To Shreveport from Pensacola in a day

The previous posts were in this leg of the journey. The van eats up the miles steadily even though I am much more often passed, than passing on the highway. Highway 49 from Baton Rouge north to Shreveport was a new route to us and we enjoyed the sights: rice paddies, grazing cows, pastureland, new crops, rivers and lakes. It was all remarkably green though you could see that they have seasons and spring was in the air.

Arriving late in Shreveport and according to plan I sought a motel for a bath and bed. Punched up the Garmin and found a Howard Johnson's. These are usually pet-friendly and moderate in price. The Garmin guided me right to it. Then the fun began. The first room assigned had obviously been a short term rental, Coors light tallboy, unfinished, on the sink, the sheets a muddle, one phone unplugged, the other under the sheets. The clerk assigned a new room and gave me a new key. There was so much activity at 11:00 p.m. I started getting nervous. One white guy was knocking on doors saying time was up, a Black man had a sign on the door that said the doctor was out, flashy cars were coming and going, a man was washing his car. I took my bath, then trusting my gut, loaded up and we slept at the Flying-J, peaceful.