Bus Tour
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Day 6: April 26, 2019 Bus Tour Comment via blog |
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Friday was bus day. We boarded a little before 8:00 and departed a little
after. Our first stop was at the
Grand Encore Visitor Center high atop a bluff
overlooking the Red River. The center contains a museum with exhibits on
the surrounding area and its history. And it's staffed by rangers willing
and able to expand on the displays and answer question. I got no usable
pictures of any of that but I did get a picture of the view I spent most
of my time there contemplating.
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Stop number two was in the town of Colfax where Robert Wolfe has put
considerable time and treasure into converting the old Hotel Lasace into
an incredible -- but dormant -- bed & breakfast. The furnishings include a
piano with family connections which JHA member Wayne Shannon used to
deliver a toe tapping rendition of "Pastime Rag #5". Robert has
already jumped through numerous regulatory hoops but they just keep
coming. Everyone on that bus is rooting for the B&B because everyone on
that bus wants to stay there.
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As happens with all bus tours, many points of interest were passed and
observed without being photographed. That was almost the case with Sparrow
Lane Bridge on a former Jefferson Highway and US-71 alignment. Pressed by
time requirements, there was good reason to keep everyone on the bus, but
Mike knew that getting so close without a good look would be almost cruel.
The group managed a high-speed dismount, look, snap, and reboard maneuver
that kept the lunch schedule intact.
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Lunch was at the historic Hotel Bentley in Alexandria. Construction started in
1907 and the ornate hotel opened for business in August of 1908. A major
addition was completed in 1937. The most recent of several closures
occurred in 2004. It ended in 2013 when the original part of the building
reopened as a hotel and the 1937 addition was converted to condominiums.
An onsite plaque predates this latest chapter.
Any decorated dome ceiling naturally triggers an attempt to photograph it
straight on and sometimes you can catch someone else doing the same. The
building's exterior is also impressive and sports a pretty nice
neon sign. We took advantage of the fancy marble
steps to take a photo of |
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The bus made one more stop in Alexandria. That was at the
Kent Plantation
where we were divided into three groups and given a express tour. Although
things were hurried in the interest of our travel schedule, our guide,
Sheila, conveyed lots of information and answered every question. The
numerous buildings provide glimpses of many aspects of plantation life
including making cloth (loom and spinning wheels) and cane sugar (boiling
pots). Bricks used in construction were made onsite.
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We made it back to Natchitoches in plenty of time for the banquet at
Merci
Beaucoup where Mike once again filled in for the absent Glenn Smith. I
made no attempt to photograph the various awards as they were presented,
but did steal a sideways view of all recipients in a single glare ridden
group.
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