Kisatchee National Forest, Lousisanna

Day 11 - 258 miles

Found a place at a crossroads that was loaded with pick-up trucks and stopped there for breakfast. Just standard fare but plenty of it and cooked the way I asked for it.

Headed east again on US-84. Once you pass Palestine, the landscape really changes and it's a grand ride. The highway gently curves through the terrain, totally tree-lined, wildflowers along the shoulders, and you just feel like the forest extends on and on in both directions save for the occassional homestead along the road.

And unlike further west, there were actual RV camprounds along the way, for those who are camping. Someone also told me that the Fairfield Lake State Park actually does have camping, but I didn't feel like looking for it to see for myself.

Oh, and eastern Texas is definitely cattle and horse country, unlike West Texas which seems to have given itself over to sheep and goats. I almost felt like I was on a National Geographic safari, and Africa has nothing on the USA, with white herons "grazing" alongside the cattle, eating bugs stirred up by the cattle.

The "funniest" town I encountered was Reklaw, because the sign said "Welcome to Reklaw, Remember, that's Walker spelled backwards." Makes you wonder about the politics back when it was founded. Anyway, I laughed outloud all the way through town.

The little towns pass one after another, until you get to Joaquin. Then over the Sabine River, which is more like a lake up this ways, and suddenly you're in Logansport Louisianna. And the first thing you realize is that the speed limit on the US highways is 55. Even I felt like I was just putting along.

I stopped for my first taste of Louisianna BBQ at Graysons which is just a tick west of Clarence. Then just a short hop to Gum Springs Campground (yay, Rand & McNally know their National Forests. Yes, more sarcasm. It's also right on the 84 and you can hardly miss it.) Nice nice spot... $3 dollar per site and they're big sites.

Total miles: 2911