Day 13- Louisiana

 I left Texas this morning, making a few stops on my way to Louisiana.

Today was my first real day of driving with a migraine.  I always knew in planning this trip that this was a possibility.  I've spent my whole life (Since age 2) living with chronic migraines.  At this stage in my life I am averaging 2-5 a month- which is a huge decrease from where I was, but with 6 weeks on the road, I was looking at 2-7 migraines, so I guess I'm glad I made it to day 13. I was woken up at 12:30am this morning in incredible pain probably a 8 on my pain scale (check out the link if you are interested in my personal pain scale). I was able to get my meds on board and get back asleep.  I work up and was now at about a 5, definitely still light and sound sensitive, but I could move. 

For those that know me well, you know I don't let my chronic illnesses stop me.  If I did I wouldn't be able to work.  I have often taught with a migraine, I've gone to classes, taken exams, etc. But driving is hard.  

• First there is the noise.  Thankfully we have a newer car that blocks out a substantial amount of road noise. I also have made a personal choice throughout this trip to limit my time on the highway, so this has limited my noise as well.  
• Second, there is the sun.  My fix for this was a new pair of sunglasses for the trip.  They have blue lenses, which is really calming for me and blocks out a lot of the harshness that is sun on pavement.  
• Finally there is the pain.  I've got meds that if I take them quick enough they cancel out a lot of the pain, even if they don't remove all the symptoms.  Additionally I brought insta ice packs on this trip and they have again saved the day.   By the time I ate lunch the migraine was reduced to a headache that was just a minor annoyance- about a 2.  I'm glad today was a short driving day. 

Assortment of photos from Buc-ee's

Stop 1: Buc-ee's. I thought it was weird that so many people told me I had to go to a gas station. But I get it now, it's so much more than that.  I got a fresh made breakfast sandwich: Sausage, egg and cheese on a croissant.  But this was not a disk egg as we typically find on breakfast sandwiches, these were freshly scrambled creamy eggs perfectly seasoned, just the way I like them, piled high atop a spiced sausage patty with cheese.  YUM. From the sweets counter I picked up homemade fudge--yes they make it right there and cinnamon Pecans (Probably the best thing to come out of the south).  I also got myself a fruit cup and a salad for lunch. 

Union Missionary Baptist Church.    ,
Jefferson, TX

Stop 2: Jefferson, TX.  I stopped because of the Union Missionary Baptist Church that is located there and the history behind it.  I stayed because of all the cute shops and beautiful old buildings.  If I lived in TX this would definitely be a cute place for a girls weekend.  As it was for me this is where I stopped to eat my lunch. 

    Jefferson, TX
     

Hotel- I was able to check into the hotel early, mostly just to get the beer in a fridge. It was still cold when I took it out of the cooler so that's good.  

Stop 3: Melrose Plantation.  This plantation has a history of strong women.  First run by a freed slave, Marie Therese CoinCoin and her children she started with 68 acres gifted to her by her French lover, and father of 10 of her children Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer, when he freed her, it grew over time after she got a land grant of 1000 acres from the Spanish. Her son founded a local church that is still active today and just down the road from the plantation.   In her lifetime, she and her children had one of the greatest estates in the colony and own hundreds of slaves. 

Melrose, Plantation

After numerous owners, it was purchased by a Mr. Henry and his wife, Carmelite Garrett Henry, she would go on to turn the estate into an artists commune, where writers and artists could come, live for free, so long as they complete their work on the property.  The last artist on the property was Clementine Hunter, a primitive/folk artist whose art hangs in museums all over the world. She born a share cropper at a plantation down the road and moved to Melrose at the age of 13.  She worked outside before moving into the kitchen.  She continued to work even as she painted. She was unable to read or write having only 1 year of formal education. 

*I strongly encourage you to research and learn about Melrose plantation and it's history, it's fascinating. 

St. Augustine Church Louisana

Stop 4: St. Augustine Church Which was founded by Marie and Claude's Son Augustin. It was the first church founded by and for Freed slaves in Louisiana. A
portrait of him still hangs in the church. Clementine Hunter's final resting spot is also on church grounds after she died January 1, 1988 at the ages of 101

Dinner: Cane River Commissary- Worth coming to Louisiana all on its own.  First of all the staff was amazing and so helpful. They suggested something Not on the menu that they call the Trinity- cup of gumbo, cup of jambalaya and a meat pie.  It did not disappoint.  I was worried the jambalaya would be too spicy, but it was just a kick, flavorful not overpowering.  In fact is was my favorite dish of the night and as I drove back to the hotel and sit here now, I can't think of much I would like more than another plate of it.  

Jambalaya, Meat pie and Gumbo 
Cane Rive Commissary
Natchez, LA

     The gumbo was okay.  I tend to like a more stew like consistency, where as this was more soup like- needed to thicken up, for my personal preference, but the flavors were on point.  I had to save the meat pie, so that I had room to dessert.  As it was I brought half of the dessert home anyway-  Bread Pudding with Bourbon Pecan glaze.  Again YUM. 

Natchitoches Historic District

 Stop 5: Front Street and Historic Natchitoches (Pronounced Nack-i-tish) It is so pretty and romantic.  Makes me really miss my husband tonight as I watched a dozen couples walk hand in hand on the water, or take a carriage ride around the city.  The city itself is the oldest in Louisiana having been set up as a trading post in 1714. The film Steele Magnolias was filmed here and the town clearly capitalizes on that as well as the many plantations and historical sites to visit.  In just my mile walk about town I saw at least a dozen Bed and Breakfasts in historic homes.  I would happily come back and visit.  I've hear the fall is lovely. 

Hotel Review: Fairfield Inn & Suites

Pros: Right off the Highway, mini fridge, microwave, free parking, breakfast included (and they did it well-still all individually packaged, but great variety, easy grab and go), TV, Desk with chair, 2 night stands with lamps, plenty of outlets, Sink in the bathroom, door automatically deadbolts, strong A/C, Clean, elevator, luggage carts

Cons: Flat pillows, shower door doesn't close correctly so the entire bathroom floor got wet, poor wifi (not enough to load facebook or instagram fully and my phone couldn't connect at all), Bed TOO firm (that's a really high bar for me) 

Today started rough with my migraine, but I pushed through, accommodated myself as needed and am going to bed tonight sleepy and healthy having walked 5 miles today and going to bed with no headache at all. 

Signing off for now

-C