LA-MS Birthday Road Trip - August 3-5, 2018
Take a 420 mile roadtrip to Monroe, LA w/4 courthouses in the first 225
Cross an old school steel girder bridge on the way to Jasper
Approach the state border at the Toledo Bend Reservoir
Enter Louisiana 250 miles into the drive with 170 miles to go
Check out the Toledo Bend Tourist Info Center at the park
Check out the water along the park at Toledo Bend
Pavilions on both sides of the inlet
Look back toward the long bridge crossing the Sabine River, the state boundary between Texas and Louisiana
Make it to Monroe in time for visiting and Johnny's Pizza
Tripley happy for a great breakfast to start Saturday's adventure
And beside the Old Capitol, the War Memorial Building
Where General Grant had his first great victory on July 4, 1863
And common soldiers showed bravery and courage throughout
Back in Monroe, get a fried oyster po-boy at the Mohawk Tavern
One of Robert's favorite places to eat
Wake up on my birthday in Monroe with a 425 mile drive before me
But not done sightseeing yet, visit the River Park in downtown Monroe
View the Endom Bridge and railroad bridge behind it
And span right to the River Market buildings along Grand Street
Robert poses with the Ouachita River and Endom Bridge
River Market buildings continue south toward the I-20 bridge
The I-20 bridge continues west toward Louisiana Tech
A grand building is on the east side of Grand Street
It is the 1926 Ouachita Parish Courthouse
Enter the west side with US, Louisiana and Monroe flags flying
The courthouse could use some refurbishment on the 3rd floor windows
Cornerstone for the prior courthouse top with the state bird
View of the east side of the courthouse from St. John Street
Veterans memorial for those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom
Step back for a full side view on the east side of the courthouse
Notice a park further east so go and investigate
Anna Gray Noe Park, the first lady of Louisiana in 1936
A peaceful greenspace for visitors at St. Francis Medical Center
Named for Anna Gray Noe because of her civic activities, . . .
. . . garden club work & local beautification projects
Back toward the Ouachita Parish Courthouse across St. John Street and the River Park beyond
Lion fountain now utilized as a planter for plastic vegetation
Walk around the north side of the courthouse & the added fire escape
Long view of the Ouachita Parish Courthouse from River Park and the secured parking privacy wall
Walk back toward the River Park with the I-20 bridge in the background
Drive by Miss Kay's Sweet Eats from Duck Dynasty fame, in West Monroe
Drive by the Duck Commander store on the way to breakfast
Love to take the tour but the Dynasty are home brushing their beards
A large building with the exit on the right side, no pets please
We both take turns posing, David first by yelling "Duck!"
Robert gives his closing argument with law school taught body gyrations
Add a steak to my Latin Food breakfast & double Cuban coffee expresso
Back to Monroe for a quick visit to a museum also closed on Sunday
A military museum honoring those who gave some and some who gave all
OH-6 Cayouse light observation helicopter (Loach) used in Viet Nam
The Chennault Aviation & Military Museum on Central Ave @ Kansas Ln
General Chennault recruited pilots for the American Volunteer Group who became famed as the Flying Tigers
Chennault stayed in China through & after the war until retirement in 1950
Aircraft outside the museum include this Beachcraft C-45G Expeditor
A long grounded Douglas DC-3A Skytrain awaits its turn at refurbishment
"It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love" - Linus Van Pelt
A truck, an ambulance, a droptank and a rather large engine that perhaps once belonged on a B-29
The tired aircraft are at the back fence away from Central Avenue
P-40 Warhawk, the iconic aircraft of Chennault's Flying Tigers
Beechcraft 18R restored by the Chennault Aircraft Restoration group
Well preserved Mig-15, with Chinese Air Force markings
With an extended two seat canopy for a pilot and a trainer
The Korean War aircraft was brought to the museum in 2015
Definately an eye-catching aircraft grabbing attention along Central Avenue
Next up is a refurbished LTV A-7 Corsair II operational from 1967-1991
Carrier based aircraft assigned to the USS Miday & LT Sonny Kifer
The A-7 Corsair II was retired in 1991, replaced by the F/A-18 Hornet
Beechcraft 18R restored by the Chennault Aircraft Restoration group proudly on display along Central Avenue
First produced in 1937 through 1970 and still in use around the world
Similar to the aircraft favored by General Chennault while in China
Get up close to the iconic Curtiss P-40 Warhawk with covered canopy
2-blade prop on a replica craft that sported 3 blades in the 1940's
The P-40's performance at high altitudes & sturdy design made it a strong fighter over the mountains of China throughout the war
Celebrate my birthday with my 42-plus year friend & groomsman Robert
Head home, stopping at the Texas Travel Center after crossing the border
240 miles later, it's good to be back in the Lone Star State
Find all the state symbols in thick weld steel at the rest stop
Take a side trip on the way home to see 4 County Courthouses
Take Hwy 146 home and cross over the water on the Fred Hartman Bridge
Make the 398 mile ride home from Monroe, with several stops, in 8 hours
Drive 1042 miles over 3 days on a fantastic LA-MS birthday roadtrip