Heading out of Raceland after Monday & Tuesday’s thunderstorms, Miss Claudette Pitre, who hosted me at her bed & breakfast in Raceland, called ahead to arrange a place for me to spend the night in Des Allemands. Immersed for years within the local tourism trade, she has many contacts in the area, gave some “swamp people” friends of hers a call: Arthur & Kathy, owners of Arthur’s Airboat Tours. They gave me the green light, I headed in from Raceland, and they let me spend the night in a comfortable travel trailer they keep on the side of their house. Though their evening airboat tours generally run in the $60-per-person range, they gifted me a spot on one of their powerful wind-driven watercrafts. Chad, the pilot/tour guide, showed us all around the local swamp, introducing us to local bullfrogs, nutria (20-lb swamp rat), herons, bald eagles, and gators of all ages, including babies and aggressive mamas. One of the most on-edge interesting moments came when Chad slowed the airboat next to an enormous, thousand-pound alligator, “Big Al,” the king of his territory. Big Al is just now coming out of hibernation, and is therefore easy to handle, Chad assured.

Yes, this pic is for real. Yes, this is a gator in the middle of a Louisiana swamp.

“We won’t get this close to Big Al in the summer,” Chad tells me…

(Connected narrative from Facebook photo narrative; photos soon to reach photos page of enjoythewalk.org:)
Through no other option than to simply have jumped off into the swamp far earlier, Chad, the airboat pilot, had built up built up quite a degree of faith and trust amongst his five passengers. He started the tour by steering us at high speed into docks and trees, only to shift the airboat at the last moment and narrowly miss by inches, and making it obvious that he knew exactly what he was doing in this lifelong profession of his. He proved himself evermore by powering us through grass, mud & small trees, up and over levees, gravel roads, and logs. When he pulled up and stopped next to Big Al, I was the closest human to Big Al– about three feet from Al’s monster jaws. Gators can jump 2/3 their length, and given that Al is ten feet long, I would have made a quick & easy catch. At minimum as a fear repression approach, I basically had no other choice but to place full faith into Captain Chad. Chad then told us the “Big Al” story. They’ve been visiting “Big Al” for years, since he was a much smaller gator, and Big Al has grown used to them. They don’t feel threatened at all, but they also know their boundaries. (They’re lifelong, master gator readers.) They won’t approach Big Al in the summer, and of half a dozen or so territorial gators of similar size in the surrounding swamp, Big Al is the only one who’s tolerant and “accustomed” with their visits this time of year, as he’s emerging from hibernation. Chad played with him, and then another female passenger held his tail before I did– and by that time I felt confident enough that Big Al wasn’t a threat. That said, Big Al shifted and started moving again when my hands got a hold of his tail. The reason you still see me there is because he wasn’t moving toward me!

Airboat Captain Chad

Well, after two very comfortable weekend nights here at A Chateau on the Bayou Bed & Breakfast, I made it six miles away from Miss Claudette’s B&B this afternoon, occasionally enduring some light sprinkles from the sky (which actually felt good). There was a 50% chance of thunderstorms for today, and though there were clouds in the sky, the sun was shining on the B&B, so I decided to simply move forward. For miles out of Raceland, I was walking Hwy 182 en route to Hwy 90, and I was just outside the outer edge of very dark skies. A huge, intimidating system was lurking less than half a mile away. In one direction, there were blue skies with patchy clouds. The other direction, black skies filled with terror. Lightning was lighting up one half the sky, and thunder was roaring its way over to the adjacent sunny skies. I’d skirted the storm for six miles, walking mostly through grassy roadsides, aside a sugar mill, and on a dirt road through a sugar plantation(VIDEO), then Miss Claudette and a friend appeared unexpectedly to rescue me from some light, opening raindrops.
“Thank You, Miss Claudette!” I yelled to her, asking her to simply continue driving until she reached the next pull-off from the fast, moving, narrow two-lane highway.
“OK,” she told me, proceeding onward for half a mile.
It took me about five minutes to reach her, and as soon as she left, the tolerable light rain began to quickly intensify. Within two minutes I was in a downpour. A minute before reaching her car, her vehicle well within sight, powerful winds were whipping the raindrops sideways. Completely drenched and at a challenge to stand still amidst the suddenly intense winds, I arrive to her car door and hopped in without the slightest hesitation.
Miss Claudette returned me to her B&B, where I changed into dry clothes, and have also decided to accept her invitation to remain for today too, amidst patches of more thunderstorms. Clear skies for tomorrow, so we think, and I’ll move forward then.
Angels on the path… Absolute Angels…

For more videos from today’s storm-straddling miles, see my YouTube page.

