Page 97 - Louisiana Loop (manuscript Edition)

When it comes to kindness there is a special
kind of breed down in Louisiana it just
seems to exceed anything that’s up north
including Minnesota Nice or at least if we’re
going to start a north-south war that’s what
I’m going to say.

But seriously this gentleman came riding up
after riding around in the mud noticing my
tent and introduced himself just simply
coming up to see what I was doing and we
got to talking and he visited for a few
minutes then went back to his ride.
He said he was going home to get cleaned
up.

After a little bit I went back inside the tent
as I was getting cold and depressed because
the cold wind come up and this was
supposed to be sunny and warm weather.
So I decided after putting on my layers that I
would take a walk to try to generate some
heat in my legs in my chest while walking
along the shoreline beach combing. Besides
it beat sitting around in a tent moody.

As it turned out I noticed that the river had
risen maybe two or three more inches than
yesterday and that means that it already been
about 2 1/2 feet higher than what it
supposed to be maybe three.

So walking along the shoreline trying to get
warm and using my walking stick I noticed
a railroad spike that I tossed out to maybe
pick up later and I also found a tool box that
was full of water in kind of a green slimy
mess but I decide to toss it aside also and
come back for it soon as I finish my walk.
Heading southward I noticed where the bend in the river was which I wanted to scout out from the map I had in so I
was kind of pleased with myself and my walk as I turned around and headed back to camp.

I noticed there was the gentleman I had seen earlier standing on his four wheeler riding along coming down the road
from the levee and coming my way. As he was approaching me I was thinking to myself that I kind of wanted to ask him
if he could haul some water for me but it seem kind of rude and so I just waited till he pulled up and before I had a
chance to say anything he offered me a hot shower.

Of course I hesitated to be polite but a hot shower on this cold frozen day was right up my alley. I took him up on his
offer and asked him if I could charge my phone as well as fill my 2-3 gallon water jug’s which I normally would’ve had
to use a dolly I have for it in order to get it back to the kayak and I had no place to fill it up yet. He said Yes so this was
going to save me a lot of time and effort and so I was thrilled to get a hot shower on a day that had turned cold and
windy and while there was no rain the temperature was definitely dropping.

The kindness this man from living in Louisiana gave me was just enough to turn the day around and make sunshine seem
to come out in a frosty kind of weather. Entertaining strangers we are told in the good book is taking care of angels
unaware and certainly I am sure you may have done that. But being on the receiving end of that scripture from the bible
you could say I had angels taking care of me in Louisiana, River Angels that is.