On Dec. 2, 2000 I made the drive north on highway 51 from Hammond to the state line.
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I began the day after dropping off my son at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.
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The trip took me along the country road running parallel to the railroad.
It was easy to see the various industries in the parish as I passed the Natalbany lumber plant.
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As my drive continued I passed many different churches and their cemeteries of white crosses and silver painted above ground tombs.
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At Tickfaw I stopped to look up and down the tracks that parallel the roadway.
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Straight North - Straight South
A stop at the local Piggly-Wiggly to get a New Orlean's Big Shot Soda.
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The historical old buildings of Independence made me stop and take
a walk around.
The old train station is the police station now.
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Many of the old buildings have faced the tracks for more than 100 years.
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Independence is a great little town with lots
of history.
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On highway 51, you don't get in a hurry. I spent a long time following
a truck and trailer full of baled hay.
At Amite I stumbled across the Hotel Ponder from 1947. Now this is
a building I would have loved to go in.
Maybe someone will invite me back for a tour someday.
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The Ponder's wonderful trim work.
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I enjoyed the rounded corners. What it must have been like back in
1947 when this place opened up in Amite!
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The next stop quickly let me know that I was first in dairy country
and secondly I was in the hometown of Britney Spears.
Me.
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Being here meant I had to make a stop by Britney's High School. I had
to! It was after all, her 19th birthday today.
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Outside of Kentwood I came to the state line, turned around a headed
back.
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Right at the line a turn briefly off onto side road that followed the
31st parallel (state line).
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It was also time to see why this part of the parish as a Dairy Festival
around the Thanksgiving holidays.