Louisiana
January 2014
Our plan was to hike in Louisiana in the same day as our Mississippi hike. Our struggles with a broken frame had us leaving Mississippi later than expected and we would not make it to our destination with enough time to hike. We had to be flexible and find an alternative hiking spot. A quick look at the map revealed that Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge was close and from past experiences, we knew that National Wildlife Refuges usually have wheel friendly trails. We found the refuge easy enough, but we couldn't find a visitor center, trailhead or even a refuge map, just a bunch of meandering dirt roads. Very frustrating.
After wasting an hour we didn't have, the map was consulted for a second time. The next promising location was Locust Grove State Historic Site. We arrived to find a gate preventing entry to the site with a sign with a number to call for access. I proceeded to call only top find out that you needed to request permission to visit at least two weeks in advance. Strike two in Louisiana.
It was back to the map as the sun was setting. Audubon State Historic Site was our last chance and I really didn't want to have to return to Louisiana at a later date. We arrived to find the park only open for another 30 minutes. We paid our entry fee and the two ladies at the office acted like we were crazy for paying for such a short visit. I explained that we just wanted to hike a quick trail and be on our way. One of the ladies responded by telling us the trails were already closed for the day, but the plantation grounds were still open. She went on to say that the grounds weren't wheelchair accessible. I simply asked which way to the grounds? As she escorted us, she kept saying that we couldn't go with the wheelchair and guided us to the garden which had a short brick path.
I had set a goal to hike at least one mile in every state and this brick path was less than 50 feet long. We now had 20 minutes left before the park closed. I pushed Kellisa out of the garden and called for Laurel to follow. We left the lady shaking her head as we ventured around the grounds. It was a shame we were in such a rush because the grounds and surrounding forest were beautiful. It would have been nice to fully explore the park. In the end, we had some fun and just barely hiked one mile.
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