Where Did My Summer Go?

Kayaks on Bayou Teche (Arnaudville, LA)

With less than a week before I return to work for the 2019-20 school year, I looked at this blog and realized that I haven't posted a single thing all summer. My last post was the Kelley brothers D-Day post and technically, that was a re-post.  It is telling that the post before that one was from April and was about the restored cottages in Arnaudville, La., because that's pretty much where I've been most of the summer, either physically or in spirit.

As soon as school was out, we went to Arnaudville and stayed three nights; it was heaven. As I wrote in April, the cottages are lovingly restored and are the perfect getaway, at least for me. Arnaudville is in quick driving distance to Breaux Bridge (about 10 miles), to Lafayette, to any number of other places. New Iberia is less than an hour away. St. Martinville closer than that. Henderson Lake -- about 20 minutes or so. 

We've met some cool people in south Louisiana and made some good friends. I see a retirement destination in my future.

We came back from Arnaudville at the end of May and then spent ten days in Iowa, visiting Steve's family, then to Frisco, TX to visit my daughter and her family, then home for a couple of weeks and then back to Arnaudville for three days. And that was pretty much my summer!

On top of all that, I've had five days of teacher in-service work spread throughout that and I spent a couple of days at school getting my room spruced up for the new year.  My personal computer died and I had to get a new one -- always sort of traumatic for me.  And I've literally spent a lot of time watching my grass grow: we had a fungus attack our St. Augustine and had to treat that twice.  All those plans I had to clean out closets and downsize the clutter in my life never materialized.

The summer has blown by. 

Meanwhile, I've been working on a second book project; that's primarily in the research stages right now. The actual writing isn't happening yet, but I'm excited about it.

With all that happening, I haven't had much time to keep up with my blog, but I know it's here, and you know it's here, and I will get back into a routine before long.

I've had some thoughts and rants run through my head, and thought about posting them, but I'm trying to stay in a more positive place these days and decided I should probably keep my mouth shut on those.  Biding my time.

I'm still here, SIGIS is still here, and we'll get this thing rolling again before too long. Thanks for still being here! 

Bring Back the Sun

I dislike time changes.

It is, right now, 4:58 p.m., but really it's 5:58 p.m.  It is already dusk outside and the cars driving past my window have their headlights on.

When I go to work at 6:40 (7:40?) in the morning, it will be a little brighter than it was last week, but really, I don't mind driving to work in the dark.  That's a small trade for having a little daylight at the end of the day, after work. 

It turns out that we have an entomologist from New Zealand to blame for daylight saving time; he wanted more daylight hours to go bug hunting.  The Germans adopted the practice during WWI, followed by England, and then the United States in 1918 in an attempt to have more daylight working hours.

Maybe it's just winter and shorter days in general that I dislike.  I need sunshine and light.

I find all this darkness depressing. 

Yes, Christmas is nice.  All those Hallmark movies, the twinkly lights on the Christmas tree, the endless commercialization and pressure to buy things... But the older I get I find Christmas to be hard, sort of sad, and I get weepy and nostalgic.

And those long, nasty days of January and February!  They go on forever!  At least with March there is a little hope of a warm day.

Honestly I'd rather have the warm, balmy, long sunny days where I can work in the yard, walk the dog, plant flowers, and read books in the shade of my magnolia tree. 

It feels like I'm bracing for winter right now, hunkering down ready to wait out these long months of darkness until the sun shines again.  Steel gray days, wet with sleet and cold wind; bare trees, low clouds...I know it's not really that bad; there are plenty of beautiful, crisp winter days so beautiful that your heart wants to break, but, well, I'm just not that kind of girl.  I like the sun.

And in just the few moments that it has taken me to type this it is now full dark. 

Can't we just spring forward, already?

100 Things to Do this Summer

Summer!

What to do?  Here's my plan:

1. Sit in the swing under the magnolia tree with my morning coffee and listen to the quiet.
2. Turn off all alarm clocks.
3. Attend the Sunflower festival in Gilliam. Note: bring a camera.
4. Memorial Day observance at Northwest Louisiana Veteran's cemetery on May 28 and then at       Greenwood Cemetery on May 30th.
5. Spend the day floating on Cross Lake and the 2018 Floatilla (June 16).
6. Clean out closets.  Mercilessly.
7. Continuous yard work and flower bed maintenance.
8.  Spend an entire day in the hammock with a good book.
9. Walk down to the Round Bar and have a craft beer on the deck.
10. Road trip to New Iberia to see Jefferson Island and eat at Clementine.
11. Go to Lester Farms in Coushatta and stock up on fresh veggies!

