Day 3

Day 3

Today’s trip was from Natchitoches to Alexandria (which I didn’t quite make)

Started the day off with breakfast at the Church Street Inn, after which I took a walking tour of the historic part of Natchitoches. Following my trusty tourist map I got at the hotel I made my way to Fort St. Jean Baptist, which got high marks from all the tour books I had reviewed before the trip. I arrived before it opened and took a walking tour of NLU campus to burn some time. I arrived back just at 9 when the state historic site opened, paid my $2 and reviewed the exhibits inside before heading to the fort. I wasn’t expecting much but though it strange there was smoke coming from what appeared to be inside the fort. When I got to the gate an interpretive ranger in late 1700 French attire greeted me. Mr. Tommy Akins took me on a personal tour of the French frontier fort and all the history behind it. Well worth the hour I spent there and would encourage anyone in the Natchitoches area to check it out.

After I checked out of the hotel I met one of JoAnn’s friends, Kim for lunch. We met at Mama’s Oyster Bar where we visited and she made other recommendations regarding Natchitoches and the days trek to Alexandria.

After Kim left for work I made my way to the visitor center where I met Scott, in fact he came out to meet me. He was a cyclist and a biker (the motorized version) and has made the LA1 trek on his motorcycle several times. He made some route recommendations and gave me a Biking Louisiana map which I had no idea existed… He also told of his ‘stealth camping’ asking if that was my plan, I said maybe.

I left on Natchitoches on LA1 and happened by the State Fish Hatchery where Bob’s friend from collage is the director. I had heard stories of Karen’s work with the Peace Corp in Africa and stopped by to meet the friend Bob spoke so highly of. Karen was really nice and took time to sit and chat with me about fish, Bob and work, Georgia Tech, Africa, and retirement. I really enjoyed our conversation but she had fish to tend and I had road to ride.

I had a wonderful tailwind and sunny weather. Quit the opposite of yesterday. After I got away from town the road improved from old concrete to flawless asphalt. Plenty of pecan orchards and wildflowers, this is the prettiest part of LA1 I have seen. The Cane River Heritage Trail joined LA1 heading south in this area.
It was getting to be 5:00 and my knees were giving out, even with the tail wind I had gone about as far as I could. In Zimmerman I did a quick search for camping. I had been seriously thinking about stealth camping. The iPhone said Cotile Lake Recreational Area, 8.1 miles, 6 of which was off of LA1 but I decided this was it.

I got there and tented for the night. After a warm shower and some fruitcake for supper it was bed time.

Stats
51.24 total miles
26.6 max speed