This morning I set out and crossed the Sabine River entering Louisiana. Until I reached my first major highway the roads were narrow, without paved shoulders, winding, and passed through small towns, villages, and pine forests. These are not the pines with which I’m familiar in Canada but the clear-cuts behind the narrow bands of trees left along the highway were very familiar. In places not even that pretense was maintained. Highway 8/28 east, once I reached it was largely under reconstruction and hence restricted to a single lane in each direction. The smell of pine woods was frequently strong.
When I reached Alexandria I decided to stop at an Albertson’s Grocery Store. The good news is that the store recorded in MS Streets and Trips was still open and located where the electronic map said it was. I have made three observations after a few hours in this part of Louisiana. No one seems to feel it necessary to signal their intention to make a turn forcing someone attempting to make a turn to wait until they are certain what the guy coming the other way is going to do. In the mall parking lot no one felt it necessary to place their shopping carts in the corals provided, they just dumped them wherever they pleased. When I asked about succotash I got blank stares, apparently it is not popular in this part of the world. It seems on St Paddy’s day it is perfectly acceptable in this part of the world to pinch anyone caught not wearing something green. The only piece of green clothing I own is the tie I used to wear at work on March 17th back in Oakville. The girl in the flower section kindly gave me a strip of green ribbon. Guess I’m thankful I won’t be here for April Fools Day.
Alas not everything turns out to be where MS Streets and Trips says it is. On a lark I decided to stay tonight at the Paragon Casino RV Park as the price was right, they make their money off gamblers. It wasn’t until I struck out for the place following my GPS’ directions that I discovered it was 30 miles out of my way. Natchez and my next campground was only 70 miles distant at that point. The road paralleled a railroad on the right and just out of sight to the left a tributary of the Mississippi with crossroads leading to locks and dams. I travelled alternately beside swamps and farmland. The road was largely straight but seemed to go on forever. Gasoline in Louisiana runs as high as $3.55 and the few places as low as $3.35 had long line-ups outside them.
It was with some relief I finally noticed a small sign that read Paragon Casino 11 miles. At least I was actually on the right road. Casinos here are run by Indian Bands as in Canada and finding the RV Park amid the covered and open parking lots was a bit of an adventure. I’d looked at the map online in the past few days but.... When I finally found the campground office parking was 1000 ft from the door. The unsmiling overweight Native American Female who processed me demanded my drivers licence, my Good Sam’s Card and my Credit Card. She photocopied each after laboriously recording them on her computer station. She even commented on the fact that my Good Sam’s Card is expired, I won’t see the current card until I go through my mail back in Oakville next month. Only after I’d signed a good behaviour document did she return my plastic. At that I have to check back in before I leave before the transaction will be completed meaning that I can’t leave until the office opens again tomorrow. Oh, and Wi-Fi access costs $4 extra per day. Camping is an extra $5 on weekends.
One more disturbing note, the warning of what to do in the event of a tornado on the back of the rear view mirror hanger. No word of adverse weather here but there is a flood warning for the Mississippi in Natchez the end of next week. Having entered the State of Louisiana on a secondary road I have yet to encounter a Visitors’ Welcome Centre. The shuttle bus to the Casino makes regular circuits of the campground and does so 24-hours a day. The restroom facilities were clean and well appointed and the showers were free.
When I reached Alexandria I decided to stop at an Albertson’s Grocery Store. The good news is that the store recorded in MS Streets and Trips was still open and located where the electronic map said it was. I have made three observations after a few hours in this part of Louisiana. No one seems to feel it necessary to signal their intention to make a turn forcing someone attempting to make a turn to wait until they are certain what the guy coming the other way is going to do. In the mall parking lot no one felt it necessary to place their shopping carts in the corals provided, they just dumped them wherever they pleased. When I asked about succotash I got blank stares, apparently it is not popular in this part of the world. It seems on St Paddy’s day it is perfectly acceptable in this part of the world to pinch anyone caught not wearing something green. The only piece of green clothing I own is the tie I used to wear at work on March 17th back in Oakville. The girl in the flower section kindly gave me a strip of green ribbon. Guess I’m thankful I won’t be here for April Fools Day.
Alas not everything turns out to be where MS Streets and Trips says it is. On a lark I decided to stay tonight at the Paragon Casino RV Park as the price was right, they make their money off gamblers. It wasn’t until I struck out for the place following my GPS’ directions that I discovered it was 30 miles out of my way. Natchez and my next campground was only 70 miles distant at that point. The road paralleled a railroad on the right and just out of sight to the left a tributary of the Mississippi with crossroads leading to locks and dams. I travelled alternately beside swamps and farmland. The road was largely straight but seemed to go on forever. Gasoline in Louisiana runs as high as $3.55 and the few places as low as $3.35 had long line-ups outside them.
It was with some relief I finally noticed a small sign that read Paragon Casino 11 miles. At least I was actually on the right road. Casinos here are run by Indian Bands as in Canada and finding the RV Park amid the covered and open parking lots was a bit of an adventure. I’d looked at the map online in the past few days but.... When I finally found the campground office parking was 1000 ft from the door. The unsmiling overweight Native American Female who processed me demanded my drivers licence, my Good Sam’s Card and my Credit Card. She photocopied each after laboriously recording them on her computer station. She even commented on the fact that my Good Sam’s Card is expired, I won’t see the current card until I go through my mail back in Oakville next month. Only after I’d signed a good behaviour document did she return my plastic. At that I have to check back in before I leave before the transaction will be completed meaning that I can’t leave until the office opens again tomorrow. Oh, and Wi-Fi access costs $4 extra per day. Camping is an extra $5 on weekends.
One more disturbing note, the warning of what to do in the event of a tornado on the back of the rear view mirror hanger. No word of adverse weather here but there is a flood warning for the Mississippi in Natchez the end of next week. Having entered the State of Louisiana on a secondary road I have yet to encounter a Visitors’ Welcome Centre. The shuttle bus to the Casino makes regular circuits of the campground and does so 24-hours a day. The restroom facilities were clean and well appointed and the showers were free.
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