Saturday, January 5, 2008 - Jena, LA
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I took a quick look around at their museum and grounds, did my laundry, dumped the waste tanks, took on fresh water, and left shortly after noon to continue on down the Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez, Mississippi where I plan to head west on US 84 to cross the Mississippi River, Louisiana, and half of Texas.
Fuel mileage: 13 miles per gallon
At Jena, Louisiana I gassed up before parking for the night at Wal-Mart. I wanted to see what effect the easy easy driving and the new catalytic converter had on my gas mileage. The effect was dramatic. Gas mileage went from my usual 8.5 to 9 miles per gallon to an amazing 13 miles per gallon on this first tank with the new catalytic converter. An easy 50 mph run with an easy breathing engine makes quite the combination. I never dreamed I'd see a 13 miles per gallon from this old puppy. These were exceptionally easy miles and I don't expect to average any where near 13 mpg but it looks like there's a good possibility of topping 10 mpg as an average. We'll take it.
Night Camp
Wal-Mart Parking Lot in Jena AL
Wal-Mart Supercenter in Jena, LA
Wal-Mart Supercenter Store #498, 3670 West Oak Street, Jena, LA 71342 - (318) 992-1351
Relive Your Traumas
I suppose you have to relive your traumas in a way that is somewhat controlled and contained in order to move on from them. Some things you can walk quickly away from and never look back and other things bid you look again and again until you see something of the truth of them. I believe you have to let yourself remember and relive, that you have to find a way to settle with your past because you and it are always going to occupy the same headspace - you cannot separate yourself from anything you have ever done or seen or thought. You have to be able to look at the elements of the past without flinching and I believe that sometimes takes a few kicks at the cat. Or it does for me, anyway. It doesn't change anything - but it makes it easier to be comfortable in my skin.
Living Art - Photography and Stories By Catherine Jamieson