Recently the
family and I decided to take a day and do some traveling. One of our stops to
find some information on where we might go was the I-49 Welcome Center in
Boyce, LA located near Alexandria, LA.
We had a
pleasant stop. In addition to all of the tourist information and pamphlets one
normally finds at a welcome center there were a few displays from the Kisatchie
National Forest.
The welcome
center also has a covered picnic area which we used for our picnic. We enjoyed
the landscaping and noticed there was a statue around the backside of the
welcome center which was in honor of the men who served in the Civilian
Conservation Corps.
I found the
staff friendly and knowledgeable. They went the extra mile to offer suggestions
for trips.
Mardi Gras Tree - Photo by Vinson Mouser
The
facilities were extremely clean with vending machines, rocking chairs, and
restrooms. There is plenty of parking for buses, RV’s and cars. They even had a
Mardi Gras tree in the lobby.
The I-49
Welcome Center is located at 7050 Hwy. 1 N.Boyce, LA 71409. You can reach them
by phone at 318-767-6000. They are open year around except on New Year's Day,
Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, & Christmas Day.Their daytime hours of operation are 8:30 AM
to 5:00 PM. After hours they put tourist information outside.
There is a
security guard on duty once the offices close.
Wow, what a
great weekend. I just spent Friday – Sunday at Camp T.L. James near Downsville,
LA with my Boy Scout Troop 101.Our
Troop brought 7 boys and 2 adults for the Klondike Derby.
The weather for
the weekend was not the greatest. It was cold and cloudy and it even drizzled.
Even with the foul weather the scouts seemed to really have fun.
Klondike
Derby is centered, around challenging activities for the Scouts. Activities
included Tomahawk Throwing, Emergency Evacuation, Rifle Shooting, Archery, Knot
Tying, Chasm Crossing, Water Rescue, Atlatls Throwing, and much more.
Our Troop
took third place in the Water Rescue. During this event the scouts had to tie
three pieces of rope together using a sheet bend and square knot. The rope is
then thrown as a rescue line to a “victim” who is seated on a mat. The scout on
the mat then ties a bowline around his waist and the boys pull him across to
“shore.”
Sled, musher, and "dogs." Photo by Vinson Mouser
At night
there was a dogsled race with the scouts acting as “dogs” and musher. We had 4
dogs and one musher compete. The scouts had to “mush” (run pulling the sled) about
a mile and make two stops.
The first
stop they had to run down a hill and tie three knots and then return to their
sled. On the second stop the scouts built a fire, boiled water, put out the
fire, and left no trace. They then finished mushing the remainder of the
course. Our troop did well but did not place in the top spot.
Dutch Oven Pizza - Photo by Vinson Mouser
Other
highlights of the campout included the evening meal cooked by our Assistant Senior
Patrol Leader Steven. He cooked Dutch Oven pizza. The flavor was great and the
meal was cooked just right. We had a hard time getting the pizza out of the
Dutch Oven but we have a plan for the next time.
All in all
the campout was a success. It was a long drive but well worth it. I’m sure we
will be back next year!
Be sure to check out the video of the Chasm Crossing below.
Display in Visitor Center - Photo by Vinson Mouser
Last Saturday, for Arbor Day, we took a real quick
trip out to the Louisiana State Arboretum. We entered through the Chicot
State Park side and were pleasantly surprised that we did not have to
pay an entrance fee. I suspect this was because it was Arbor Day.
Annually,
on Arbor Day, the Louisiana State Arboretum gives out up to 5 infant
trees per family. In the past we have gotten mostly Oaks and Red Maples.
This year we chose A Southern Magnolia tree, two Fringe trees and two
Sassafras trees.
After selecting our trees we briefly walked
through the visitor center and looked at the displays. In the visitor
center there are displays that feature various information on the local
trees.
We then decided it was time for a short hike. Due to time
constraints we chose the Baldcypress Trail. This trail starts at the
visitor center and begins as a paved sidewalk which leads up to a deck
overlook. At this point the trail becomes a little more rugged.
To
continue down the trail you must descend a set of short stairs down
onto a dirt path which meanders through Baldcyprees trees near the shore
of Lake Chicot. The views are nice and the Baldcypress trees plentiful.
On
this day, the Louisiana State Arboretum was running their Arbor Day
program. The Baldcypress Trail was part of that program and staff had
placed out numbered signs on the trail. At the visitor center they
handed out questionnaires which coincided with each numbered stop. My
daughter really enjoyed this program and continued to hurry along the
trail to read and answer the next questions.
The
trail is relatively easy and is only 3/10 of a mile. It loops right
back to the visitor center. If you don’t have a lot of time this is a
quick and enjoyable trail. Directions:
Coming from the north on I-49, exit on LA 106 south. Turn left off LA
106 onto LA 3042 south. From the south, exit I-49 on US 167 and drive
toward Ville Platte. Take Hwy 3042 north. The Arboretum Visitor Center
is located within Chicot State Park. GPS Coordinates: N 30 48.233; W 92 17.276.
