Florida Ride - Day Three

Florida Ride - Day Three

We started our ride this morning from Livonia.  The temperatures were in the low 50s and the humidity was in the high 90s.  It was hard to stay warm without sweating under my cool-weather riding gear.

The Spanish moss brought back a lot of old memories for me, from when I lived in Savannah, Georgia.













I hadn't peddled very long this morning before I noticed that the highway was littered with small chopped pieces of cane and other debris.

I found a place to pull off the road to see what was being grown.  And found two plantings, this young crop...

... and this full grown crop of sugar cane, reaching 8 to 10 feet high.  All of the chopped cane that I saw was being transported in large open-top trucks, thus the littering.

Louisiana cane takes about 13 months after planting before it is ready to be harvested.  The littering begins when harvesting starts in October.  It last about 3 months. 











As we were researching about the crops grown in the Acadiana Basin, we found that perhaps the most popular crop was that of rice/crawfish.

Rice is planted in flooded fields, then a couple of months later the same flooded fields are stocked with crawfish, which are ready for harvesting about three months later, just before the rice is ready to be harvested.










Several miles further down the road I found that the debris along the side of the road had changed.  I was now riding through logging country, and the debris along the road was pine bark chips.  The cross-winds from the passing vehicles blew it off the road and onto the shoulder where I needed to ride.












We had to cross the Mississippi River just after we arrived in Baton Rouge.  As with the Atchafalaya bridge, without any shoulder it was impossible to continue across the bridge on my bicycle.

Further, we found US 190 through Baton Rouge to treacherous for a bicycle, so Diane transported me to the outbound side of the city, where I resumed riding to our lunch destination.











We found a lovely park about a mile off the highway, where we stopped for a quiet lunch.  While I stretched out on a bench, Diane was able to walk around the park on the paved pedestrian paths.  (And not a mosquito in sight!)













When we arrived at out motel in Hammond, later in the afternoon, we received a recommendation to eat at a local diner.  Considering that we only had motel-room-sandwiches the night before, this place was great!

The service was first class, and the food was even better than that.

Takeaways: 

During today's ride I noticed a couple of different conditions: the highway being littered with chopped cane, and the highway being littered with pine bark.  Being aware of the presence of both of these could have stopped there without further thought or investigation.  Even noticing that the size and shape of the pine bark made it more apt to be blown to the side of the road wasn't that significant.  But as we continued to observe and inquire about local crops, we discovered and learned more than we were able to see -- the farming (production) of crawfish.  When the flooded rice fields are stocked with young crawfish, they burrow down into the mud 6 to 8 feet deep, where they stay and molt for the next three months, when they surface again to feed.  They are not only out of sight to us but to the farmers, as well.  In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord says: "study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people."  (And, I suppose Crawfish).  A major part of our trip and our sharing each time we got together was about the things each of us observed, or learned along the way.  Life is like that, we can go along accepting the things we see at face value, but altogether miss what is below the surface, unless we take the time and put forth the energy to learn what is really there. 

I was initially disappointed when Diane had to drive me across the Atchafalaya River, and then again across the Mississippi River.  My disappointment was rooted in my original intent of riding my bike from Texas to Florida.  From a purist point of view these necessary adjustments didn't allow me to fulfill that objective. But as I thought more about it, I realized that I wasn't doing this so I could report to someone monitoring my ride, but rather for my own enjoyment and purposes.  This change in my paradigm opened the way for us to make other appropriate, but not required adjustments, which proved to make the overall venture more enjoyable than it might otherwise have been.  Further, the minor adjustments we were thus able to make opened the way for us to see, do, and learn things that otherwise would not have been possible.  Life is like that, when disappointments, discouragement, or setbacks come along, we can let them derail us from our destiny, or real purpose in life, or we can use them to grow and progress, and still arrive at our ultimate destination, all the better for it. 

Florida Ride - Day Two

Florida Ride - Day Two

One of the reasons I chose US 190 for my primary route was that it had a wide shoulder with a protective "rumble" strip most of the way.

