Texas to Georgia

 

Welcome to Lousiana & Crawfish

A rainy, wet, spring break with hiking trails closed...Stephen F. Austin SP sent us packing.  We made it via I-10 thru Houston's mid morning traffic with a stop halfway the 20 mile Mississippi Delta bridge at a LA Rest Area.  They were building a new Visitor's Center where 18-wheelers and RV's could stay the night or several at the old area.  We chatted with a partially blind attendant who drives a golf cart 2 miles to/from work along the nearby levee.  We decided to press on slowly through Baton Rouge as we were at the beginning of the afternoon rush hour. 

I-12, EXIT 10 near Denham Springs, LA, was our boondock stop at a Pilot Travel Ctr.  After 9 p.m. the noise subsides.

Next door was a Lousiana Bass Pro Shop with world famous Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant where we celebrated my birthday with dinner.  I had Mahi over a bed of wild rice with pineapple and grilled fresh veggies.  J had 1/2 chicken, grilled fresh veggies, and garlic red baked potatoes.  YUM!

I-65, EXIT 93 led us through Andalusia, AL, to the Conecuh National Forest and Open Pond campground with site #D-15 on the pond @ $8 per night with water and electric.  Not bad...except there was NO cell or Internet service.  Great long needle pines to gather needles for my basket projects.

Andalusia, located in Covington County is in the heart of southern Alabama 8 miles from the FL border.  Andalusia's story begins on the banks of the Conecuh River at a Trading Post called Montezuma.  Uncertain how Montezuma came about...some say it could have been from the Spanish traders or the Mexicans from the Revolution and Creek War.
Legend has it that Andrew Jackson marched troops through this area notching trees with three notches to mark their return trail.  There is a street here named Three-Notch to commemorate this trail by Jackson.  In 1841 a flood along with mosquito fever caused the settlers to move the village 4 miles up the hill to higher ground and its present location between the Conecuh and Yellow Rivers.  Its name then changed to Andalusia.
The name "Conecuh" is believed to be of Muskogee origin meaning "land of cane."  Appropriate as the 20 mile trail runs through cane brakes in several places. 

Pink Dogwood

The National Forest is made up of hardwood swamps, pitcher plant bogs, pine forests, scrub oak, dogwood, cypress ponds, and beaver dams.  The forest is changing from slash pine to long leaf pines and will soon increase the number of Pilated woodpeckers.

Beaver Hut

Jasmine

The pond here at Open Pond campground is a natural sinkhole lake created by erosion and drainage of water.  Here one can use electric motors only and fish from the bank or pier with proper license.  A white Egret and Blue Heron fish daily.

The Ides of March brought in stormy weather with Sunday a wash out dropping over 2 inches of rain in about 30 minutes.  Thunder and lightning knocked off our electric; but our surge protector reset itself in 3 minutes restoring our electricity without any damage.  Keeps our electronics safe.  Hockey was our weekend joy.

March 18th...45 degrees...sun trying to peek thru clouds...everything wet from the midnight heavy shower.  We pulled out at 9 a.m. for new adventure.  Hwy 55 to I-65 to I-85, across the AL line  to I-85, EXIT 2 in GA to our new campsite #30 at R. Shaefer Heard CCC campground on West Point Lake near LaGrange, GA.  Nice campsite within a rocks toss to the water.  We were greeted by a Blue Heron fishing in the water's edge. 

YEAH!  We have cell and Internet service.  Nice HOT (and I mean HOT) showers.  Laundry is $1.50 each.  Our town ride took us through this beautiful college town to Public's where we picked up a few things before retreating to our home away from home to end this travel day.  Tomorrow will be another day for adventure.

Take care until next time when we see you by the campfire.