Day 7: Fort Worth, TX to Natchitoches, LA – 366.6 miles*
Up at 5 and out of the hotel at 5:30 so we could beat the big city traffic. And we did for the most part, traffic was dense at several spots on the upper loop around Dallas/Fort Worth, but it never slowed down from 75 MPH, even through the narrowed lanes of the construction near the airport. Tiring of the standard “free” hotel breakfasts we sought out a DD in Garland for our morning repast.
We are back in one of favorite states to visit, Louisiana, especially for eating. Today’s lunch was barbeque at a spot our GPS led us to south of the town of Mansfield. As we cruised down the street it didn’t look like anywhere a restaurant would be and it really wasn’t a restaurant, but just a take-out joint. It reminded me of the place that Frank Underwood went to in the TV show House of Cards, one man, his smoker and a cleaver. We both got a sliced pork sandwich and ate it on a picnic table outside and watched a steady stream of cars pull in, get a bag of BBQ and drive off.
Tonight we went down to the historic Front St of Natchitoches and ate at the bar of Mama’s Oyster House. Donna got some of that gumbo she has been craving since we were in Baton Rogue two years ago. Then we shared fried crawfish, peel ‘n’ eat shrimp and spinach & artichoke dip appetizers. The dip had a neat twist, instead of tortilla chips to scoop with, you got battered and deep fried bowtie pasta.
*Pre-drive Google Maps estimate: 290 (-76.6) – Total miles so far: 1866.2
Miata Top Transitions since 10/24/08: 1351