12. Sit outside and shell peas.
13. Sit inside and shell peas.
14.  Watch a lot of baseball.
15. Hit the estate sales, garage sales, and thrift shops for used books for my classroom library.
16. Walk down to Querbess Grill for breakfast and stay for lunch.
17. Take the top off the Jeep and drive.  Anywhere.
18. Catch a meteor shower.
19. Road trip to Iowa to see family and America's heartland.
20. Unplug.
21. Start work on new book project.
22. Day trip to Natchitoches to sit by the Cane River.
23. Volunteer at the animal shelter.
24. Visit the Little Free Library on the corner at least once a week.
25. Listen to Dave Matthews Band concerts on Periscope (Summer 2018 Tour).
26. Visit the local craft breweries.
27.  Tour the Spring Street Museum.
28.  See the Art Goes to War exhibit at Norton Art Gallery.
29. Clean out the garage.
30. Make a new Smash Book. (It's like a scrap book but smaller).
31. Sleep past 6:30 a.m.
32. Antique shopping.
33. Experiment with my camera and learn how to use it.
34. Paint the kitchen.
35. Flag Day at the American Legion: June 14
36. Catch up on reading my magazines and journals
37. Spend an afternoon at the Shreveport Water Works Museum.
38. Another trip to New Iberia to visit Vermillion Bay
39. See St. Francisville.
40. See A Raisin in the Sun at Eastbank Theater (May 31)
41.  Red River Balloon Rally: July 13
42. Tour Oakland Cemetery and learn about Shreveport's history.
43. Clean my Jeep, inside and out.
44. Replank the back deck.
45. Visit with neighbors.
46. Make a pitcher of sun tea with fresh mint.
47. Eat a tomato sandwich
48.  Visit the Louisiana State Exhibt Museum and those cool dioramas!

49. Lose ten pounds.
50. Hang out at the Elks swimming pool.
51.  Buy sunscreen.
52. Wear flip flops.
53. Don't put on makeup.
54. Eat street tacos from a food truck.
55. Plant sunflowers.
56. Plant moon flowers.
57. Turn on the sprinkler in the front yard.
58. Watch the cats sleep in the shade under the cars.
59. Sit on the deck in the twilight and listen to the cicadas.
60. Go to a movie - one with recliners.
61. Shop the sales in the scrapbook section at Hobby Lobby.
62. Cross stitch.
63. Hand write letters.
64. Buy some sidewalk chalk and draw fish on the driveway.
65. Try yoga.
66. Listen to podcasts. (S-Town was great!)
67. Annual summer re-reading of To Kill a Mockingbird.
68. Clean out the freezer.  There's some scary stuff in there.
69. Walk to the Cub for Hamburger Wednesday.
70. Sit at a table by the window at LSUS Library and read in the quiet.
71. Walk the LSUS campus and catch Pokemon.
72. Paint the back patio slab and get some new patio furniture.  Maybe a plant.
73. Watch crepe myrtle flowers fall like watermelon colored rain onto the grass.
74. Open the windows during a summer thunderstorm.
75. Eat a banana fudgesicle from the ice cream truck.
76. Strawberry-lemonade Happy Belly's!
77. Take walks around the neighborhood (see No. 49).
78. Keep my blog updated and active.
79. Clean windows, inside and out.
80. Keep sharing my Amazon Classroom Library Wish List.
81. Eat an ice cold watermelon.
82. Drink fewer sodas and more infused water.
84. Bathe the dogs.
85. Repaper my kitchen shelves.
86. Clean out the pantry.
87. Grill outside.
88. Make a scrapbook.
89. Hang twinkly lights on the deck.
90. Light a citronella candle.
91. Burn sparklers on July 4. Put out the flag.
92. Bake a pineapple upside down cake.
93. Drive Route 66 through Oklahoma; stop at every cool spot and take a picture.
94. Watch cows.
95. Read Eudora Welty stories.
96.  Make shrimp salad with fresh Gulf shrimp. Put in a fresh tomato.
97. Walk the dogs.
98. Try a Mint Julep Daiquiri from Tony's.
99. Mop the floors.
100. Take a nap.

The Promise of Summer

The promise of summer is finally coming.

