Sunday, June 1, 2014

Take a Trip to the 2014 Cross Lake Floatilla: Loving the Lake Life

Despite the threat of rain and some occasional ominous clouds, the 2014 Cross Lake Floatilla was spectacular yesterday.  This was the twenty-third year for the event on Cross Lake which is basically a huge party on land and water and is also a major fund raiser for the American Legion.  The weather all week has been just a soggy mess; it had rained just about every day this week and there was a 50% chance of rain predicted for yesterday.  We were undeterred.  Unless it was truly storming with thunder and lightening we were going to be there.  I nervously checked the weather app on my phone almost hourly for days leading up to the event.

The fun began on Friday night with a pre-party at the Legion.  We went and ate fried catfish, bought t-shirts, and registered for the poker run.  A.J. and the Two Tone Blues Band was playing in the legion lounge and we sat out on the patio, visited with friends, and enjoyed the evening.  And checked the weather app some more.

Steve and I don't have a boat but we have a good friend with a boat who has been kind enough to take us out the past couple of years.  We arrived early at the Legion boat launch Saturday and the plan was to get the boat in the water before it got crowded and then go eat breakfast. This was a good plan: we didn't have to wait in line to launch the boat and we had that baby in the water and tied up at the end of the pier in no time.

We opted out of going off-site to eat breakfast once we discovered the breakfast burritos.  (You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.)


We bought five of them and some Bloody Marys and went back to the boat to enjoy our breakfast.



We were perfectly positioned for the opening ceremonies and the presentation of flags by the Boy Scouts.  They did a fine job.


One by one they all marched out and placed their flag and after the national anthem played it was time to party.


We were still missing three members of our crew so we just stayed tied up to the dock for a while.  Had a couple more Bloody Marys. People watched.

"Margaritaville" was blasting from the PA system when we spied our friend Sue dancing on the shore.



Before long we were all assembled and on the boat, had fresh Bloody Marys...



...and it was time for the poker run!



If you're not familiar with the poker run, basically what you do is visit seven designated docks across the lake in two hours.  At each dock you get a sealed colored envelope with a card inside.  They initial your little piece of paper, and you dash off to the next dock.  At the end you'll have seven different colored envelopes which is your "hand."  You return to the Legion, turn in your cards, and they'll open your envelopes and see how your hand turns out.

There is also a dock decorating contest so the poker run participants vote on the best dock at the end.

This was our first stop.



If it looks familiar, it was also the first stop last year.  They had an adorable dog helping with the cards...


...and then we were off to stop number two.  Along the way we at chicken salad sandwiches stuffed in pita pockets and finished off our Bloody Marys.

The lake is beautiful and I loved the lily pads near the shore at some of the docks but they do make a mess if it all gets tangled in your motor.



I didn't get a picture of stop number two; that was about the time our poker slips blew into the water and we had to hook them out.  Bummer.  I learned to keep them in the plastic baggies after that.

This might have been stop two or three - I can't remember.  Anyway, they had a band, which was pretty cool.



At this stop they had jello shots!  They're in that blue ice chest and he's about to bring us a few...


And leaving the jello shot dock for the next one, off we go across the lake.


Look at that gorgeous blue sky...how could anyone stay home on a day like that!?  Attendance seemed to be down this year and I think people were afraid of the weather.  As we were going through the poker run I noticed that there was not the usual backup of boats waiting to get cards.  We passed through each dock without a wait.


This wasn't one of the stops, but they were having a great time!


This was stop number six.


We got tangled up in their balloons...


...and so the balloons came with us.


I could totally live on this houseboat.


Approaching our second to last stop...


...where they have margaritas for $1.00.


And sausage on a stick for $1.00.  We loaded up on both, got our card, and pulled off.


Steve is loving the lake life.


We hit our last stop and then made our way back to the Legion to turn in our cards.  It took us about an hour and a half, maybe, to complete the poker run.  We had plenty of time.  We bagged all our envelopes and the signed tickets and got them ready to turn in.  We just pooled our four tickets and if any one of the four won, we would split the pot.  Better odds!

The party was in full gear on the shore as we made our approach, and the boats were getting into position for the decorated boat contest.



Here's Bonny, the master mixer of Bloody Marys.


Cathy Cascio is checking poker hands.


Dan is keeping a close eye on the poker board.


And in the end we came in second place!

I think we had three of a kind.  I'm not sure.  Anyway, time to get back out for the boat parade.  I ran up to the balcony to get a shot of the boats - not too many this year.