"Most" being the operative word.  Some had a "chipseal" overlay, making them very rough.

What I didn't consider was the general lack of variety in the scenery along the route or the massive amount of road-kill (turtles, racoons, opossums, dogs, cats, etc.) 










The scattered small towns along the way provided the change of scenery we were looking for.

Much of that variety underscored the poverty and general lack of care or upkeep in their properties.

The sign on this abandoned store raised the question in my mind, which came first: the deteriorated and abandoned building, or the lack of customers, in a seemingly dying town? 

The sign advertises Boudin, Sausage, Cracklin, and Smoked Meats.  Being in the heart of Cajun country, there didn't seem to be a lack of demand for these items.  

I couldn't help capturing this picture, in Elton, La. (Home of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana). 

The water tank seemed a bit small, but then so did the jail, until I found out that Elton only has a population of about 1,100 souls. 

Perhaps the jail is used mostly on Saturday nights, as it doesn't appear to have any facilities for long-term residents.

 

Someone in the Coushatta country takes pride in their community.   

This one one of the best seasonal displays we saw on our entire trip.

As mentioned previously, we spent much of our excursion on US 190 East.  This section of the highway is also known as the Acadiana Trail, and dissects a 22-Parish area known as the French Triangle of Louisiana.  

This bit of information highlights one of Diane's primary interests during our joint venture -- researching the local lore and customs.


  

Because of our general interest in above ground burials, I captured a picture of this small cemetery next to a Baptist Church in Basile, La.

Burial plots are shallow in this area because the water table is very high.  Dig a few feet down, and the grave becomes soggy, filling with water.  The casket will literally float. 

Diane and I met up for a few minutes in Eunice, La.  We found this Catholic church that had an almost park-like setting.  I found a bench to stretch out on. 

After several minutes the church doors opened and a slew of children emerged.  A church official approached me and asked what I was doing.  Apparently they were in the middle of mid-day Mass for the school when we arrived.

We didn't need a sign to tell us that we were in the middle of "something," we just didn't know that it was called the Atchafalaya Basin.

All around us, on both sides of the highway, were swamps.  The Atchafalaya Basin is the nation's largest river swamp, containing almost one million acres of America's most significant bottomland hardwoods, swamps, bayous, and backwater lakes.

In part, the making of the Basin was the result of efforts to control the ever-changing course of the Mississippi River, through a series of up-stream levies.

Our plan was to stop in Opelousas for lunch.  We had heard of Opelousas and thought that it would make a nice place to spread out and rest.  I was looking forward to a break -- they even had a public restroom. 

Diane found a nice picnic table under a large Live Oak tree; she had everything spread out and began to prepare our lunch, when the visitors arrived.  Mosquitoes!  Inter-bred for decades in the swamps until they've become aggressive animals.

We finally packed everything up and ate our lunch in the safety of the car.

From Opelousas, I continued to ride toward Krotz Springs, where I was to cross the bridge over the Atchafalaya River.   

Diane had been driving ahead advised me not to continue over the Atchafalaya bridge.

(The sign for the roadside store is advertising: Boudin, Cracklins, Cajun Meats, Beer and Ice.) 

Even though the bridge over the Atchafalaya River seemed to have a wide shoulder to ride on, the causeway on the other side of the bridge extended for about 4 miles, with no shoulder and no way to get off. 

Diane picked me up and we drove the rest of the way to Livonia, where we stayed that night. 

There were three places that we were directed to for dinner when we inquired.  One was a store associated with a filling station; another told us that it would take them an hour or so to fire up their grill; and the last wanted $30 each for fresh seafood (Catfish).

We decided to make sandwiches in our motel room.

Takeaways: 

The newspaper columnist, Jenkin Lloyd Jones, has been credited as saying: "Life is like an old-time rail journey -- delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.  The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."  I could truthfully add: Life is like a long bicycle ride ... miles of monotonous peddling, interspersed on occasion with inspiring and thought-provoking scenes. 

