With so much free time on my hands, thanks to Covid-19, you might think I would have finished writing about my dinner trip to New Orleans in March by now. After all, I did get home almost three months ago.
But, if there is anything I excel at, it is letting time slip through my fingers.
Anyway, back to the trip.
I left Baton Rouge and made my way to Lake Bruin State Park in Saint Joseph, Louisiana. I booked two nights so that I could take a moment and consider my options. I still thought I could practice social distancing and travel, but I wanted to rest and think thing through before deciding to either continue my travels or to head home.
I got there just after 5:00, and the staff had already packed it in for the night. Usually they leave the park pass and any campground information at the office for late arrivals, but that didn’t seem to be the custom here.
However, there were plenty of available campsites. In fact, there were only about six or so campsites that were occupied. I picked one that they had listed as reserved for late arrivals and set up camp.
I had dinner and decided to just hang out in the T@b. The weather wasn’t that great and I was kind of tired. I had been driving for days!
The next day, I set out to take a look at the campground. Not the only did they have campsites, they also rented cabins. I would have loved to take a look inside!
I’ll bet they are great for family reunions!
That connecting deck would make going back and forth really convenient, and I do love porches!
The main reason for the park is the lake. The water sounds so funny because I am standing on one of the several docks for fishing.
I was fascinated by the cypress knees. Auntie Lo used to have one in her living room. I wonder if my cousin Mark still has it? I’ll have to ask him next time I talk to him.
The people who stay here seem to be all about fishing. There are several docks for people to fish from, as well as places to moor boats. There is also this cute little shed for cleaning fish.
Brrr! Putting fish carcasses in a grinder?! I guess I’m really even more happy that I don’t like fish and that no one was there processing fish…
They do have quite the set up, though. The most I have ever seen at other parks is a can dedicated to fish “parts”. You know what they say…”Parts is parts.”
Now, if you wanted a deluxe campsite right by the fish shed, well you could have one. I imagine that you might have to book well in advance if you wanted to stay there during peak season.
This campsite had a little patio in addition to the requisite picnic table and fire ring… and a view of Lake Bruin.
I continued my stroll around the campground. Fish aren’t my thing, but I do like flowers.
I always wonder how these cultivated-looking flowers get places you wouldn’t expect them. But, there they were, blooming merrily in the duff.
This one looked more at home.
I was thrilled to find this plant so I could get a closer look. I had seen them along the various Interstates, but I couldn’t get a good view. It’s hard to do plant identification at 60 miles an hour.
I was glad to be able to see it better, but it definitely looks like something you’d better not touch!
I happened upon a flower I could readily identify. Dandelions – the harbinger of spring!
These little white blossoms on a vine by the side of the road outside the park. After I looped through the park, I decided to walk down the road a ways.
I noticed on Google maps that the Lake Bruin was near the Mississippi River.
In fact, I could hear the heavy sound of diesel motors running from my campsite. I assumed that they were pushing barges up or down the river. I wondered if I could see the river.
At the end of the road, I saw this gate. It looked like it guarded a way to get to the levee, so I went exploring. It didn’t have a “no trespassing” sign, although there might have been one there at one time or another.
I went through a gap in the fence next to the gate and climbed up one slope of the levee and down the other side.
The road lead through some small trees. Judging by the branch suspended by the vine, the road is not used often.
There was a sign that marked “Chuck’s Lane.” I didn’t want to run into Chuck, so I took the road to the left.
It climbed another small levee.
As I came down the other side, I could see the river!
The Gathering of Waters. The Big Muddy. Old Man River.
It looks like the river was running kind of high.
Well, I had made it to the river. Time to retrace my steps back to the campground.
I climbed up the levee closest to the main road.
There is a road along the top of the levee. I imagine they need to check on the levee from time to time.
The sign pointed the way back to the park.
I managed to get a good shot of Louisiana’s state flag. I love the mother pelican feeding the babies! I checked, just to make sure I had the right bird. Well, I did, but according to State Symbols USA, the mother bird is “nurturing its young by tearing at its own breast.” Ewww…
However, according to information on the website, pelicans DO NOT feed their young with their own blood.
“Pelicans do NOT tear at their own flesh to feed their young. This legend, which has taken on some religious significance as a symbol of self-sacrifice, dates back to at least medieval times. It may have begun as a result of misinterpretation of normal feeding behavior, in which the parent holds it bill down along its breast as young reach in to take fish from the parent’s bill or pouch. The truth is that pelican parents, facing starvation, would abandon their young and save themselves.”
I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or not.
Anyway, with the extra time I gave myself at the park to consider whether to continue traveling or return home, I came to the decision that there were enough unknowns that I might as well head for home.
I was happy that there was a sunset to look at.
Here it is, over one of the several fishing docks.
And a shot from the dock, as well.
The next morning, I hitched up, emptied my tanks and headed out. I turned right at the corner and followed the directions to the Walmart in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Yeah, I know…Walmart. I never shop there, but I had to rewinterize the trailer, as I was heading back to winter.
I entered through the doors near the grocery department, and marveled at the shelves that were picked clean. I did pick up a few things that I thought might be useful, if conditions were as grim at home.
I found the RV antifreeze and the funnel I use to put it in. I did flipped the levers, emptied the lines and added the antifreeze and then retraced my route.
I spent the night in the same Cracker Barrel I stayed in on the way down. I arrived late, but thought I’d grab breakfast in the morning.
Uh, no breakfast this time.
I made do with the food I had with me. Heaven knows I had enough food! After all, I had brought along as much as I could, seeing as I had planned to be gone for about two months.
The Cracker Barrel front porch was eerie, sitting there empty, but with all the lights on.
I’m not sure where this was, but someone I spoke with told me that they “hide” cell phone towers in obelisks.
Although I had just prepared the trailer for winter weather, the flowers at the rest stops were still blooming.
Good advice!
I got back to Michigan, and stopped to use the rest room at the Welcome Center.
The Welcome Center was closed, but at least the rest rooms were open.
Another few hours, and I was home.
Not too much changed since I left a week before, but I do appreciate the blue sky.
And, the weather is a little warmer, too.
But, really, I think this is the longest trip I’ve ever taken to meet friends for dinner!
