Hiking Louisiana State Arboretum at Chicot State Park

Kaia and Finn on the boardwalk. Photo by Vinson Mouser

I went out to the Louisiana State Arboretum at Chicot State Park today with some of the family for a hike. The Arboretum is 600 acres and has around 6 miles of trails. The weather today was cloudy and a little on the chilly side but as we walked we began shedding our warmer clothing.

We chose the Wetlands Trail which is .7 miles round trip. The trail takes you into a swampy area which you cross on a boardwalk. In the middle of the boardwalk there is an observation deck with benches so you can take in all that nature has to provide.

On this trip we saw plenty of birds, some holly trees with berries, hardwood trees,  a few pine trees, mushrooms and more. The best part of the trip was the solitude. I really enjoyed the breeze blowing through the trees and the lack of man made noise.     
           

Mushrooms on the side of a downed tree. Photo by Vinson Mouser

There are currently two entrances to the Louisiana State Arboretum. The old entrance which is off of Hwy. 1173 is free of charge. The new entrance which is through Chicot State Park is free but you have to pay to enter Chicot State Park. There is a visitors center at the new entrance or you can
reach the visitors center by hiking from the old entrance.

I find if you like the solitude, winter time can be really enjoyable for a hike at the arboretum. Be sure to bring water as there is no potable water along the trails. At both entrances there are water fountains.

The longest trail at the Louisiana State Arboretum is 1.25 miles but you can combine trails for a longer hike. Along the trails you will find plenty of benches to take a break or just relax and enjoy the sounds and sights of the outdoors.

Finn hugging the trees. Photo by Lucrecia Mouser

At the old entrance there is a short paved path that is easy for a wheel chair. Along this trail there are nature signs you can read to learn about all the trees and different types of vegetation.

This is a good family trip for anyone who likes hiking. The trails are not particularly difficult but there are some ups and downs, lots of leaves, and a few roots that like to reach out and try to trip you.

I highly recommend the Louisiana State Arboretum at Chicot State Park for a relaxing and enjoyable hike. Take the family or head out alone. Just be sure you let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. I have hiked these trails many times and often see no one else.

A Ghost at Camp Attakapas

Was it my imagination, some supernatural phenomenon, or a ghost? I’ll let you read the story and decide.

On Thursday, November 22, 2012 I was at Boy Scout Camp Attakpas near Jena, LA. It was my second year as Winter Camp Program Director but my first year without the past Program Director assisting me on camp.

I had six adult volunteers on camp property with me. The camp is about 350 acres and has several buildings clustered in a small area. I know of no ghost stories from Camp Attakpas and previously have never seen anything unusual.

My group of volunteers had been working most of the day and had all retired to their campsites except myself and Brenda. I had driven Brenda down to her site and we were talking about the day’s events and what needed to be done the next day in preparation of the arrival of scouts.

It was around 9 PM and we were near the staff showers. There was a street light on, so the area was well lit up. Suddenly it went very dark which startled me. I asked Brenda, “What happened?” She replied, “The streetlight went out!” 

Photo of the lake at Camp Attakapas from Campsite Goodman

No sooner had she finished her explanation, I noticed the lights in the nearby Health Lodge went out. I asked her if she had noticed the lights in the Health Lodge go out, to which she replied that she had seen the same thing.

Now for disclosure purposes there were 5 other people on camp but to the best of my knowledge they were all back at their campsite preparing for bed.

Brenda commented, “I hope we don’t have an electrical problem.” I asked her to grab a flashlight so we could check the breaker box in the Health Lodge. 

On our way to the Health Lodge Brenda said she thought the lights in the Dining Hall had gone out as well. I was unsure as to whether the lights had been on in the Dining Hall.

When we arrived at the Health Lodge the street light came back on and once again illuminated the area. I entered the Health Lodge and noted all of the light switches were in the off position and none of the breakers were tripped. 

Next, we next went to the Dining Hall and were unable to enter as the Dining Hall was completely locked up.