Among the pervasive evidences of abject poverty, like the neglected homesteads of the poorly maintained businesses, we saw evidences of individuals making a difference -- rising above their surroundings, taking responsibility for their own outcomes.  For example: someone in the small hamlet of Elton, cared enough to assemble a bright and cheerful seasonal display in a freshly mowed field.  Or in an old and moldy cemetery among the broken and forgotten flower pots, were placed fresh and colorful flowers in remembrance of a loved one.  Each of us as individuals can make a contribution.  And the contributions we make do not go unnoticed.  

We are wise to hurriedly return to safety as soon as the first signs of danger appear, even when it may be disappointing, inconvenient, or appears to be undesirable.  Safety may be found at home or with family, with moral and trusted friends, at church or other wholesome activities, or even in prayer. 

Just like with the wide shoulder shown approaching the bridge over the Atchafalaya River which, when just out of sight, completely disappeared to become an unforeseen trap, we need to rely on the experience, knowledge, and wisdom of others to help us along life's journey.  To try to do it alone will prove to be a huge mistake, perhaps one that cannot be rectified. 

Florida Ride - Day One

Florida Ride - Day One

We drove to Bon Wier, Texas, my official point of departure early in the morning of November 4, 2019.  It was a clear day, but a bit cool at about 41 degrees that morning.  I was glad to have had cool weather gear to wear for my ride.







By crossing the Sabine River I left Texas behind and started my long ride across Louisiana.  US 190 at the point was lightly traveled and had a good shoulder for me to ride on.  I felt safe; and full of anticipation.











The first place that I met up with Diane was in Merryville, LA.  Only about 7 miles into my ride, I was still full of anticipation and was enjoying an early morning ride in the Louisiana countryside.  Although there was no shoulder on LA 110, there was very little traffic on the road leaving Merryville.

We met up again at the crossroads of Singer, La, where LA 110 makes a little jog across the railroad tracks.  This section of the road was even less traveled.  It was somewhat like riding through a tunnel, as it was pretty much impossible to see beyond the trees and brush that lined the road.













However, we would occasionally come across a clearing of pasture land.  I was impressed with them, as they were generally well kept and clean, unlike the much of the properties we saw in the small towns.  While much of the terrain was flat, this part of my ride encountered a lot of rolling hills.













This is a picture of a small farm with a long gravel drive leading to the small frame house.  The drive was lined on both sides with mature Live Oak trees.  The large yard between the house and the road was freshly mowed, showing the quality of care the owners gave to their property.

Ahhh, finally lunch time.  We met up at the Purple Heart Memorial Park in Ragley, La.  There wasn't much else to draw our attention in Ragley, but the park was nice and well kept.  It had a small stocked fishing lake and a playground for children, but no tables where I could stretch out, as I am want to do.  This picture shows Diane is using a park bench to make some sandwiches for lunch.

We met up again at Reeves, La where we found a small park where I could stretch out for a few minutes.  By this time, the afternoon temperatures had reached about 75 degrees.  I was glad that I had warm weather gear to wear.  I didn't stretch out long, just enough to give my body a short break (and eat some trail mix - that Diane had prepared).











Route from Bon Wier, Texas to Kinder, Louisiana (Day One)

We took US 190 East from Bon Wier, Texas to Merryville, Louisiana; then followed LA 110 East to the intersection with US 171.  LA 110 was a two-lane country road with no shoulder, but it had almost no traffic.  We then followed US 171 to Ragley, Louisiana where we had lunch at the Purple Heart Memorial Park.  We then picked up US 190 East, again, through the small town of Reeves, where we met up for a few minutes; then on to Kinder, La where we stopped for the night.

Takeaways: 

Although the bike I was riding isn't ergonomically suited to hills, the rolling hills that I encountered during this phase of my ride didn't present any real physical challenge.  However, they occurred often enough to make it difficult for me to establish or maintain a good riding "rhythm."  Small interruptions in our lives, while not in and of themselves a serious challenge, can derail us from other productive patterns in our daily routines such as daily prayer or scripture study.  As soon as the interruption (or hill) is gone, we need to reestablish, as quickly as possible, the productive patterns that bring an atmosphere of peace and joy to our lives.

