Day 28: Marshall,TX-Minden,LA 77 mi

Today was to turn out better than feared. The forecast was for thundershowers several times during the day, and as I write, there are claps of thunder and it is raining steadily. But I encountered only light rain shortly after noon and only got damp. Starting out we were directed onto a bucolic rural road for 15 mi. A fox crossed the road and I encountered a flock of guinea fowl pecking by the side of the road. That route ended in Jonesville at T.C.Lindsey and Company, a 150 y.o.family owned establishment and the quintessential 19th century mercantile. It has been used as a set in 7 movies including 'A Long Hot Summer' with Don Johnson, Sybil Shephard and Jason Robards. Soon we were heading east on Rt.80 which wove back and forth across I-20 for most of the rest of the day. We hit the Louisiana border at mi 23.5 and encountered the edge of urban traffic and stop lights at mi 35 that lead us through the heart of Shreveport and crossing the Red River into Bossier and not leaving the urban sprawl until mi 52. I think that will be our last major urban gaunlet. Our home tonight is in the Lakeview Methodist Church, appropriately named for the most picturest setting above an adjacent lake. This is the 12th time they have hosted Wheels and ladies of the church cooked Louisiana red beans and rice along with multiple home-made deserts. Again, unparalleled hospitality served up with a Louisana accent and embellished with Mardi Gras beads. We were all stuffed but the remaining deserts are left out to asuage any late night hunger pangs. It still is raining and we hope that the front might pass through by morning but only daylight will tell.