The Backbeat Boogie Band was still playing...


... and Sue was still dancing, so all is well!


Elvis led the boat parade:


The Gilligan's Island boat was pretty awesome.


Gilligan and Ginger:


The Redneck Yacht Club:


They were having a good time!


This boat was awesome:


They were blowing bubbles!


I loved the pirate boat:


I think it's the one that won.  The bubble boat came in second place.


Pirates!


Time for more Bloody Marys and to go float for a while.


Despite the rather low numbers compared to last year, it seemed like everyone was having a safe, fun afternoon.  And let it be noted that not a drop of rain fell on us all day.


The clouds came and went but mostly kept it from getting too hot.

A hug for the soldiers:


The obligatory floatilla dog shot:


And another:


And Sue is still dancing!


We scooped her up and put her in the boat for one more cruise around the lake and around Buzzard Island before we called it a day and headed in.  The clouds were building and it was time to get off the lake.



And while no rain fell while we were on the water, about thirty minutes after we came in and after all the tents had been packed away for next year, we did indeed have a brief little rain shower.

I talked to some of the vendors when we came in who all said they had a very good day and are already looking forward to next year.

If you let the weather keep you in and you missed the floatilla this year, I sure hate it for ya.  We had a wonderful time and hopefully the weather will be more cooperative next year!

Float on!

The SIGIS Take a Trip Series:
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
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Saturday, May 31, 2014

Poker Run Stop 1

The Floatilla was totally fabulous.  Full post coming soon.
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Friday, May 30, 2014

Michael Henry Visits Natchitoches for a Book Signing

Look!  It's me and Willie Mitchell Michael Henry!

Author Michael Henry came to Natchitoches yesterday to sign books at the Kaiffe-Frederick General Mercantile , the oldest (and coolest) store in the state of Louisiana.

Steve and I made a special trip to see Mr. Henry and to pick up some books.  I'm a big fan of his Willie Mitchell series and with his new book, Finding Ishmael, there is a new character to love and follow.

Mr. Henry insists he is not Willie Mitchell, of course, and he isn't, but he is indeed a gifted and engaging writer.  If you haven't given him a try yet, what are you waiting for?  The movie?

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The Disabled American Veterans Sponsor Memorial Day Services at Greenwood Cemetery and a Surprise Guest Attends

Today is officially Memorial Day and despite cloudy skies with off and on rain the traditional Memorial Day observance at Greenwood Cemetery today went off as planned.

The speaker this year was retired Air Force Major Carroll Michaud who is very active in veterans affairs.


His message today was one that is near and dear to his heart:  Memorial Day is more than a three day weekend.  It is a day to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our country.  He stated that it is important to observe Memorial Day on the traditional day designated rather than the Monday before.  "The meaning of the day gets lost" in cookouts and shopping sales, he explained.



Parkway High School AFJROTC participated in the ceremony with their presentation of colors, a violinist who played the national anthem, and they served as escorts during the wreath presentations.  There was also a flag folding ceremony.


There were many organizations present today to present wreaths; the turnout was excellent given the soggy conditions.  Our good friend retired Major Ron Chatelain was there to present for the Military Order of the Purple Heart:


Steve presented for the 40 & 8:


The Sons of the Confederacy wrapped up the ceremony with a rousing gun volley...


... and then the haunting notes of Taps was played over the graves of the fallen.



Making an appearance today was also Anna Judd, the young woman who is running across America to raise awareness for veterans' issues such as PTSD and the suicide rate which she says is twenty-two per day.  Anna says she runs about 33 miles per day; she started her journey in Venice Beach, California and she plans to end in New York at the Freedom Tower before her 30th birthday at the end of July.  She thanked the veterans in attendance for their service and posed for some photos with the Sons of the Confederacy:


And she took a photo with Steve and Ron:


After the ceremony she stayed to help the DAV pick up flags:


The rain held off for the ceremony today and started to pick up a little as it was all ending.

Please take a note from Major Michaud's speech today and take time to honor the fallen today on this traditional Memorial Day.

(The Shreveport Times photo gallery of the event is here.)
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Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day 2014 in Shreveport


It has been a full day of Memorial Day events for us.   It has been a glorious day!


We began the day with the noon ceremony at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville where guest speaker Col. James A. Jackson spoke about his time in the service which elicited both laughter and somber moments from the crowd.  He pulled no punches on his opinion of the current state of the VA debacle; while he refrained from getting political, it was clear that his interest is with the veterans and that they get the care they deserve.  It was a message that was well received.