Ms. Claudette Pitre in front of her Raceland Bed & Breakfast, A Chateau on the Bayou

On the afternoon of Saturday, March 10th, after waiting out Friday’s rains and spending a third night as the guest of the wonderful Paul & Lori Worrell at Thibodaux’s elegant antique Dansereau House Bed & Breakfast, I continued forward to Raceland, just over 12 miles down the Bayou LaFourche. Two roads run directly from Thibodaux to Raceland, Hwy 308 and Louisiana Hwy 1, each on either side of he Bayou. While some had recommended that I walk the prettier 308, some avid bicyclists told me to stay off 308, and stick to LA-1. Why? There are paved shoulders on the side of LA-1– something nonexistent aside the screaming traffic around the curves of 308. LA-1 quickly won the decision.

Both coming out of Thibodaux and walking down LA-1, what normally may have been a 4-hour race to Raceland turned into nearly a seven-hour affair. Lovely locals were stopping me left and right. Some knew the story and wanted to say hello. Others were curious as to why I was walking across America. I was so happy to meet so many of the abundantly friendly locals of LaFourche Parish.
After taking a brief lunch break with the fascinating Theriot Family, and meeting four generations of lifelong family residents of their local street, I reached St. Charles, where I was to cross the bridge above the bayou over to a treacherous final five miles of Hwy 308. I first decided a pit stop at the corner supermarket was in order. Outside the supermarket, I was approached by a variety of locals, all of whom seemed to cringe at the idea of me walking any distance aside Hwy 308. Their fear of the idea was contagious– and suddenly I began to wonder if I was putting myself into a seriously dangerous situation (not unknown to the Walk). Martin, Kerry, and “Bubba” (all of whom were new to me) were adamant that I should not walk that stretch. As it turned out, Martin & Kerry knew Miss Claudette, the owner/innkeeper of A Chateau on the Bayou Bed & Breakfast, my destination for the evening. They gave her a call for me; we all talked together; and Martin & Kerry agreed to place my belongings in the back of their truck and shuttle everything forward for me to the B&B. I was free to fly fast along the side of hwy 308. This worked out especially well, as the remaining hours of daylight were quickly ticking away, especially given all the great locals that were stopping to say hello…
I ultimately found that walking 308 with the cart would have been possible, for I have dealt with far less preferable scenarios, but not having the cart certainly proved to be very helpful to me. I made great time those last five miles, especially as the Houma Daily Courier caught up to me for the story, just in time for their Sunday edition.
I made it to Miss Claudette’s at dusk, met her fellow guests, and after hours of worthwhile evening conversation, settled into the cozy guest bed in room #1 for a full night’s sleep.

Paul & Lori Worrell, innkeepers of Thibodaux's Danereau House

Halfway between Thibodaux & Raceland, the Theriot Family pulls me off the busy highway to enjoy a meal and time to get to know them. Had I not been on track to arrive to Raceland today, I would have spent at least a day or more with the Theriots.

Breakfast at the Dansereau House

Not only did Paul & Lori provide hosting to me, they also fed me very, VERY well!

I was hosted for three nights at the Dansereau House Bed & Breakfast, in Thibodaux.

Halfway to Raceland, Kerry, Bubba & Martin find out what I'm doing and where I'm going. They warn me that Hwy 308 is very dangerous over the next 6 miles: fast, curvy, and no roadside shoulders. They volunteer to give me a ride to Raceland. I have to walk all of my miles, so I ask if they wouldn't mind simply dropping my cart full of belongings instead. They insist on doing so-- which saves me a whole lot of time as my feet fly out to Raceland over the course of the next two hours. I arrived shortly after dark.