I later spoke with the other volunteers and one of them stated there had been a light on in the Dining Hall Kitchen. All of them denied playing any practical jokes or being in the area.

That’s my ghost story from Camp Attakapas. Not really scary I supposed but definitely unusual.

Alexandria Zoo Recomended

Lucrecia and I took the kids on a trip to the Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana earlier this week. The Alexandria Zoo is one of my favorite zoo’s to visit.

There are a lot of animals to see but the best part is the shade. The zoo is full of trees and bamboo which provide shade from the heat of the sun. So often,  I have been to zoos that are concrete jungles but this is not the case of the Alexandria Zoo.

Photo by: Lucrecia Mouser

Currently the zoo is undergoing some renovations which should make it even better. A few areas are closed.

While at the zoo the kid’s favorite part is riding the train around the zoo and stopping at the playground. I enjoy observing the White Bengal Tigers and Lucrecia enjoys watching the monkey’s cut up. We all like feeding the fish!

I would recommend the Alexandria Zoo to anyone in the area. It is a good way to pass some leisure time with family, friends, and the kids.

Photo by: Vinson Mouser

Driving Blind

Before I write about the documentary "Driving Blind" I am going to write a little background history concerning Tod, one of two brothers in "Driving Blind."

In the early 1990's I was working on Summer Camp Staff out at Camp Edgewood Boy Scout Camp. Camp is where I first met Tod.

I was walking into the staff area when I noticed a staff member with red hair standing on a metal spring cot in the middle of the staff area. There were two or three similar cots nearby. The red headed staff member appeared to be surfing on the cots. It is important to note that there was no one else around.

I quickly joined this guy and we were soon both surfing on the metal cots, singing "Let's Go Surfing Now" as loud as we could. We surfed the cots, bouncing back and forth, and occasionally wiping out for the next 10 plus minutes. A friendship was born. That is how I met Tod who would later be known to me as Tod with one d from Leesville.

At camp we use to have a staff night out. One half of the staff got Wednesday night off and the other had Thursday night off. On one of these nights Tod, Chris, Abe, and myself all went out to the bowling alley in Lake Charles.

On this particular night as we were bowling we were pleased to note some attractive young women bowling in the lane next to ours. Abe had wandered off so it was just Tod, Chris and I. Tod quickly struck up a conversation with these women and we were making good progress.

Tod explained that we worked on Summer Camp staff at Alligator Lake and that we were all lifeguards. The story spiraled out of control from there with Chris and I adding to the story. Then Abe showed up and decided to throw a wrench in our plans when he said at the top of his voice, "I thought you guys worked at Boy Scout Camp!" (Busted.) Of course we tried to pass Abe off as a Counselor in Training who was always trying to cause us trouble. Needless to say we did not get any phone numbers that night.

Back in those days Tod was always a character who was ready with a good story or a one liner for comic relief.

In later life Tod moved out of state. We stayed in touch off and on by phone and facebook.

As I settled down to watch "Driving Blind" my mind wandered to these memories of Tod and I wondered what I was in for in this documentary. Tod had told me that he and his brother both had a genetic disease called Choroideremia.which caused blindness. It should be noted that I had never met Tod's brother.

I wondered, would this documentary be full of humor? I could see Tod making fun of his plight. Would it be wrought with sadness? Well, it could be real sad, after all, my friend has learned he is going blind. Would it be worth watching? I have to admit I was surprised.

"Driving Blind" is a visual extravaganza. It made me really think about the things I see every day and take for granted like the look of a city skyline, the beauty of a waterfall, and the wonder of something as simple as pine needles.

It also made me think about some things I never want to see again like Tod's naked butt. (Sorry, nothing personal.)

While enjoying the visual beauty of the film it touched a deep nerve, a realization that we are all just one step away from calamity. At the same time how Tod and Justin handled this calamity that fell on them so unexpected was an inspiration to me as it should be to all of us.

I could see how easy it would be to curl up and give up but Tod and Justin attacked the disease head on and in doing so turned a negative into a positive. "Driving Blind" is not just about two brothers driving around the country seeing things they want to see before they go blind. It's about two brothers growing closer together, their friends supporting them, and a drive to turn their calamity into something good. It's about raising awareness of a disease that so few know about, it's about helping others, it's about "Driving Blind" so others won't have to.

