Bike Ride to Natchitoches

Alexandria to Natchitoches: 62.5

Total mileage: 1233.7

 

Well today was my birthday and with my cue sheet I received an extra slip of paper which was a scavenger hunt with 25 things listed. Throughout the day I would be responsible for taking pictures and video of each item or task. Thank goodness I was sweep with Marta because we made several stops before heading into lunch. For a complete list check out the post with some of the pictures I took.

Lunch was at a great pecan shop with free samples

After lunch there was an option to visit the Melrose Plantation which was well worth the extra ten miles out of the way. The road was dotted with farms and a winding river - very picturesque. To my understanding th explanation was for pecans and has been preserved. While we were walking around we met two people who we in charge of restoring the plantation house. We had a great talk about the field of restoration, how they got involved and some of the techniques they use. For instance, to determine the ratio of materials for the chinking in the weaving house, they place a small sample in some weather over night and in the morning the different components are separated. They can then use those same proportions to create a new batch.

 

As soon as we got into the host, we were broken up into smaller groups for the bike clinic. This is an event we have a couple times throughout the summer to help with safety talks and helmet fits. The even tonight happened to be a special one because we would be doing an escorted ride around the town with the kids who showed up with a bike.

 

The talk went well and we had about 20 people show up with their bikes. As the ride got started, there were a few kids who had not been on a bike in a while, but after the first block they were well on their way. After all my days as a bike tour guide I sped off to help block the traffic (and I got a gold star because of it).

 

After we got through with out .5 mile ride everyone was invited back for dinner at the church where we were staying. A couple of us were sitting with some middle school aged girls who had come to the clinic. Long story short, their group had come from a teen home and many of them from a rough background. We had a great time joking and dancing. As they were leaving one of the girls said that she could not remember a time that she has laced so much which was something great to hear. Here is a picture with Megan and the girls who were at our table.

The evening wrapped up with a killer thunder and lightning storm and a surprise from the Gentlemen's Club (described in the 25 on your 25th posting).