While crossing the high Grand Ecore bridge over the Red River, Teri snaps a photo of the steep cliff. Ecore is the French word for “bluff”.Sunset photo of Teri’s TomsMaHauL motorhome in our Grand Ecore RV spotalong Bayou Pierre
The Grand Ecore RV Park is on Bayou Pierre, just minutes from Natchitoches. This gated RV park was built by the Red River Waterways Commission, and is a very pleasant place to stay. It is extremely well maintained with full hook-ups and plenty of room between RV sites.
There is so much history that can be covered, in and around the Natchitoches area. The French, Spanish, Native Americans, African Americans & many others (including pirates), all play their parts in the rich history of this region. For this trip, we decided to investigate some of the history of Grand Ecore. Ecore is a French word meaning “bluff”. Our oldest son, Justin, met up with the TomsMaHauL.com crew in Natchitoches, to spend a few hours in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History museum. You may have seen many of the top movies that were based on, or inspired by, stories from this region? Many festivals and events are held each month in Natchitoches and the surrounding area. Here’s a link that might help to get you started on your own exploration of this area HERE
The Grand Ecore Visitor Center
The Grand Ecore Visitor Center is a great stopping point when in this region. You’ll see information of this region from pre-historic times, the Native American tribes, the French & Spanish explorations, Louisiana Purchase, U.S. Civil War and more! Visit the Grand Ecore Visitor Center website HERE
Tom with the fully-intact skull of a Basilosaurus (a pre-historic whale) that was recovered from the Red River. This skull is believed to be around 10 million years old & on display in the Grand Ecore Visitor Center.Tom stops to learn more about No Mans Land, which was a lawless region that seemed to be a “Neutral Ground” between the Spanish Texas Armies & United States’ newly acquired Louisiana Purchase (purchased from the French). Many people from our state are unaware of this part of Louisiana history. Investigate more for yourself HEREPhoto of Tom looking over the Red River from the deck at Grand Ecore Visitor Center
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum
Teri gets a photo of some of the TomsMaHauL.com exploration team. To the left is our son, Justin, who designed the TomsMaHauL.com website, along with Tom (on the right) at the entry to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches.
We were excited when the 2019 LSU Tigers undefeated football season capped off with the National Championship, and the season included many awards (Heisman Trophy, Coach of the Year & more). Within months, we expect to see more on this amazing LSU Football season in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum. This museum covers the proud history of various Louisiana sports, from the high school & college level, as well as professional sports.
Not even Tom could block the shot from LSU basketball legend “Pistol Pete” Maravich. When Tom was a child, he remembers watching Pistol Pete play for LSU on TV. Maravich was known as the only player with sloppy socks, and Tom says that, as a kid, he thought that was “cool”. Pete left LSU & had a successful career in the NBA.We were amazed by the many displays in this huge building, that was laid out and decorated in a very interesting fashion. Tom stops at display with a HUGE rifle, known as the “punt gun”. Tom said that “it would take a helluva strong man, or an onery Cajun granny” to fire this gun. Justin suggested that maybe more than one might have held it for the firing. Here’s more on the purpose of the punt gun….Justin captured a photo, while looking down from the second floor, when Tom was below at the Hell’s Angel – modified 1956 Ford Thunderbird that set land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The car & it’s driver were legends around New Orleans in the 50s & 60s, and along with setting records, the car was featured in Hot Rod Magazine.
When visiting the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, expect to be there a couple of hours (at least). There is so much to see, and so much to learn!
Teri stopped to take this photo during an early morning walk around Grand Ecore RV Park.Tom is always on the look-out for old ’51 Chevy trucks, like we had when we dated in high school. During an afternoon walk around Grand Ecore RV Park, we spotted this old (lowered) Chevy truck in one of the RV spots. The truck is very similar to Tom’s high school truck. We always go to Bermuda, when we get down to this part of Louisiana, to enjoy a meal at the Cane River Commissary. Very popular place, because the atmosphere, food & service are great.Among the RV spots that we’ve chosen at Grand Ecore RV Park, is spot #33. Nice, LARGE & level pull-through spot, with a good view. All of the RV spots here are level with full hookups. At this posting, the park was working on a new pool, splash pad, paved hiking trail, huge community fire pit area & more. This park was a joint effort of the Red River Waterways Commission & the Army Corp of Engineers.
__________________ We welcome you to check out some of the places that we enjoy exploring around the ArkLaTex region and… beyond the outer parameter. Visit our Journal page HERE __________________ You’re Trippin’ With Tom & Teri. Our location is a space in time. No matter where you go, there you are, and at the moment, We Are HERE. __________________ Tom shares some of our motorhome preparation, maintenance & projects…along with expecting the unexpected. Visit our Projects page HERE __________________ Also, visit us at TomsMaHauL on Facebook HERE __________________ We’re checking our email inbox, and checkin’ it twice. We’ll check it again, to see if you checked in. Email: info@TomsMaHauL.com
