Update 13 - 12/26/00
Welcome to some kind folks we recently met in Louisiana, and some patient folks that gave us their cards at "El Tour de Tucson" and we just realized were not on our list. We have copies of all our posts since we left home on September 10th, if anyone would like a "back issue."
We are "Down in Louisiana" heading for New Orleans where we will spend the New Year's weekend.
Leaving Lockhart, Texas we saw our first oil wells on the way to Bastrop, where there is a truly magnificent State Park. When many of us think of great places to camp, we probably don't think of Texas. However, we have found many excellent State Parks on our route, especially in the Hill Country of central Texas.
We rode through Bastrop and Buescher State Parks on a winding forest road. The road climbed and dove over very steep but thankfully, short hills through a beautiful forest of oak and pine trees. This was one of the most scenic places we have ridden recently, and well worth the effort.
In La Grange we stayed at the Red Oak Motel, where we signed the cyclists book. There were riders from all over the world in the book and we felt honored to be in such good company. The next morning we rode toward Navasota, stopping at the historic site, "Washington on the Brazos," where early Texans established Texas as a sovereign nation before joining the Union a few years later.
East of Navasota the land got much flatter as we descended into the "Big Thicket," a region of extremely dense undergrowth under towering pine trees. This is logging country and we saw many log trucks. The drivers were polite to us, leaving plenty of room as they passed, some waving and tooting their horns. With the flatter terrane, we thought riding would be easier, but of course that would not happen, as the winds, recognizing we weren't sweating enough shifted to the front wheel and have stayed there ever since.
We rode through another beautiful area, Sam Houston National Forest on our way to Sillsbee, where we finally took a day off to rest and catch up on "chores." Leaving Sislbee, a miracle occurred. We FINALLY got out of Texas and entered Louisiana.
We have given up on pronouncing the names of towns and "parishes" (that's county for y'all northers). We quickly entered the land of bayous, swamps and big cypress trees covered with moss. There is a lot of wildlife here, including many birds. This is a favorite wintering ground for migrating birds, and bird watching is very popular this time of year.
We spent a night at Sam Houston Jones State Park, near Lake Charles. Even in winter drab, we were awed by the beauty of the wetland. There was a lot of wildlife and of course park squirrels, who begged for handouts like puppy dogs. While at the park we chatted with Mike and Irene, who live nearby and were taking photos of birds. A little later in the afternoon they showed up at our campsite with firewood, fruit, eggnog and tasty home made pecan pie and chocolate. It was a very unexpected and greatly appreciated kindness.
For those watching the weather, you will notice that for the next couple of days, we will get to "experience" heavy rains along with the nearly constant headwind. Well, you know what they say -- if it was easy, everyone would be doing this!
Eating too much good food in Cajun Land,
George and Sharon Miner
Vancouver Bicycle Club, Vancouver, Washington
2000 da Vinci Global Venture towing Bob Trailer
Free as the Wind - Our one year self-supported tandem tour of the USA, Mexico and Canada
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