The documentary asked repeatedly,  "If you were going blind what would be the last thing you would want to see?" I thought of all the things that I would want to see last and I decided. I would want to see people just like Tod and Justin doing exactly what they did in "Driving Blind," never giving up, showing courage in the face of adversity, and showing a deep love and respect for others.

Everyone should watch "Driving Blind." Open your eyes up and you just might find you have been "Driving Blind."

For more information on "Driving Blind" click here.

Oogie, Oogie, Oogie, Oy, Oy, Oy

I was thinking about Camp Edgewood Boy Scout Camp in Calcasieu Parish. I spent so many days out there camping when I was in Boy Scouts. One of my favorite parts of camp, and a part I still love today, was the campfire.

I remembered a cheer we used to do called Oogie, Oy. It was a lot of fun and I decided I wanted to share it. I got my wife, daughter, and video camera and went out back and video recorded Oogie, Oy.

The video is good for Boy Scout Camps, Girl Scout Camps, American Heritage Girl Camps, Campfire Camps, church camp, pep rally's, and anywhere you want to pump up a crowd.

I hope you enjoy the cheer. Feel free to use it and share it, that's the point!

Backpacking the Backbone Trail

I just finished backpacking with my scout troop on the Backbone Trail in Kisatchie Wilderness Trails Area last week. The trail is in pretty good shape and the fall colors are just starting to show.  All in all the entire trip was good. There were hardly any mosquitos and the temperature was perfect. (Upper 70’s and Low 50’s)

 A few areas of concern:

1. One of the favorite areas to camp is up on the bluff about half way down the Backbone Trail. There was a fire through the area about 5 years ago and there are a lot of dead pine trees in the area. On the bluff site there are two dead pines in the middle of the camping area. We did not camp here due to those trees.

2. Just past the bluff the trail, although mostly flat, becomes a little difficult due to a lot of trees that have fallen across the trail. We were hiking with youth from ages 11 to 13 and a few of them had some trouble but nothing they could not handle.

This is one of my favorite trails to hike in Louisiana. There are a lot of elevation changes and along with the boulders, trees and wildlife, it makes the trail interesting.This trail can be done as a long day hike or an overnighter. Be sure to bring plenty of water and be prepared to purify extra water along the way. 

From the Kisatchie National Forest Website:

Directions: From the intersection of I-49 and Highway 6 (Natchitoches), drive west on Hwy 6 for 7 miles. Turn left (south) on Louisiana Hwy 117 and proceed 16 miles to Forest Highway 59, Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway. Turn left (east) on FH 59 and go to FR 339 or FR 329 for trailheads.

Hiking: Backbone Trail: The Backbone Trail is the main trail out of the 4 separate wilderness hikes. One trailhead is just off FH 59 (Longleaf Scenic Byway) on FR 329 at the Caroline Dormon/Backbone Trailheads. The other end is located on FR 339, also just off FH 59. The complete trail is 7 miles long and is intersected by all three of the other wilderness trails. High Ridge Trail: The High Ridge Trail is 1.5 miles in length and joins the Backbone Trail about 3 miles from the FR 339 trailhead. Scenery and landscape photo shoots are a favorite from this trail because, like its name, it stays up on a high ridge where the view is not obstructed. Turpentine Hill Trail: The Turpentine Ridge Trail has a trailhead located between the Caroline Dormon Trailhead and the entry road for the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area on FH 59. There is a small grass parking area at the trailhead with a drop box and entry forms for persons using the trail to let the Forest Service know your whereabouts just in case you run into trouble. Explorer Trail: The Explorer Trail is a very short 1/2 mile trail that connects to the Turpentine Hill Trail just south of where the Turpentine Hill Trail connects to the Backbone Trail. There is a very scenic view area and unique sandstone outcrops along this trail. A must see for all visitors and why not, it's just a 1/2 mile.