My last week of school is this week: we get out Thursday, and up until yesterday my mind has really not been focused on summer plans.  When you're return date to work is actually the last week of July summer seems somewhat shorter than in the past.  (Don't tell me anything about how teachers have "all summer" off!)

Summer always starts with Memorial Day and Steve and I stay busy with Memorial Day activities for a few days.  Then summer fun really starts with the Cross Lake Floatilla.  We had a ball last summer and are looking forward to it again this year with huge dreams of winning the poker run this year (we were darned close last year!).

This time last year I had a huge bucket list of things to do over the summer -- really heavy things like spending a day in the hammock and getting my dog microchipped.  I spent weeks dreaming up fun summer plans and taking care of things that I just can't seem to get done during the school year.  But this year there has been no bucket list.  Nothing.

Until yesterday.  Yesterday we went to the American Legion for Family Day and as I sat under the towering pines on the hill and looked over the lake it started to hit me.  Summer!  We ate hot dogs and sipped cokes, visited with friends and watched the boats.  The little kids took a ride on the 40 & 8 train and had their faces painted.  When it was over we went inside the Legion to the lounge, had a beverage, and watched the boats on the lake.

I bought my Floatilla t-shirt and that's when it finally hit me -- summer is really coming.  I woke up this morning and the bucket list items started coming.  Besides the fact that I will be spending a lot of time in the Watson Library in Natchitoches this summer, we are planning another Route 66 trip, an Iowa trip, another Rangers game, and a birthday party for the best looking kid in Texas.  I'm going to savor every moment!

There will be hammock days, yard work days, and days floating on a boat doing nothing. There are books to read and household chores to be done.  Landscaping, yard work, closet cleaning.  Scrapbooks and Smash Books to make, steaks to grill, and cold beverages to be enjoyed.  Time with friends and family.  Humid nights on the deck with the twinkly lights in the trees.  Meteor showers.  Top down days and day trips to take; fresh vegetables to be consumed and  good music on outdoor patios.  And without a doubt there will be a few surprises along the way because that's what is so great about summer:  anything can happen!

Let's get this party started!

Take a Trip to the Cross Lake Flotilla 2013

Summer has officially begun and the 22nd annual Cross Lake Flotilla was, by all accounts, a day of good fun, lots of sun, food, and music.

The flotilla is an annual, bacchanalian celebration of summer, boats, the lake, and fun.  Each year there is a pre-party, an after-party, and the flotilla itself is a gathering of boats and other watercraft outside the American Legion Post 14.  There is a boat decorating contest, a poker run, and sometimes there is a decorated hat contest.

The theme this year was Pontoons 'n Paradise.  The theme selected through a Facebook vote.

Threatening weather and overcast skies did little to scare away the boats, barges, jet skis, and land lubbers who all converged on Cross Lake yesterday.  The clouds gave way to sun around noon and the rain held off until about 8:30 p.m. which was long enough for hundreds of people to come out to the lake.

Steve and I were invited to ride on our friend Jerry's boat.  There were six of us on board and as we were pulling away from the pier, the Back When Band was getting the music cranked up, the food vendors were ready to sell boiled crawfish, meat pies, hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and sausage on a stick.

The first item of business was the poker run.  We decided we'd all pool together and if anyone in the boat won, we'd split it up.  So we got out the map of locations, plotted our strategy, and we were off.

On the way to our first stop, Jerry took us on a "tunnel drive" under the bridge:

Jerry let Donna navigate us to our first stop which was, of course, at the far end of the lake:

There were seven locations on the lake from which we had to gather our cards.  The participating docks were also in competition for the best decoration.  Since the poker run couldn't officially start until 1:00, we had time for sandwiches before our first card:

Then it was time to line up, drive by, and get our first card:

The wind was really kicking up all day yesterday with the advancing weather front which made it tricky to sit, hover, and navigate into some of the docks.

We liked this stop because the mannequins were cute and they had a great dog giving them a hand with the cards!

Second stop:

And third:

Stop Four:

Everyone was really friendly and having a great time.  Some of the stops offered leis, some jello shots, and at another you could buy margaritas for $1.00.

But who needed margaritas when we had wine!

Actually, strawberry Abita was my beverage of choice yesterday; unfortunately the bottles were the "pry off" caps and guess who failed to bring an opener?  That meant that Steve spent part of his day whacking the tops off my beer on the rails of the boat and bruising his hand all to heck in the process.  Now that's love!