I’ve been contacted by multiple sources regarding the appearance of the story of Andrew Forsthoefel & I meeting in Franklin.
Andrew is walking across America collecting stories from people of all walks of life. He walked by me just before 10 AM in Franklin, Louisiana, as I was simply standing outside, soaking up the morning sunshine, doing some yoga stretches, and getting a general feel for when I may wish to leave for the day, and how far I may wish to walk that day. I didn’t have any of my gear on me, but as he was a clean-cut guy carrying a backpack, with flags and a sign attached, I simply had to stop and ask him what he was doing.
“I’m walking across America, collecting stories,” he told me, “I began in Philadelphia; I’ve walked over 1,400 miles, and I’m headed to California.”
“Well, can I invite you inside for a glass of water? I have bananas too…”
“Sure!” Andrew enthusiastically tells me. “Did you compete in the Ironman race?” Andrew asked me, noticing the shirt given to me by a friend in Austin.
“No, but I think you’re gonna like my story more than that…” I invite him inside, and as he’s immediately impressed by the interior of Paul’s house, I explain that the house isn’t mine (how was he to know any different?), and that I was actually an invited guest of Mr. Paul. I escort Andrew to the living room, where my cart full of travel gear was residing, WALKING ACROSS AMERICA signs attached, and pointing it out to him, I explained: “this is what I’m doing!”

"By-chance" encounter with Andrew Forsthoefel, also walking across America, in Franklin, Louisiana.

Collecting stories as he walks across America, Andrew takes a few minutes to grab mine

Hosts Paul & Michelle take Andrew & me out to rural Acadia, introducing us to, among other things, delicious Japan plums!

Getting ready for the interview with Morgan City TV 22

Saying Goodbye. 2 men walking across America bid one another farewell before proceeding in their opposing directions. We'll definitely be staying in touch!

Well, after a 14-mile Monday, a 27-mile Tuesday, and 17-mile Wednesday, it’s time to take Thursday off here at Thibodaux’s Dansereau House, where wonderful innkeepers Paul & Lori Worrel have invited me to spend two nights before I continue my walk into New Orleans. Not only is my body aching and in need of a physically light day, I also can definitely use this great opportunity (especially with their wifi) to update the blogs and photos here on enjoythewalk.org.

This week’s story of the lovely encounter with Andrew Forstoefel, whom I met as he was passing through Franklin on his walk across America to collect the fascinating stories of everyday Americans, is now a tale being broadcast by news organizations across the United States and beyond– 188 stories from newspapers and stations across America and beyond can be found just on Google News. So, this is the perfect time to fill in many of the digital blanks with some of the very BEST selected moments of not only the past week, but also further back as well.

After a wonderful morning radio interview with local KBIT here in Thibodaux, I’m also preparing for up to three more interviews today in Thibodaux. People here have beautiful hearts and souls, and I feel very fortunate to have the chance to meet so many of them!

While it’s true that enjoythewalk.org was created to inspire you, and inform you of the Walk of Inspiration Across America, it’s also true that as I continue through the Walk, there is no handy smartphone app that allows me to easily update this website. Therefore, after reviewing this website, despite the fact that I update the news feed on enjoythewalk’s homepage frequently, blogs and photo updates typically have to wait till I find a location with wifi and have a day off. That said, there is a Facebook app on my smartphone, and I can typically deliver in-depth updates about the Walk, on a daily basis. Easily done with the smart phone app. If you’d like the quickest and in-depth, interactive updates about the Walk, I’d love for you to make the connection with me on Facebook. There is a link on the homepage of enjoythewalk.org; also, you can follow the walk on either www.facebook.com/enjoythewalk (the Walk page) and/or www.facebook.com/georgethroop (my personal page). You can subscribe to my personal page and/or “friend” me.
I’d LOVE to hear from you!!
Much Light & Best Wishes!!

George Throop

Earlier in the week, when I checked on line for what today’s weather was predicted to be, I not only saw storm clouds and lightning bolts, but I also saw the rare, extreme-weather exclamation points shouting out. Chances of the storm reaching us were 60-80%, so ahead of time, Nathan Landry, who’s hosting me in New Iberia, invited me to stay till the advisories evaporate. Well, by yesterday afternoon, the sky looked promising enough, so I walked to Jeanerette, to which I arrived after dark. After work, Nathan swung by and picked me up, bringing me back to his home in NI. Today, amidst stronger warnings, NOTHING came to pass. Sadly, Kansas, Kentucky and Indiana were pounded by tornadoes . My blessings to them all.
Though the forecast continues to call for potential thunderstorms and Friday and Saturday, I’m ready to leave tomorrow, but without a sure morning ride back to Jeanerette (Nate will be unavailable), I’m unsure if I’ll be able to make it to Franklin on foot tomorrow or not.
Over the course of the next 120 miles between Jeanerette and New Orleans, I haven’t a single invitation secured, but won’t be the slightest bit surprised if I still end up receiving invitations on more of these nights than not– that’s how great the people have been to me– especially true here in southern Louisiana.
While it’s certainly true that I first prefer to begin any given day’s miles with the security of knowing just where (with whom) I’ll be ending up at the end of the day, many times I have also simply just had to walk on into whatever scenario(s) will unfold. Inevitably, I’ll be meeting some helpful people on the road ahead of me. I’ll also continue to contact any B & B’s, Chambers of Commerce, Churches, and I’m about to attempt to contact The Lions and/or Kiwanis as well. I know very little about them, and am interested in learning more. Perhaps this will come as a result of being hosted by any of them…(?)
I’m excited to learn what/whom the path ahead will bring!!