The long stretches of riding in a tunnel (not being able to see the horizon) made the time seem much longer than it really was.  Even though I kept my focus on the far distant objective (Florida), I found myself trying to find purpose and meaning in the present.  Knowing that each rotation of the peddle brought me closure to my ultimate objective by itself wasn't enough to carry me through, I needed to be sustained along the way.  To some extent this was achieved by meeting up with Diane more often than we had originally planned.  Life, too, is like that, we need to find joy in the journey.  Knowing that we are progressing step by step toward our ultimate goal of Eternal Life, in and of itself isn't enough.  We can find immediate joy, joy in the present, as we acknowledge the strengths and contributions of others and by acknowledging the blessings we receive from a loving Father in Heaven.  All around us are evidences of His love for us, if we will but look and accept.

The well-kept pastures and farm lands were a welcome sight.  They seemed to be an oasis in the midst of a tangle of brush, and trees, and undergrowth.  I not only enjoyed the view, but paid mental tribute to both the caretakers and the Creator of All Things.  Our own lives, ladened with hard work and achievement rightly bring personal credit, but should also serve to bring glory to God on High.  Self-reliance or personal achievement must not be limited to the things we or others see, but must also include our own spiritual and emotional well being.  The environment that we have stewardship for says a lot about how well we are doing in those other aspects of our personal development.

Like my ride, the life each of us is given is not a single push to the finish line, but a long ordeal that requires and/or allows for adjustments, rededication, and even short rests along the way.  We must not become so intent on the finish line that we find ourselves running faster than we are able.  The journey is as much the objective as the finish line.  Enjoy it!.

Birthday Ride (Walk) - 2018

Birthday Ride Walk - 2018 

I was unable to do my annual Birthday "Ride" this year because I was still recovering from Prostate Surgery.  However, my Urologist told me that I could walk as much as I would like.  So, I set out on a Birthday Walk. 

I started early in the morning, before the sun was up, with the intent of walking the entire length and breadth of the Trinity River Trail in Fort Worth, Texas. 

As the sun began to rise, I could see the outline of Fort Worth downtown, in the far distance. 

Most of the trail followed the banks of the Trinity River. 

While the large majority of the trail is urban, there are several secluded pockets of beautiful nature trails that belie the city around them. 

I'm always good for a short nap.  Ten minutes is all I ever need.  Then I'm up, ready, and anxious to go again. 

No story would be complete without showing off some the the Texas wildflowers.  Here is a single specimen of a Winecup. 

Late in the afternoon, and the water of the West Fork of the Trinity River produces an almost perfect mirror image of the North Main Street bridge. 

Evening is descending.  As I look back on where I've been, I can see the same outline of downtown Fort Worth, only this time the sun is setting behind the city, casting the city and everything with it in silhouette. 

I conclude my birthday walk long after dark (9:48 pm), having achieved my goal of 1,000 steps for every year of my age.  

Birthday Ride - 2017

Birthday Ride - 2017

It has become somewhat of a tradition for me to take a picture of my bike computer when I reach my goal of one mile for each year of age.  So here we go ...








My "ride" this year took advantage of most, if not all of the local paths and trails in Lewisville, and the surrounding towns of Highland Village, Flower Mound, and Double Oak.

Both of these images are taken of Timber Creek in Flower Mound, Texas.  It flows year around, but following a "Texas downpour" it can become a raging river. 

This is a image of a secluded bike path that was still covered with sand and debris following the recent Spring rains. 

It is always so peaceful to be deep in these thick wooded areas, even though we aren't far from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Alway a treat and a real favorite in the early Spring are the Texas Blue Bonnets!  

Here, from a patch in Highland Village, they are accented with Daisies, Indian Paintbrush, and Pinkladies.  

Although I was never far from home for my entire ride this year, it was just a rewarding as ever.