Next card stop:

At this one, they were giving away toothbrushes!

And finally, our final stop:

This was the margarita stop and was located at The Cove, a popular lakeside bar.  They also hosted an after-party.

To get there by boat you have to be very careful as the water is only about a foot deep there in some spots.  It's very shallow there.

But, we made it and were off to turn in our hands!  And no, we didn't win.  They opened the envelopes, and it was King, King, King...(dramatic pause), six, ten, two.  Bust.  We lost to a full house.  Dammit.

Then it was time to just drift among the throng at people watch.

This boat/derrick was giving away free hot dogs:

There was a sailboat:

Swimmers:

and dogs:

Jerry hollered out to this guy:  "Hey, he'd make a good gumbo!"  He was kidding.  I think.

Lots and lots of boats - most were anchored and tethered up next to each other.  That's the American Legion waaayyy in the background.

This guy was a pretty good ways from the nearest boat and paddling as hard as he could to get back to his party.  We asked if he needed any help; he had one of those free hot dogs but said he could use a beer:

...so we tossed him a beer (NOT with a pry-off cap!)

We found our friends and tried to pull up alongside and tie up with them but it was just too windy.  After several attempts we decided it wasn't worth tearing up anybody's boat so we gave up.

I liked looking at all the boats:

Another dog!

By this time it was getting late in the day, about 4:30 or so, and with the front moving in, we didn't want to stay out too longer.  With that many people on the lake, and not a whole lot of launch places, the lines to get off the lake can back up quickly.

We did decide to ride over to Bird Island since I'd never seen it.  "This is a real National Geographic moment," Jerry said as we approached.  So we all got out cameras.

Bird Island is a small island surrounded by cypress and other trees.  You can hear the birds cawing and calling as you approach and it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

Hundred of egrets on the nest and in the trees:

All the way around the island, egrets:

and ducks:

It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen...

I was wishing I'd taken the Canon Rebel out there so I could zoom in on the birds, but I didn't want to drop it in the lake, so it was the old Easy Share that took all these.

The clouds were starting to build in the north so we decided it was time to head in.  I got a few more boat shots as we approached the American Legion pier:

People watching:

This guy had it made:

More boats:

Obviously, not many folks were worried about the weather just yet:

The band was still blasting music across the water and the revelry was in high gear:

But all good things must end, so we jumped off onto the pier and Jerry headed off to the launch to get the boat out of the water before the crowds.

It was close to 6:00 by this time and the Backbeat Boogie Band was gearing up in the Lounge for the after-party at the Legion.

We stayed for about an hour, but we'd had enough sun and fun for one day and headed home.

I had a whale of a good time - I can't remember when I had so much fun!  And I learned two important lessons:  buy twist off caps for your beer (or take an opener) and I learned that simply buying sunscreen and leaving it in your boat-bag all day doesn't do much to prevent sunburn.  It helps ever so much if you actually put it on!

Here's our ride under the bridge from earlier in the day:



And here is a found video of Bird Island:


Find more videos like this on The Ark

Last year's flotilla post is here.

The official Facebook page (with more photos) is here.

The Shreveport Times gallery of photos is here.

The SIGIS Take a Trip Series:

Take a Spontaneous Mother's Day Trip to Jefferson, Texas

Take a Trip Along East Texas Back Roads

Take a Trip to the "Going Green on the Red River" Festival

Take a Springtime Drive Down the Cane River Heritage Trail

Take a Spring Break Trip to Arcadia Louisiana

Take a Trip to the 2012 Natchitoches Christmas Festival
Take a Trip to the 2012 Grand Cane Pioneer Day and Christmas Parade

Take a Trip to the 2012 Highland Jazz and Blues Festival

Take a Trip to the 2012 Vets for Vets Event

Take a Trip to the Norton Art Gallery and the Photographs of the Vietnam War Exhibit

Take a Trip to Octoberfest 2012 at Barksdale Air Force Base

Take a Picnic Trip to the Lock and Dam and a Detour to Lake Bistineau

Take a Dinner Ride Through East Texas

Take a Trip to an End of Summer Party and Listen to Soulfish Blues Band

Take a Summer Trip to Jefferson, Texas and Meet New Friends

Take a Trip to Dallas, Texas and The West End

Take a Stocking the Freezer Trip to Ed Lester Farms and Find a Cool Truck!

