4-12 and 4-13 Lake Bistineau State Park, La.

The best part of the travel day was a 35-mile stretch on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Over the years we have bicycled most of this road and driven the rest, a depression-era boondoggle road to nowhere. it makes for very enjoyable riding or driving. The historical markers make it a lesson in the history of trade and settlement along the Mississippi in the early 19th century. The rest of the drive was a straight shot on I-20, with no good alternative secondary roads, so it was an unusual Interstate trip for us.

We nabbed a waterfront campsite by the lake, which is really a beautiful complex of cypress swamps. Shortly after we set up camp, a yellow cocker spaniel came by. Turns out, a woman bought the dog in January "For six hundred dollars!" and took him camping first thing. He promptly ran away, and no one has been able to catch him since. He's been living at the campground, relying on the kindness of strangers. He's friendly, but won't let anyone, or any dog, get near. ironically, the dog's name is Buddy. it was fun to listen to the Rays game on the radio Monday night. Rays won a pitchers' duel.

Tuesday we took a short hike in the morning. Gracie likes a walk in the woods better than anything, and she thought this was the best hike ever. in the afternoon we launched the canoe and had a good paddle exploring the bayou. After the canoe trip, as we were walking up the dock, Gracie mistook a carpet of aquatic plants for dry land and jumped in.Turns out, she can swim. Once ashore, she ran around like it was just what she'd intended.

Rays game on the radio Tuesday night, but we got killed.

Hardly any other campers here, but they are expecting a big motorcycle rally this weekend after we're gone.

Looks like we'll have one more stop before reaching Melissa's home in Oklahoma. We're settling well into the routine of travel and camping. Gracie keeps us entertained. She thinks camping is great. Travel in the car, not so much.

Gracie wasn't through with her adventures for the day. At bedtime I took her out for a walk and she spotted an armadillo. She gave chase and the two animals were well matched for speed, with Gracie about 10' behind for a long way. Shortly after they disappeared in the dark, Gracie trotted back, very pleased with herself. i'm glad it was not a skunk.