Today’s 20km brought me from New Iberia, Queen of the Bayou Teche, to Jeanerette, Sugar City. I’m loving the walk down Louisiana’s Old Spanish Trail (Hwy 182). Not only is it peaceful, pretty, with light traffic and a wide shoulder, many of the people I’m meeting here continue to be some of the most very hospitable ever! Go Louisiana!!!

Today’s walk was simply an afternoon walk, and though the weather was absolutely ideal for walking (sunny, 79 F, breeze), I had a pretty uncomfortable stomach ache upon setting out for the day. I’ve been pretty in tune with my body, and when I first wondered if I should be walking today or not, my body assured me that walking was definitely going to be better for me than not walking today, despite the fact that I was going to have to walk with discomfort.
I had faith that the walking would help, and though some pain had to be endured first, walking ultimately DID help.
As the mind-body connection is a VERY real thing, and with the way I live nowadays, headaches and stomach aches are very rare for me, I had to dissect what was going on and why I wasn’t feeling as well as I should. I narrowed it down to a couple of things: 1) some subpar white bread appetizer I’d had at a restaurant the night before, which didn’t “feel” right as I was eating it, but I’d mindlessly continued anyway, and 2) I’ve overloaded myself with stuff on my Chariot cart. I resolved to discard some empty containers I’m no longer using, mail a few items home, and figure out some other efficient ways to trim my load. I made it over 2,200 miles to El Paso with just the backpack, and especially since I have over twice the space now, I need to stop finding clever ways to “push” the load limit, and keep adding more “stuff.”
Funny how narrowing down the issues within can help to evaporate headaches, stomach aches, and other general aches, pains, and weaknesses…
I immediately began feeling better, and especially with the assistance of some energizing music through the rest of the miles, my body ended the 20k leap year day feeling quite a bit better and stronger than when it started.

16.5 miles of walking yesterday brought me from Lafayette, across Broussard, and past Cade. I’ll probably arrive to New Iberia tomorrow, yet may not make much progress this week, amidst warning of severe thunderstorms between tomorrow and Saturday. The clouds were moving in yesterday evening, and as the daylight was fading away, I saw long, sub-sandwich-style bands of clouds stretching across the sky. Though most of the stretched-out cloud bands appeared similar, a closer look revealed each to be quite unique. A single band of cloud would not have made for much of a sight; however, united as they were, their sky-covering presence was breathtaking. Not only did the amazement of this incredible sky show immediately join my soul’s wisdom of the greater definition of “beauty,” the clouds inspired me to ponder their spiritual connection with humans… We humans all have our similarities, yet we are all unique– and the more we can cooperate with each other, work together, and peacefully coexist, the more beautiful we all become, and the more we inspire the world around us ~ THANK YOU, LOUISIANA SKY! ♥

Over 125 miles of walking in Louisiana, and for over 99% of these miles, my stuff has been carried forward for me by fantastic people here. I pushed my Chariot full of stuff across the border as far as the Louisiana Visitors’ Center, and since then, I extend enormous THANK YOU wishes to Indica Healthyocean, Jennifer L Blackwelder, Jahshwa Terziu, Laura Landry, Jonathan M Landry, Cherri Foytlin, Danielle Fusilier, Sam Culliton and Annie Culliton for your AWESOME assistance across Acadiana!!

…Of course, if I were to list here all of the people who’ve been of tremendous assistance to me across the miles, I could continue writing well into the wee hours of the morning and still be nowhere close to finishing. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!