Take a Trip to Coushatta Down Louisiana Backroads

Take a Trip to the 2012 Cross Lake Floatilla

Take a Sunday Drive in North Caddo Parish

Take a Trip to Minden's First Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival

Take a Trip to the 2012 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at BAFB
Take a Springtime Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden, LA
Take a Trip to Logansport, Louisiana
Take a Trip to the Lock and Dam on Red River
Take a Trip to the 2012 Barkus and Meoux Parade
Take a Christmas Shopping Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden
Take a Trip to the Fourth Annual Barksdale AFB Oktoberfest 
Take a Trip to Grand Cane's Fifth Annual Pioneer Trade Day
Take a Trip to the 2011 Highland Jazz & Blues Festival
Take an Autumn Trip to Jefferson, Texas
Take a Fall Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base
Take a Summertime Trip to Grand Cane
Take a Trip to Desoto Parish
Take a Summer Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Melrose Plantation 
Take a Trip to Ed Lester Farms and a Random Antique Stop
Take a Trip to the Norton Art Gallery and the Masters of Cuban Art Exhibit
Take a Trip to Natchitoches to See the Christmas Lights
Take a Trip to the Third Annual BAFB Oktoberfest 
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Oakland Plantation
Take a Trip to Jefferson, Texas
Oktoberfest at BAFB

"Flotilla" or "Floatilla", Either Way, It Needs to Be on Your Calendar

Pull out your calendar and add these events to your list of things to do this weekend, if you're in the local area, that is.

Tonight, May 31, the American Legion Post 14 is hosting their pre-Flotilla Party, open to everyone, at the post located on Lakeshore Drive on Cross Lake.  You do not have to have a boat, or be on a boat, to have fun at the Flotilla.  There is plenty to do on land, based at the Legion, as well.

On a side note, I admit, the linguist in me has some trouble with this flotilla/floatilla thing.  Technically, I believe the spelling is "flotilla" but the event is billed, and has always been billed, as the "floatilla."  I'm sure there's a back story there but I don't know what it is.

However you spell it, tonight, there will be a catfish dinner ($10) and registration for tomorrow's Poker Run will be open ($20).  You can get your 2013 Flotilla t-shirts on sale as well.  

It gets even better:  The Soulfish Blues Band will be playing in the lounge until 10:30 or 11!  If you haven't seen this band yet, you're in for a treat.  Fabulous!

The 2013 Flotilla is tomorrow, Saturday, with opening ceremonies and placing of the flags on the pier at noon by veterans and the Boy Scouts.  The Poker Run is from 1:00 to 3:00; the decorated boat parade is at 4.  The Back When Band will play live in the parking lot at the Legion from 2-4 with sound by Paxton Sound.  There will be plenty of food vendors at the Legion and the bar will be open, of course.  The after-party will continue at 6 in the American Legion Lounge on Saturday with the Backbeat Boogie Band.

Last year's boat parade was a display of great creativity and whimsy!

The Facebook page for the event is here.  Here is the official event poster.

Don't miss it, and don't let the threat of rain scare you away!  That'll just keep you cooled off if the sun gets too hot!

Take a Trip to an End of Summer Party and Listen to the Soulfish Blues Band

One of my standard rules of thumb is to take my camera with me wherever I go because, well, you just never know when you'll wish you had it.

What was I thinking yesterday when I left it at home?  After all, it was just a little top-down in the Jeep drive along Cross Lake, a spontaneous stop for lunch, and a birthday party at The Cove on Cross Lake.  Why would I need a camera?  My cell phone has, of course, a wonderful camera but the sound quality for video on it isn't so great which is what I really missed.

Who knew I would become an instant fan of the music of the Soulfish Blues Band?

Never leave home without the camera.  Ever.

Anyway, yesterday was our first real day of fall temperatures so we pulled the top down on the Jeep and decided to take a drive around Cross Lake before this birthday party we'd been invited to at The Cove.

Cross Lake is really pretty and we've been out there quite a bit since joining the American Legion in May.  I've posted some nice shots taken from the Legion.  I like this one:

Cell phone picture.  It's ok.

Yesterday we just drove to see where the road would take us and we ended up in Longwood.  We were both ready for a Coke so we stopped at the Longwood General Store and Truck Stop.  And casino. 

Cute, isn't it!

