A few photos from my visit to this exceptional park in Arkansas. In the Bible Mount Nebo is the place where Moses died. Perhaps the name for this park is derived from the similarities in mountains. These photos were taken along the rim trail. To learn more about this park visit here https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/mount-nebo-state-park
2,753 feet above the Petit Jean River Valley lies Mount Magazine. It is full of fantastic views, activities, wildlife, and excellent accommodations. For more information visit here https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/mount-magazine-state-park
A while back I researched this area, and I wanted to travel there a few years back, but it was heavily flooded. This year there was no flood and I was looking for an escape free of people and full of fresh air. Beavers Bend State Park answered the call perfectly. It is like a one stop shop for adventure with horseback riding, zip lines, a train, kayaking, hiking, paddle boats, a marina with house boat rental, trout fishing, a lodge, cabins, wood and American Indian art by Choctaw Indians, and wildlife and nature. A few of my photos and a link to their page https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/422
I traveled to Caddo Lake to check this beautiful place off my bucket list. Being the only natural lake in Texas, it lives up to everything I have ever read about it, from the history, to the mysterious sightings of Bigfoot, to people just being people. I finally saw a Pileated Woodpecker! This park is definitely a place where you can get lost in the beauty and the overall vibe, which is detached from WiFi, electronics, and the craziness of urban life. Here are a few photos from my trip. Rich McFarlane, my tour guide, from Caddo Lake Bayou Tours was exceptional. I highly recommend his tour https://www.caddolakebayoutours.com/
Life calls for us to detach sometimes and enjoy serenity, peace, and the sounds of nature. I do it often and have found many places that harbor much beauty. Recently, I loaded up for a trip into the Trinity River Wildlife Refuge. There are many birds, mammals, amphibians, gators, snakes, turtles, fish, etc. The quiet forest in the refuge gives way to a musical symphony of sounds uncommon in the urban jungle. A beautiful chorus of song and dance from the whimsical creatures all around. Here are a few photos I shot while exploring. Enjoy!
Rip Van Winkle is a story written by Washington Irving in 1819, about a farmer who falls asleep in the Catskill Mountains of New York for 20 years, and he misses the whole American Revolution. Rip Van Winkle was played by actor Joseph Jefferson, over 4,500 hundred times, all over the world on stage. He purchased Orange Island, La in 1870 to make a hunting lodge, and to have a winter retreat. Eventually the Island was named Jefferson Island. It now has a rookery and the former home and gardens of Joseph Jefferson for tour. I enjoyed my visit tremendously! The Live Oaks and Spanish moss are worth the trip. It is beautiful! Here are a few photos from my visit including RIP’s rookery. For more information visit https://www.ripvanwinklegardens.com/
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park in St. Martinville, Louisiana is buried deep in the Atchafalaya basin. This is the place and home area to many of the swamp people you see on the T.V. show series Swamp People. It is a mystical area where wildlife abounds. As one local Cajun stated, “One doesn’t need a grocery store in these areas. We’ll survive. We have nutria, alligator, turtle, frogs, snakes, deer, hog, possum, coon (short for raccoon), honey, crawfish….and he went on. We have sugar cane, we have rice, we have all we need.” I believe this to, because the closet civilization is close to 25 miles away. Out here the night is so dark you cannot see your hands in front of you. You here sounds and movement but you cannot see. It creates much curiosity, but most of all the relaxation away from the big city is incredible. Here are a few photos from my trip. Two are outside of the park, but in the area. For more information visit https://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks/parks/lake-fausse-pointe-state-park/index
Here are some random photos from my recent road trip through Louisiana. Years ago, I flew to many places, but soon learned I missed much by being stuck in a plane. Planes are necessary for certain things, but again, for me, nothing beats traveling by auto to see things I might not see otherwise. I also get a better feel for the culture and the people in the communities I visit. As you can see from the art a giant Crawfish, giant bass in Toledo Bend country, a homemade John-Deere Ice Cream machine, historical sites, beautiful Redbud trees, Pecan orchards, wide-open roads, and food you will find no place else, Louisiana is as unique as it is wonderful.
This quote by Anthony Bourdain from Parts Unknown, Season 11, Episode 7, sums up my experience, “One of the more awesome locations I’ve ever found,” Bourdain said about the grocery store. “The kind of breakfast spot I just love deeply.” For myself, I ate lunch there. I knew when I saw the Cajun pepper shaker filled with Cayenne Pepper, I was at the REAL DEAL. I could eat at Suire’s anytime, or day of the week. I had some of the best Turtle Sauce Piquant I have ever tasted in Cajun Country. I just loved how they separated my catfish, bread, and Chocolate cake with a piece of foil in my lunch box, so it would not blend with my Turtle Sauce Piquant and potato salad. You may say that is basic, but a lot of folks have no common sense, and they would mix it in many places. The owners are sister’s Joan Suire and Lisa Frederick. Two of the nicest ladies I have met. We shared conversation about Louisiana and how the long standing restaurant came into their hands. Joan told me, “I flunked out of college at 19, and my parents bought this restaurant for me, and I have been here ever since. I don’t know how to cook, but I can run a store.” Joan and her sister Lisa work together as a team to create a great Cajun atmosphere and delicious, authentic, Cajun food. Before I left, I loaded up some sweet goodies. My Blackberry Tart was exceptional in every way. I cannot wait for my next trip to Suire’s Grocery and Restaurant in Kaplan, La. Joan’s mother told her, “There will be one day when people will be just looking for us.” I was one. And that slogan,”If you want country cooking, come to the country!” So true! Thank you ladies! I’ll see you again.
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My recent trip to the Cane River Historic Site was a great experience. I was able to learn many things. One of most amazing for me was the insulation methods using Bousillage. This is horse hair, Spanish Moss, and Clay mixed together to insulate and build homes. I learned that pigeons(squab) were raised for food, and if you had pigeons to eat you were wealthy. How about that? Amazing stuff! The plantation has the owners home, young family members home, overseers home, slave cabins, the store, pigeoneers house, corn crib, fattening pins, wash house, carriage house, the cook’s cabin, and well it is very complete piece of living history. I learned that some slaves enjoyed their owners and became sharecroppers after slaves were freed, while others had horrible masters. I learned that African-Americans also had plantations and even owned their own slaves. Did you know slaves were sold on the open market in Africa by fellow Africans to willing buyers? A few things I was never taught in history class. It seems I was always taught “THE ROOTS” version of history, but I don’t blame my teachers. They could only teach what they were taught, and maybe only teach what they were told to teach, but I am glad I can learn on my own. Here are a few photos from my recent trip. I hope you visit this piece of history. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/crha/index.htm
