Back in Louisiana

Reality is nothing but a collective hunch.

Jane Wagner, Lily Tomlin in "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe"

I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.

Umberto Eco (1932 - )

First a rant about roads and drivers:

The Devil invented concrete block highways on one of his more malicious days, I've also driven a grooved highway that made my tires whine and the vehicle vibrate. I can sympathize with the trucker who declared that if one attempted to leave the recommended 4 vehicle lengths from the car ahead on the Gardner an 18-wheeler would be driving backwards—leave the space and someone feels compelled to fill it. I'd love to have a special 'vaporize' button for the idiots who pull in front of one after passing and drive slower; and what's with the people who pull in front with a half-mile of clear road behind, then slam on the brakes to make an exit. Also love slow-pokes who speed up whenever there's a passing lane. Have you ever wished you could push? Being caught behind two 60 ft tractor trailers attempting to pass is tedious. Somehow things improved once I got into Louisiana today but I was beginning to wonder since I entered New York State and began heading south, then west of I-20 if anyone paid any attention to posted Speed Limits; I know this is the land of the free but even freedom has limits. I was not impressed when someone with a small trailer dropped a load of brush in the middle of my lane, just thankful I didn't get rear-ended when I made the panic stop.

Unimpressed with my temporary home in Mississippi I decided to pass up on touring Civil War Sites in Vicksburg and hit the road. With today's hop that makes over 500 miles in two days. As I was getting unplugged to leave Vicksburg two small birds flew in my open motorhome door and had to be encouraged to leave. They were more frightened than I but I must say this is a first. Immediately out of Vicksburg almost as I entered I-20 the highway crosses the Mississippi River into Louisiana. The Welcome Centre was 8 miles down the road; as with most such centres I've visited the staff were efficient but hardly friendly. I stopped to shop at the 'evil empire' as it was the only place I noticed on my way to Tall Pines Campground, apparently I missed the nearby Krogers.

Sometimes one just recognizes immediately that one has made the right choice. Tall Pines RV Park was such a choice. A family-run business the coffee is free and the service attentive. I had no reservations in making a two day stand. A tour of their campground store proved I'm back in Cajun Country. Featured in pride of place were Tabasco Gift Sets but what really caught my eye was a gallon bottle of Habanera Sauce—used I'm told for tail-gate parties for making wings. I passed the stadium on my way in and remember being thankful there wasn't a game on.