There's a big ol' front porch where you can sit and watch the cars go by:

We didn't realize it was also a restaurant when we stopped, but sure enough, there's the sign:  "World Famous Steaks."

It's the kind of place where you sit next to the 409 and the Brillo Pads while you eat your "World Famous Steak":

There's a counter with hot plate lunches:

I opted for a fish sandwich which was really good.

Steve had a bacon cheeseburger.

After our spontaneous lunch we headed to The Cove.  The Cove is one of those neighborhood clubs that has been there forever.  It's right on the lake and sits on a beautiful piece of property.  You can get there via car or boat.

We had been invited to the birthday party of a friend of ours from the Legion and things were in full swing when we arrived.  Most folks were inside watching The Saints on TV but the weather was so nice, we sat outside amidst the smoke from the two grills.  They were busy grilling chicken, pork chops, sausage and burgers.

After the game, the Soulfish Blues Band set up on the patio outside and played until after dark.

I'd heard of Soulfish before and I think I may have heard them at last year's Highland Jazz and Blues festival.  Actually, I think I was at the other end of the park listening to someone else when Soulfish played the Highland because I'm certain I would have remembered them.

When Julia Dunning started singing yesterday I was amazed.  Just amazed.  This girl can belt out covers of Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Adele...you name it, she's got it.  I don't even like Janis Joplin but I liked it when Julia sang it.  She's got the kind of voice that gives you chill bumps when she hits those certain notes and she belts 'em out strong and loud.  Go here and listen to the "Rollin' in the Deep" cover; if you don't get chill bumps at 1:03, check your pulse.  And if you can stand one more cover of "Unchain My Heart," listen to that one, too.  Her voice is especially suited for that one.

I'm not sure how old Julia Dunning is, but she sings with the confidence and poise of an experienced torch singer.  The Soulfish website tells me that Julia Perrodin Dunning has been singing since she was two years old.  All I can tell you for sure is that she mesmerized me with her vocals and on-stage charisma; one thing that I really thought was cool is that she made it a point to walk around between sets and speak to folks.  She came over to our table and thanked us for coming and visited for a few minutes. 

This is where I wished for my video camera.  All the video I shot on my phone just didn't capture the sound very well.  I'm going to post this one I shot of "Sixteen Tons" but it still isn't as good as they actually were:



Julia has some serious musicians behind her:  Gary Huntsman on lead guitar does masterful work and Bill Allen on bass is excellent.  Both of them have strong resumes and are a perfect fit with this band.  On drums is "the pride of Zwolle," Bruce Procell.  He was glad to come out and talk to the crowd too, between sets.

The band's website is here.  Facebook is here.  They'll be playing Texas this weekend:  Friday night in Kilgore and Saturday in Marshall.  We will catch up with them next on 9/28 again at The Cove.  They have a busy schedule and you won't have trouble finding them.  It's well worth your effort.

We finally left The Cove after the last song and headed for home.  We hadn't intended on staying that long but just couldn't make ourselves leave until the music was done.  The cool, crisp air felt wonderful on the way home with the top down and we hated to park the car and head in, but work today beckoned.

End of Summer, indeed.

The SIGIS Take a Trip Series:

Take a Summer Trip to Jefferson, Texas and Meet New Friends

Take a Trip to Dallas, Texas and The West End

Take a Stocking the Freezer Trip to Ed Lester Farms and Find a Cool Truck!

Take a Trip to Coushatta Down Louisiana Backroads

Take a Sunday Drive in North Caddo Parish

Take a Trip to Minden's First Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival

Take a Trip to the 2012 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at BAFB
Take a Springtime Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden, LA
Take a Trip to Logansport, Louisiana
Take a Trip to the Lock and Dam on Red River
Take a Trip to the 2012 Barkus and Meoux Parade
Take a Christmas Shopping Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden
Take a Trip to Grand Cane's Fifth Annual Pioneer Trade Day
Take a Trip to the 2011 Highland Jazz & Blues Festival
Take an Autumn Trip to Jefferson, Texas
Take a Fall Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base
Take a Summertime Trip to Grand Cane
Take a Trip to Desoto Parish
Take a Summer Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Melrose Plantation 
Take a Trip to Ed Lester Farms and a Random Antique Stop
Take a Trip to the Norton Art Gallery and the Masters of Cuban Art Exhibit
Take a Trip to Natchitoches to See the Christmas Lights
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Oakland Plantation
Take a Trip to Jefferson, Texas