Georgetown

   I headed out La.500 to the prize. Let me set the scene again.
Here's what we know thanks to Barry. Let me refresh your memory and add some more lore.
    "All I can remember of the lantern story is a large group of people were parking in the middle of the LR bridge late at night and all saw a swinging lantern going across the bridge".

     I didn't want to tell you this earlier because I didnt want to spoil the excitement.
     Barry added: "... there used to be a railroad that went east and west. The abandoned trestle over the LR went thru Georgetown on its way to Hwy 167 and beyond. It served the area logging mills back in its heyday and was used up till at least the mid 70's, from what I remember. The old depot in Georgetown is long gone now".
     I had kinda guessed the "east-west" route. I am glad that he did not take that for granted. Guessing is not my forte', as witnessed on this site over and over.

I rode out on the bridge and knew that it was not a safe place to park regardless of Barry's traffic report. There was no shoulder and the few vehicles that did come by were not slowing for the view.

The bridge was a ways down there. Barry had guessed at 200 plus yards. I think he was correct with that "plus" addition.

I left Mz.Guzzi on the shoulder at the bridge entrance. She moaned as I walked away. I'd turned her off?? Telepathy? Yea, the wife can do that, too.

    Below is an example of how we get. When we live too close to beauty, sometimes we take it for granted and even make disparaging remarks about the subject dispared.
    Here's what Barry saw from these pictures:
    "The Little River looks like toxic soup or something straight from a Bangledesh slum and no way anyone could conceivably want to fish in it, much less eat anything that's coming out of it on a hook".

I saw a beautiful green swirl, something desert people and snow bounders would die for. I've had people write me for green pictures. Louisiana has the best greens in the world. In the other Little River article more can be seen. I'm not saying that I'd eat any fish from there. The green stuff eats the oxygen and that is not helpfull to Mr.and Mrs.Fish.

Just gorgeous. Anyone remember the 50's classic, "Monster from the Green Lagoon". It could have been made here. Now there's another strong point for moving the Halloween Party here. Of course with the crowd we need police assistance. Barry had this to say about the local force:
"Earl Self. I know him and he knows me....He's a good guy".

After returning home, I had a million questions to ask Barry, an all willing contributor until now, at least.
     I asked him how to get to the bridge. His reply:
     "I've not been on it before but the RR tracks parallel Hwy 500 from Georgetown to Little Creek so iffen you want to actually get on it, I'd find a place about a mile west of the bridge, park and hide the bike, and then hoof it on the old RR right-of-way till you reach the bridge. I'd not want to fight my way along the river from the bridge to the trestle"
     Oh, I didn't even mention this idea to Mz.Guzzi. I'm pretty brave but not that...."
      He added:
      "Did you get a 'howdy' in to Bigfoot or Mrs. Bigfoot?"
       Maybe we'll opt for another location. I solicit your ideas.
       Not yours, Fred.

I retraced my way back to Georgetown and went back south on US165. I soon saw the option to take OLD US165. Wow. It has now lost its paved skin and is a National Forest road. Gorgeous. And, again, the Forest Sevice has provided a cruiser happy gravel surface. Fred, you won't fall down, I promise.

As I approached Breezy Hill, the terrain increased in relief, ie, it got hilly.

More hilly, ie, reliefullmore.

Then it got paved and was named. Why not "Old US 165" ? We are erasing our past when it would be so so easy to preserve it. Don't get me started.

I came to the crossroads of 524 and 123. Let me just say this: "Louisiana Highway 123 is one of the most beautiful and exciting roads in the state". It should be in the La. Tourist Guide. There were no more pictures taken past this point. I considered the job done as it was 5:oo or a little after. La.123 is excellent between US165 and US167. After Dry Prong it loses its tightness and loosens into tight sweepers. It also loses its closed in forest beauty. It is a fun ride all the way to La.8, another good road.

    I got home about 8pm. It was dark. The Guzzi is not a real good night-timer. Her lighting needs a little help, no, a lot. My wife said she was starting to worry. I wondered at what point "full worry" would have kicked in? I showed her the wasp nest I saved for her. She was excited but asked if we could keep it outside until Spring, some year. Well, that's all for now.
       Thanks Barry for all the help.
       Please understand that there is a lot of kidding done here. The quotes were often taken out of context from Barry's and my jovial conversations, a few at his expense. Well it was my turn. Thanks again Bubba..

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