For a video tour of the Baldcypress Trail be sure to click on the video below.
We finally
got some decent weather here with sunny skies and highs in the upper 50’s. I
decided it was time for a trip. After consulting the internet and family we
decided to go and see the Louisiana Audubon State Historic Site which is the
home of the Oakley Plantation.
To say the
least, I was impressed. The Oakley Plantation was established in 1797 by the
Gray family.
Our first
stop was in the visitor center which has a museum, gift shop and restrooms. We
learned a guided tour of the Oakley Plantation was about to start so we hurried
down a gravel trail about 50 yards to the plantation home.
Garden Flowers - Photo by Lucrecia Mouser
We were
greeted by a tour guide who walked us through the plantation home. He explained
every detail and answered all of our questions. We learned a great deal of history about the
plantation as well as tidbits of information about plantation life, furniture,
and fire protection in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s.
It was during
the tour that we learned, in 1821, the Pirries family had hired John Audubon to
be a tutor for their daughter. It was at the Oakley Plantation that he had
drawn many of his famous paintings of birds.
Following
the tour we exited the plantation home to start a self-guided tour of the
grounds. We visited the outdoor kitchen, formal gardens, slave cabins, a barn,
and more.
The grounds
were well kept and it was easy to walk around. It was nice to see the moss
covered oak trees and watch the birds and squirrels.
Pieces of eight - Photo by Vinson Mouser
There are
three shorting hiking/nature trails. We took the short 1/10 of a mile turtle
pond trail which passed a small pond. There were signs along the way describing
the wildlife that could be seen in the area.
In addition
to the Turtle Pond Trail there are two other trails; Cardinal Loop Trail ½ mile
and Blue Jay Loop Trail, also ½ mile. All three trails can be combined, as they
interconnect to make a 1 and 1/10 mile hike.
There are
also dozens of picnic areas with barbeque pits so this is one historic site a
person could spend a good part of the day visiting.
Bed in slave cabin - Photo by Vinson Mouser
This tour
was highly educational, fun, and very enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to
expand your knowledge of Louisiana history, enjoy a stroll through the
beautiful grounds, stop for a picnic, or just pass a little time, the Audubon
State Historic site comes highly recommended from me.
The Audubon
State Historic Site is located just outside of Historic St. Francisville, LA at
11788 Highway 965. The phone number is 225-635-3739 or 888-677-2838 toll free.
Below is a video tour of the Oakley Plantation and grounds!
Warning – The Oakley Plantation home is three stories high with narrow stairways.
There are exits off of each story but you have to use the stairs.
It has been raining so much here in Louisiana that I haven't been able to get out much. I was going through some of my old pictures and videos and put this together. In 2009 we participated in the Philmont Family Program. This is video from the Sidewinders Overnight Program to Rayado / Kit Carson Museum.
Philmont Scout Ranch is located near Cimarron, New Mexico and is 137,500 acres of rugged wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The land was originally donated by Waite Phillips. It is now one of the Boy Scouts of America's National High Adventure Bases.
Lucrecia took the kids around 11 AM to the Cappell Park in Evergreen today. They were meeting up with several other home school families from the area. I had a few things to do before I was able to meet everyone at the park.
Pavilion - Photo by Vinson Mouser
I finally arrived at the park around 12:30 PM. The weather was not particularly good for a park day but it wasn’t raining so…….why not?
This is a fairly nice park but it has seen better days. There is a covered pavilion with picnic tables underneath. On either side of the covered pavilion there was a barbeque pit. There were at least three other open air picnic tables and one other barbeque pit away from the pavilion.
There is a tennis court but the net was not really pulled tight which caused it to have a pretty bag sag. There are benches alongside of the tennis court, the type you find at most tennis courts.
Swings and slides. - Photo by Vinson Mouser
There were three sets of play areas for the kids which included, three slides, swings, tunnels, and climbing bars. The swings and slides have pea gravel all around them.
The park has a sidewalk walking track for exercise. So it is convenient to bring the kids to play while you exercise,
Most of the park is surrounded by a fence but there are no gates so you still need to keep and extra close eye on any little children. There is a restroom which was fairly clean but alas there was no toilet paper.
Climbing Bars - Photo by Vinson Mouser
Right across the street is a very small country convenience store which carries a few basic items. Drinks, snacks, etc. It doesn't really look like a store. A big open sign lets you know your welcome to come on in and shop.
All in all this is a nice little park for a quick getaway. The area feels and looks safe. It is along a road that has slow but occasional traffic, near the post office and a convenience store.
To reach the park turn off of LA 21 left onto LA 361. The park is about 300 feet on the left.
Slides, tunnels and climbing bars. - Photo by Vinson Mouser
