January 22nd, 2008 | categorizilation: all categories,USA (LOUISIANA)
Today’s distance / ???????: 38.9 miles / 62.6km
Average speed / ????: 7.8mph / 12.6km/h
Time on skateboard / ????: 4h 58m
Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 1904mi (plus 266mi) / 3065km (plus 430km)
Ascent / ??: n/a
Descent / ??: n/a
End-of-day GPS coordinates: N30.26.50.0, W090.34.11.1
A rather blase day of skating today. Weather was fine, but I spent the day feeling worn out and out of energy. Just one of those days. The roads didn’t help. Below photo is ’nuff said, really.
I spent a little time in the Ponchatoula library updating the website, and made it to Springfield around 4:45pm. I stopped in at the Springfield town hall to ask directions to roads without much traffic and a shoulder and was given the bad news. “You’re in Louisiana,” the friendly staff said. “Not many of those kinds of roads around here apart from the Interstate.”
We did come to the conclusion that I should carry on along Highway 42, that being the lesser of many evils. Don’t be fooled by the ‘highway’ term. They’re all country roads. I left the town hall and headed in the direction I was supposed to.
A few minutes later a vehicle drove past me on the road, stopping ahead of me. It was one of the ladies from the town hall, Denise. “You realise you were supposed to take a left up there?” she asked.
Indeed I had mistaken the road and was heading along Highway 43 instead of 42. Turned out to be for my good however, and Denise invited me to her home to stay the night. “Don’t worry,” she reassured me. “I have a husband!”
So I am staying with the Martin family tonight. Miss Helen, Bill, Denise, Todd, Tracy, Heather, and Bethany. A lively household, a delight to be with. They introduced me to gumbo, a type of Cajun cooking here in Louisiana. Spicy gravy-like sauce with all sorts of goodies in it. Shrimp, crawfish, lobster…excellent…served over rice.
Thank you to the Martins for being such great hosts!
That Gumbo looks absolutely delish! Did you ask for the recipe? Wouldn't mind making it myself.
By the way, are you finding the new camera better than your old one? The pics don't look any different.
I hope this finds you in great health and spirits. It was a real special time we experienced over the past few days..stay safe in your travels, and I look forward to following your adventure…by the way, how was your MRE ? 
I was hoping that somewhere in the great state of louisiana, someone would fix gumbo for you!!
Its what we eat at christmas dinner every year.
hope you found better roads and much kindness today…Aidan and I will keep reading your updates=)
Hi Rob,
From the picture at the top of the page today (Day 551) I can see that you have made the acquaintance of a rather large pothole. You may end up seeing a few more of those as you travel across the U.S.
Enjoy the gumbo!
How come the roads are so bad in Louisiana? Is it due to hurricanes or what? I would love to be in that area of the U.S. I've only spent a week in New Orleans and gone by rail through the southern states, but I loved it. The scenery is beautiful and the cajun food is definitely yum! I see that hacker got to your site again. It's a pity the hacker couldn't put his talents to a better use!
haxr are the scum of the earth.
keep going bro im going to follow you all the way…..gumbo rules!!!!
Giday Rob,
Man, youve seen some rough roads alright. Weve been hoping youve been ok with the weather lately. Really enjoyed seeing our picture and your kind words. Keep well mate.
KIA KAHA
