Bucket List Trip 2016~Day 51~ Mansfield, Louisana to Fordyce, Arkansas

After an unpleasant experience no more than 5 minutes after we left the hotel,

we decided to get out of Louisiana as fast as possible.

We didn't want to give them any more of our money toward gas, lodging and food.

We felt very unwelcomed.

Thanks to all the locals that flashed their lights to us to show us the speed traps.

They were hidden everywhere!

The worst was the one waiting at the transition line from 65 to 55 mph.

Even though we were driving 52 in a 55 zone, we felt threatened.

So we left, instead of spending the 2 days in Louisiana we had planned.

Your loss Louisiana.

 Today was pretty much a bust.

Nothing to see or do.

When we got off the highway in Texas, 

the first road reminded us of home.

 We were checking out Scottsville, TX

in honor of our Scottsville, KY home of Dollar General Store.

As you can see, it's pretty much a cross roads.

 This was the only building and it was closed.

 On down the road was the sign, but nothing thereafter.

Don't know where the 263 people were living.

 Drove the southern route around Texarkana.

Headed toward Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Landed in Fordyce, Arkansas for the evening.

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Follow along on our trip as I will try to post daily.

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We had planned to go down to Baton Rouge to visit LSU.

Bucket List Trip 2016~Day 50~Jacksonville, TX to Mansfield, Louisana

As we left Jacksonville, Texas

I began to realize we were back in the land of green grass and a variety of tall trees!

Yea!  Missed you grass and trees as I always do when I'm in Texas.

We took a big U turn in eastern Texas going into Louisiana today. 

We checked out a few towns with interesting names which rewarded us with a beautiful drive.

Didn't realize until we had passed through,

this is the home of Stephen F. Austin University.

 On 2 sides of the courthouse, parking was available in the middle of the street.

 Toledo Bend Reservoir of the Sabine River at the Texas -Louisiana state line

 A quick research of the bridge did not tell me how the length of the bridge,
 but it felt to be about a mile and half long.

Not intended, but we were on this route most all day.

 This brick street on the river reminded me of Savannah, GA.

 Our late lunch view in Natchitoches, LA on the Cane River.

We headed on to our hotel for the night.

At one point was a cotton collection sight.

The road was scattered with cotton that had flown from the trucks.

For lack of a suitable hotel in Shreveport, LA

we ventured over to Mansfield, LA and found a very nice spot.

The staff at this Comfort Inn is super nice and wants to do anything to make our stay pleasant.

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Follow along on our trip as I will try to post daily.

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Bucket List Trip 2016~Day 49~ Temple, TX to Jacksonville, TX

 Sadly, we left family in Temple, Texas this morning.

Our first stop was to check out a Buc-ee's as recommended by a friend.

 It is not a truck stop and even says trucks are not allowed. (Their spot is on the other side of the Interstate.)

The store holds about 10 Cracker Barrels' worth of shopping inside.

There was an assortment of food. 

 We thought we'd try a hot dog, but you had to use a kiosk to order one.

Unfortunately, we didn't need gas or we could have pulled in beside one of these 50? pumps

and bought gas for $1.88.  Instead, we moved on with our almost full tank and had to buy later for $2.03.

Yep, this gas station is Texas size for sure.

 Further north in Waco, we stopped at Magnolia Market.

What a crowd!  I had no idea it would be so crowded.

Neighboring businesses where charging 10 bucks for parking.  

We managed to find a parking spot on the street about 2 blocks away.

 The entire place was so crowded.  There were so many people you couldn't see the items for sale.

Lines were major long at all check-outs.

The bakery had a line down the block.

Finally discovered, items under the outdoor cover were 40% off.

 I was impressed how family oriented the place felt.

A sign encouraged play and that's what folks of all ages did (probably while a family member was waiting in line to buy something.)

 One of my favorite play items when I taught kindergarten.

 I later found out this town had a major tornado hit in 1953 which ripped apart major buildings in downtown about a block away.

These silos stood through that tornado. 

I bet a physics student could explain how a round construction stood through a tornado?

 As we left Magnolia Market, we accidentally came upon the Dr. Pepper Museum.

It was 10-2-4 Monday and if one of us could come up with a Dr. Pepper lyric,

we got in free!

Mr. G, who used to work with the company, said, "I'm a Pepper, Your a Pepper....

she said your in!

 How could we leave Waco without checking out the new Baylor Football Stadium!

 Traveled 84 east.

I'm really missing the crisp pictures the Nikon took going down the road.

Today's shots are brought to you by my Galaxy 4.

We had to check out Jacksonville, Texas also for namesake.

Mr. G spent his teenage life in Jacksonville, FL.

 This shot by Mr. G

A good ole greasy burger and fries from Legends.

Sometimes you just gotta give in.

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Follow along on our trip as I will try to post daily.

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