There was an extended round of applause for "the greatest generation" attendees which was simply awesome.  And then there was the presentation of wreaths from the veterans organizations.


Chef de Gare Shawn Bohanan presented for the 40&8 and Ed and Judy Lamb presented for Cabane 137.



After the ceremony Steve,our friend Jerry and I piled back into the Jeep and zoomed across town back to the American Legion for the Memorial Day observance by Branch 98 of the Fleet Reserve Association.  I made piles of chicken sandwiches which we destroyed on the way over to the Legion which is no small trick when you're in the back seat of a Jeep with the top down and your hair is blowing like a tornado in Kansas.



After the ceremony we all piled into the Legion lounge for cool refreshments.



The ceremony on the point was very well attended and was very moving.


Even the mayor attended!



 I wish I knew the story of every vet there.


 The wreath was cast upon the waters to the tone of solemn bells.



After it was all done Steve and I joined friends for a spontaneous cookout.  The setting was beautiful and the company was perfect.



All in all, it was a perfect Memorial Day:  solemn observances, good friends, and good memories.

Please be sure to check out my post today at DaTechGuy about Shreveport's version of Saving Private Ryan.  And if you live in the area please plan to attend the traditional Memorial Day observance Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery on the corner of Centenary and Stoner.  This event is usually so sparsely attended it just breaks my heart.  I would love to see a good crowd there this year.

If you can't come, please spread the word and invite others.




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Friday, May 23, 2014

Memorial Day Events Shreveport/Bossier 2014

Memorial Day weekend is traditionally "the start of summer" but lets take the time to honor the fallen this weekend.

Take a moment to read about the history of Memorial Day:
Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers. 
During that first national celebration, former Union Gen. and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.
Local towns picked up the banner and across America we have observed Memorial Day in our cities, small towns, and communities ever since.

Locally, there are several observances that we can join over the next few days.

American Legion Post 450 will have a salute to fallen soldiers at David Raines Park on May 24.  Following the observances, there will be food vendors, a voter registration booth, health screenings, a softball game, and arts and crafts activities for the kids.

Monday, May 26 will be a busy day with several observances throughout town.  

The first is at Hillcrest cemetery in Haughton at 9:00 a.m. at the Sunrise Stage Amphitheater.   Guest speaker this year is Ray Urban from American Legion Post 14.  

At noon on Monday, there will be a ceremony at the Northwest Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery in Keithville.  This is always a very moving ceremony as various service organizations, such as the Gold Star Mothers and the Order of the Purple Heart, place memorial wreaths.  Last year the Patriot Guard thundered in to begin the ceremony and the line of motorcycles seemed to go on for miles.  It was as moving a thing as I've ever seen.  


In the afternoon, at 2:00, head on over to the American Legion Post 14 for the traditional Wreath Laying Ceremony in the waters of Cross Lake sponsored by the 98th Fleet Reserve.  The tolling of the bells for lost shipmates is haunting.  If you're in attendance at that event, find me and you can be my guest in the Legion lounge for a cold beverage following the ceremony.  



Regroup, cool off and then head on over to Broadmoor Baptist Church for the 6:00 p.m. program headed by Sheriff Julian Whittington who will speak. The Young Marines will serve as Honor Guard. There will also be a choir and bagpipes to honor local fallen soldiers.

Close to my heart is the traditional Memorial Day observance each year at Greenwood Cemetery at the corner of Stoner and Centenary. The date this year will be Friday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m.  This is sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 30 and the speaker this year is former Air Force pilot Carroll Michaud.  Service organizations will again place memorial wreaths.  



Greenwood cemetery is where two of the Kelley brothers are buried; watch for a story on them in my weekly post at DaTechGuy blog this Monday.  One Shreveport family lost three sons in less than two years during World War II.  Their father wrote a local congressman begging him to spare his fourth son who then remained stateside for the duration of the war.  



So before you fire up your bar-b-que and put on your flip flops this summer, take time to remember the fallen.  Take time to learn about their sacrifices and the sacrifices of the families and the country that supported them. 

 Go here to watch an amazing video of the 507th PIR and their emotional return to Normandy years after their participation in the D-Day invasion. (Georgia Public Broadcasting link; it's safe.)  Here's a trailer:


Here you can listen to service songs of all the military branches. (PBS).

And this:






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Sunday, May 18, 2014

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!

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