Mammoth Goes Home

 Saturday,  February 6

Nothing much planned and nothing much happened. It was misty rainy all day, off and on. We took the usual walks and I tried to jog for a bit, but there was no place much to go and it started raining on me. Plus I got distracted by some little sparrows hanging out on the rocks and grass by the side of the road.

Ed and I walked the dogs out to the dam and locks. It didn't appear to be the kind of dam that makes a lake, but rather, just one to hold back water in the case of floods. We went as far as we could but the dam area was restricted and there was a coast guard facility on the ground between the river and the diversion.

After that I tried work a little, and somehow time mysteriously evaporated until before I knew it, it was time for the late afternoon dog walk and then supper. The parties in the park were somewhat subdued, probably due to the cold and misty weather, but we could still hear the stupid thum-thum-thum when the TV was off. But no matter--we're binge-watching Castle episodes and so the TV is rarely off.

Sunday February 7

We left the park at 10:08, which was very good considering that we had to hook up the tow dolly and load the car. Plus, since we had a full-hookup site, Ed went ahead and washed out the black water tank into the sewer. Nice to have sewer, but not worth the price or "amenities" of a private RV park. We'll continue to avoid them in future.

It was very chilly--45 degrees--and overcast. There were thin spots in the clouds at places, but they never broke up until we were well into Texas. But at least there was no wind.

In future I'll refer to Louisiana as The Land of the Great White Bird. Everywhere you go there are Great Egrets.

I-49 from Lafayette to Shreveport is a boringly lovely drive. Nothing to look at, but that means there's nothing to slow us down, either. Just nice wide (although often bumpity) Interstate Highway.

We had a quick stop and dog walk at the rest stop on I-20 just over the Texas border. Then a 10-minute gas fill-up at QT truck stop in Greenville. We pulled into the driveway at 3:10 after a trip of 306.0 miles. By 4:06 we were hooked up and unloaded. Game over.

NOTES:
1. For longer trips, throw a few iced tea bags in; double up on the Pretzel Bits and other snacks
2. Always put the cooler bag and a few freezer packs in to use during travel. It's easy enough to get up and walk to the fridge while Mammoth is moving, but I don't like doing it. It's much easier to pack lunch before getting on the road.
3. When planning trips, count on stopping for gas every 250 miles or 4-1/2 hours of driving.
4. Check out fishing on the Red River and consider bringing the boat to Colfax RV park sometime in the spring or fall
5. Check out these state parks in LA: Cypremont Point, Lake Fausse Pointe, and Palmetto Island
6. The book I started reading, Louisiana Rambles by Iam McNulty, is excellent. I wish I'd read it before the trip. Apparently when we were at Tickfaw we were very close to two makers of excellent Andouille Sausage. Author's opinion, of course
7. Buy again: Margaret Holmes Seasoned Field Peas and Snaps
8. See if you can make tofu into a spread suitable for cracker sandwiches. Also get a jar of pineapple cream cheese and some fake lunch meat.

Final note
Louisana has some superb state parks. Come back here when the pandemic is over, and eat lots of Cajun food!  Boudin, fresh cracklin's, crawfish etauffee. We should be able to buy some Stansel's Gourmet rice locally, too, and save the $20 shipping we've been paying.