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We spent this past weekend in El Dorādo, Arkansas at a Control Line flying contest. Most of the way there we had spectacular weather and sights: flat rice paddies, cane fields, crawfish farms and pine forests. When we got about an hour from our destination the early afternoon sky turned into the blackest of nights. (P&D's Pop just gave me a glass of Harvey's Bristol Cream to make me less morose because of the loss of my Lebanese left over. We'll see if it helps.) Those black skies started to rumble and roar dumping tubs of rain, excessive thunder and lightening. Grampa managed to drive through that incredibly bad weather and by the time we got to El Dorādo we were able to go and check out the flying field with only a few drops of rain falling. We ate supper in the city, a very clean and neat older city. Bella's is a Delicatessen cum odds and ends cum home made fudge emporium. We had a terrific pizza made with fresh tomatoes, peppers, onions, their own sausage and excellent dough. Then we took a leisurely stroll in the light rain around the city before heading back to the hotel and a good night's sleep.
Saturday started out so windy and rainy that we were certain the contest would be cancelled so we drove about 60 miles South, back into Gibsland, Louisiana to visit the Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum. Middle child had told us about it but I didn't believe that there was such a museum. Well, there is! It's rather tacky and not worth a four hour drive just for the museum but it was still very interesting. There are video clips they have put together of many of the people who were involved in the ambush of Bonnie and Clyde. The museum is located in the building where they had bought their last meal, sandwiches to go, which they probably never ate because they were gunned down by 6 law enforcement officers about 4 miles out of town. I did buy middle child a book written by Ted Hinton one of the law officers who took part in the ambush. It's quite an interesting story, macabre, ruthless but none the less historical.
As we headed back to El Dorādo the skies cleared and we got back just in time for the contest. P&D's Pop came in second place in Warbirds. While he was flying I met a lot of the Flyers' wives. They were very kind and that evening we went to the home of a member of the South Arkansas CL Club who hosted the whole gang, at least 16 couples or more. It was an incredible evening for us who tend to be quiet and shy with people. We were welcomed with open arms and made ourselves at home. Mike and Peggy had an old basket swing on their wrap around front porch and I was in heaven while Grampa spent beaucoup time in Mike's workshop. It is the biggest I've ever seen (remember, I've led a sheltered life!) There were planes and plane parts and other parts and parts for the parts, motorcycle, guns, antique furniture etc. etc. etc. I did make a short video of the workshop because I've never seen anything to equal it. Mike also builds honest to goodness real planes and owns a hangar at the local airport and also leases another one for his projects. They are salt of the earth people and you would never know they are quite wealthy - their home was built in 1930 and the lady who owned it asked Mike to buy it from her when she was not able to live there anymore because of her age. She had known Mike all his life as he was her neighbor. At the time Mike and Peggy didn't have money set aside for a home but she financed it herself and they paid her $250 a week. I don't know how long they made payments but it is a grand old house which they have remodeled a bit.
Sunday, after all of the flying, we left for home and crossed northern Louisiana then drove down eastern Louisiana before hitting Natchez, MI across the mighty Mississippi River. What a great drive. We passed miles and miles of corn fields before getting to St. Francisville, Louisiana, an hour from home. All in all a spectacular weekend.
Quote: It were better to have no opinion of God at all then such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only unbelief - the other is contempt. ___Plutarch
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