroom" entertainment a new respect.
I think this is my favorite wall so far. What does that say about me? I like the creams/whites.
See, a work in progress.
The shelves near the bed house a mouse collection that makes my turtles look like the endangered species they are in reality.
Mister has to wander down to the water for pictures and as he's down there, he shouts up that he can see markings from alligator visits. What are you still doing down there?
Getting amazing pictures, of course. Oh wowzers. It is just beautiful here.
Looking back up at the house.
Adding to the charm of the place ---
Now that we've settle in, it's into Natchitoches (nack-a-tish) for the evening. I've found a brewery and it's our first stop, thinking we can relax a bit.
The place is packed as LSU and Alabama are playing and I thought Texas fans were wacko. There is a college here in town. Their football team is playing. This place is packed with college students who are way more interested in this game. It's lively and excitement is running high as LSU takes home the win. Through this, Mister has started up a conversation with a gentleman beside him, initially to get some information on a great place for dinner. Please meet Bill Brent. He is a Director Emeritus in the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University and a delightful chap. He suggests Mariner's for dinner and the next thing we know, he is calling them and getting us a reservation - "they know me". Our reservation is in about 20 minutes, meaning it's time to leave. Driving over, it dawns on us that we don't know what name the reservation is in. Punt.Mariner's is right on the lake. Nice.
So peaceful.
Entering, we simply start to say that "Bill Brent" . . and are cut off. They are ready for us and lead us to a wonderful table in the corner with an incredible view. Wow. Several tables around us sport reserved signs as well and people come and go while we enjoy our lovely meal. The food is great and I'm being daring -- telling myself beforehand that I want to try authentic Louisiana food.
It's a wonderful evening and a great introduction to the people of this town. I can't wait for tomorrow. One last look at the dock as we leave and then it's back to the apartment for the rest of the evening. Albums on the player, music in the air, and complete relaxation. It was an early morning and this is a slice of heaven. See y'all tomorrow. (Psst -- I have no idea why the shocked look on his face - maybe he just remembered something.)
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