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A week ago my wife and I took a wonderful trip into eastern Texas and explored the area around Lufkin and Diboll. We were truly surprised by how many interesting attractions there were in this part of the country. Being a true rail buff I had to work in seeing a train on our visit if I could and I was surprised to discover that in the area of Lufkin there were a total of three preserved steam locomotives on display at various sites.   We had just finished having a wonderful afternoon at the Naranjo Museum of Natural History and there was just enough time to sneak in a visit to one of these exhibits. The closest one to us was Locomotive 13 at The History Center in nearby Diboll.  The museum itself is a wonderful collection of historical items pertaining to the once vast lumber industry in the area. There is a similar museum here in Louisiana called the Southern Forest Heritage Museum which is an actual old lumber mill complex including old railroad equipment. This museum m...

Thornhill House From the historic marker: Built circ 1856 by Aaron B. Levisee for wife Persia Willis. Named for her family home in Alabama. Surrounding estate was subdivided in 1874 giving name to neighborhood and street. Later home to Foster and Harvey families. Builder Levisee was noted jurist, author and statesman. Bliss-Hoyer House From the historic marker: Built 1912 for planter Abel Bliss and wife Nettie. Later home to the Hoyer family. Ewald Max Hoyer was first Mayor of Bossier City (1907) but resided in Shreveport afterward. Hugo Hoyer established Centuries Memorial Park. The house was later the residence of livestock breeder John Kennedy. Check Out: Louisiana Through My Lens - C&C Mercantile in Shreveport Abandoned Louisiana - A Warm Spring Day at Texas Avenue in Shreveport Louisiana Through My Lens - The Chicago Theatre in Downtown Shreveport Louisiana Through My Lens - A Walk Through Shreveport Riverview Park Louisiana Through My Lens - Impressions Of Downtown Shreveport

  From the Historical Marker: Historic Cinclare Plantation - Formerly Marengo Plantation, Cinclare was purchased by James H. Laws in1878. With its own currency, work animals, plantation store, staff housing, and railroad, it was a self sufficient sugar mill "company town." Map: Photos: Check Out: Louisiana Through My Lens - The Forgotten Town of Sunrise Louisiana Through My Lens - Poplar Grove Plantation in Port Allen Louisiana Through My Lens - A Canadian National Freight Train Along The Mississippi River Beautiful Louisiana - A Rainy Day Walk Through Downtown Baton Rouge Beautiful ( ... and Historical) Louisiana - The Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge Louisiana Through My Lens - Why is there a Cannon embedded in a Baton Rouge Sidewalk? The Best Places To Visit in Louisiana 2023 Abandoned Louisiana - A Long Closed and Forgotten Construction Company near Baton Rouge Louisiana Through My Lens - John James Audubon Bridge Over The Mississippi River Between New Roads and St Franci...

Psalm 51:1–3 (ESV) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Matthew 12:43–45 (ESV):  43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none.  44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.  45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” Journey Church 2900 Donahue Ferry Rd, Pineville, LA 71360 Phone  (318) 640-1273 Website  https://jcpineville.com/ Check Out: Photo of the Day - A Stressless Life in Central Louisiana Pastor Steven Roberts - ...

Last Wednesday I was reminded of just how beautiful and dangerous the wild areas of Louisiana can be.  I personally think that the area around Clear Lake near Mansfield is one of the more beautiful areas of central Louisiana and I was excited to have an opportunity to pass through and take some photographs. I had some business at the nearby International Paper plant and I decided that I would stop by the lake on my way back. When I had traveled about half a mile past the lake I spotted a large cat about fifty yards ahead to my left. At first I thought it was a bobcat but as I approached it was full size cougar (aka Mountain Lion)(around here the locals call them panthers) that emerged from the tall grass. The big cat gracefully ran across the highway before it leaped (like a lion in a National Geographic special) into the brush on the right hand side of the road. It was honestly one of the most amazing things that I ever saw. However, like most people who see Bigfoot or a Los Angel...