Today was the day I left town with a few sad thoughts. Yesterday, wildfires sprung up in the greater area between LaGrange and Bastrop, but were being blown away from Sherwood Forest. The owners had to go ahead and close Sherwood Forest for everyone's safety. A greater loss than the evening of camaraderie for yesterday was that two of our own's house was destroyed and their animals died in the fire. More people lost their homes later in the day. I hope there is something I can do for them in the near future. I was afraid for Sherwood when I left there, hugging one of the thick wooden ceiling-supporting posts of the Jerusalem Pub as I was leaving, just in case, and I still am afraid for everyone's safety in any dry parts. I had thought about that with the constant reminders present in Sherwood and the simple mistakes with the potential to destroy. I've got friends from there who couldn't access certain roads home in the middle of this fire.

I had to make myself put the local situation on hold for the sake of my sanity. I'm trying to get away from Houston on this trip. I need time away from my routine to refresh myself and get a better perspective on things, like my daily life, what I do, and so on.

So, onward to Lake Catherine in AR I went. I felt much better than this weekend after getting a good night's sleep at home. A trucker driving an 18-wheeler passed me, and he was surprised to see a woman driving this Jeep! This was on I-10 just before I reached the Hwy 59 exit.

It was a much quieter drive, less traffic, and a lot greener in east Texas. I ran into a dealer of sorts selling several Wranglers on the side of the road southwest of Texarkana. Behind the line of Wranglers, I saw a trailer that was made for some trailer dealer in 1964, made just for kids to play in while their parents were making buying decisions.

Between Bear Creek and Lanier to the west of HWY 59 was a wildfire probably not more than 5 miles away! It seems like they're everywhere! Just inside the AR border was a rest stop with a nice visitor center with two ladies who said that the drought was affecting the far southwest corner of AR.

I finally got to Lake Catherine past 6 PM, after 9 relaxing hours on the road. Once I got onto 171, things got really interesting; 11 miles of slow, winding roads into the park, just packed with trees! I could live here!

There were really nice people like Winnie and Harold, park hosts who helped me find my spot after arriving too late for the office registration. I would have to register in the morning. I got settled in enough to go down to the boat dock area, and right on cue, these Mallard ducks showed up and settled very close by.

I walked around, finding the boat dock and a cabin ready for a visitor.

It was a beautiful evening, no clouds and cool compared to central Texas, the ducks quietly paddling by, ever so curious about me, a beautiful sunset. The air was very still and quiet. Peaceful. It felt like a close to the "escape from wildfire chaos of Texas" chapter of this journey.