Lake Charles Trip, Day 3, June 24, 2026 – Ruston to Opelousas

 Lake Charles Trip, Day 3, June 24, 2026 – Ruston to Opelousas

My alarm went off at 0500, set there so I could get an early start. I looked out the window after morning ablutions and realized that the loud noises I’d heard overnight weren’t traffic. It had rained and it was still raining. The room and shower were very satisfactory, and the waffle iron was hot and ready at breakfast.

I’m loaded up and on the road at 0636, heading south on US-167. It’s a 4-lane hiway, mostly divided. Driving in rain is a both-hands task, so no tidbits until I neared Jonesboro-Hodge. Hodge has a Smurfit-Westlock plant that provides a plume of either smoke or steam. Bayou Butts and Booze is across the street. A bit further down the road, Weyerhauser has a large limber mill at Milam. I cross the Dudgedemona River near Winnfield, home of the Chady Shack (seafood & burgers). A sign reads “Oppose Property Taxes. Vote No.” In Dry Prong (yes, that’s the name of a town) a Dairy Made ice cream place advertises pit BBQ.

A few eroded spots along the right-of-way show an orangish-yellow soil, probably clayish. Choctaw Pines Casino, off a side road to the west, is probably a ral one, as compared to the ubiquitous gas station “casinos.” I merge onto US-71, a limited access hiway heading to Alexandria. The Louisiana chapter of the World Pentecostal Church has a large campground at Tioga.

I cross the Red River, running high and not very red. I merge onto I-49 across a wide flood plain; it eventually reaches higher ground near Woodworth. Traffic is light and moves quickly; most drives seem satisfied with the 75mph speed limit. I see two busses heading north, the fist bearing the logo of the Ragin’ Cajuns, the second that of LSU’s Tigers – could there be some summer event that would draw both schools? The rest of the run to Opelousas is uneventful; the scenery consists of trees, standing water, and egrets.

I reach Opelousas at 0930, park across the street from the courthouse, and go upstairs to research property & marriage records on the Truman, Hadden and Daly families here. I will address this in my own records. The place to research other information is closed – the man in charge is on vacation. After finding all I could, I look for a restaurant featuring gumbo but find the local museum instead. Then I find a local Tourist Info center and get directions to my HIE.

 I check into my hotel early, message my local contact, and head for Myrtle Grove Cemetery.

The cemetery was originally owned by the parish but was later given to the city. The city doesn’t maintain it well; I had to wade through foot-tall grass to navigate between family tombstones. The Daly family is well-represented here, the Haddens less so. The only readable Truman stone is that of 1-day-old David. Another unreadable child’s stone lies half-buried nearby. I believe these are the 2 male children lost in early childhood, as referenced in a letter I scanned last summer. Pictures from the cemetery:

Interestingly, Opelousas has both a Truman and a Daly Street; any classic residences in this area are long gone; it’s now a low income part of town.

 

I became overheated rather quickly out there, so returned to the HIE to cool off at write this.

For the day: 176.5 miles, for the trip 680.7

Tomorrow: Lake Charles via Abbeville and Gueydan.