LAKE CLAIBORNE STATE PARK - DAY TWO

It rained last night but this morning the sun is trying to come out.  Took a walk around our section (Camping Area One) of the park this morning and I really like site 55.   There are no sites on the back end and a street separates the other sides of this site, so it is very private.  This campground has 87 sites.

It is next to the boat launch which would be easy access for Xi Shi to walk down the ramp and wade in the water. 

The area has a park bench, small pier, telescope for overlooking the lake, and a fish cleaning room.

I was pleased to find that this park has a sandy beach which is located in the day use area at the other end of the park from where I am.  I'll ride by it tomorrow on my way out.  I'll also check out Camping Area One as it appears - by looking at the map - that it provides more space between sites but I can't tell if it is near the lake.

According to their website, the freshwater lake was lavishly stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, channel catfish, black crappie, striped bass, chain pickerel, bream, and white perch.  Each year Lake Claiborne State Park attracts more than 55,000 visitors, most within a 50-mile radius.

She rode down a steep decline in her motor chair to go fishing.

Nice pontoon boat.

Peace Rock

We're leaving in the morning.

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LAKE CLAIBORNE STATE PARK - HOMER, LA

Before leaving the Lake D'Arbonne park we took one last walk to what I think is the best site.  Site #24 has a deck and is near another pier and has lots of privacy.

Site 24

We left Lake D'Arbonne around 11:00 this morning and rode around the park to see where everything was located.  Found the Visitor's Center, swimming pool and tennis courts which were under construction and many workers were giving me the look, "You can't come in here."  

Visitor's Center which was closed.

I quickly left and headed to our next park.  It soon started to rain and I don't like driving in rain, especially on these hilly, winding roads. 

LAKE CLAIBORNE STATE PARK

Arrived at Lake Claiborne State Park around noon.  I had reserved a site for one night near the lake but paid for 2 because I'm hoping the rain will end in a day or so.  All of the good sites are taken but I am still near the water views.  This campground has a lot of people with fishing boats and there are many children here so I guess school is out for a holiday.

The sites are too close together for my liking.  However, the area near the lake is very nice.  There is a little dock right down below our campsite.

There are several places with park benches near the water's edge.

Site 70 is right above that little pier.  It's my favorite.

When it stops raining I'm hoping to get better photos of the park.

 I got online this evening to check out a couple of parks on my agenda and noticed that some are almost completely booked so I got a little worried.  It took awhile to rework my itinerary to match up with what is available but I did it.  So now I have reserved sites - 2 nights each - for the rest of my trip.   It appears that the next 8 state parks are utilized a lot more than the ones I have been to thus far.  Perhaps it's because they are nicer.  We shall see.

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You're so sweet I can hardly bear it.

I have been buying Cross Stitcher magazine for a little while now, and received a subscription for Christmas. In my opinion it really is the best magazine out there for cross stitching and I always find lots of inspiration. Recently I fancied making something quick and I had some brown and black thread and rustic aida going spare so I decided to make the Penelope Waits chart from issue 248. I'm sure you will agree it is adorable! 

It was really easy to stitch up and I completed it over a couple of evenings. I decided not to fill the bear in as 1) I didn't have enough brown thread and 2) I think it looks quite nice as it is. Plus I had another project I was dying to start!

Once the stitching was finished I ironed the reverse to smooth out the ridges from the embroidery hoop and backed the fabric onto some card and framed it (the frame was from Ikea and dead cheap!) It now takes pride of place in our bedroom and I love it.

Penelope's shop has some other designs as well as the ones that have appeared in Cross Stitcher so if you're a fan of modern cross stitch patterns be sure to have a look. I think the bear design I made would make a lovely gift for someone, especially in a frame.

I'd love to have a go at designing patterns! Anyone else cross stitched their own design? What do you think of Penelope's patterns?

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#marchphotoaday - Instagram (days 9 - 16).

Day 9 "red" / Day 10 "loud" / Day 11 "someone you talked to today" / Day 12 "fork"

Day 13 "a sign" / Day 14 "clouds" (picture taken of this) / Day 15 "car" / Day 16 "sunglasses"

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LAKE D'ARBONNE STATE PARK - FARMERVILLE, LA

Left Chemin-A-Haut park this morning at 9:30 and rode around to the area that I had not seen.  Finally found the bayou.  This is the fence that I saw yesterday and that's the bayou down below to the right.

Bayou Bartholemew

Nice walking trail in the playground area along the bayou.

Visitor's Center with pool off to the right.  Both closed.

Amphitheatre

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Left the park and crossed the border into Arkansas.  I was very near where my dad's parents used to live.  Decided not to stay in Arkansas and headed on to our next state park in Louisiana.

LAKE D'ARBONNE STATE PARK


Arrived at the park around noon and walked to the office.  The ranger informed me that the park was closed due to repair of the bath house.  We chatted for a minute and he asked me where I was from.  I told him Houma and he said he once lived in Breau Bridge.  Cool.


He then asked me how many nights I planned on staying.  I said only one and he said OK... however, he would not be able to charge me for the site.  WOW... that's nice. 


He said I could have my pick of any site that wasn't blocked off.  There are a couple of campers in the park but not sure if they are workers or what.  I thanked him and rode to the lake. 


The site I wanted was available and it is right next to the Camp Host, which I like.  I backed in and hooked up electric but not water.  It's just not worth the hassle for one night.  I did notice this site has sewer but my tanks are empty so don't need it either.  Sure wish the campground was open and that this were one of my longer stays as it is really nice and offers water views for many RV sites.

I'm parked near the boat dock and fishing pier.

I took Xi Shi for a walk and it really is pretty here.  There are paved walking trails everywhere.  There are also Nature Trails, a pavillion, a pool, tennis courts, mini golf course, Visitor's Center, laundromat, and playground.   The campground has 65 paved sites with about 10 having water views.

The view from my bedroom window.

View from another bedroom window.

View of the Camp Host from my living room window.

Paved walking trail.

Lots of space between sites.

Down to the boat dock.

Walking into the lake.

Small boat dock.

Long fishing pier.

Nature Trail near our campsite.

Small fishing pier/boat dock.

Although I'd love to come back here, the chances of that are slim.  However, I was told by several people that I have yet to see their best state park and is 3 parks away on my agenda.  I'm looking forward to that.

So I placed our Peace Rock and we'll be leaving in the morning.

I have great Verizon Air Card reception for the first time in a long time.

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