FRANKLINTON

Friis’s 4Runner Run to Franklinton Fun A Quick Covid Respite

What a year it has been. Late 2019 had hopes and plans chock full of travel and adventure. But alas, the universe had other plans. And after months of being cooped up inside quarantining, in true Friis form, Ms. Marlene got to planning an outing. This was no small feat given the task of avoiding contact with others, social distancing and mask wearing. So this quick trip to Franklinton for 24 hours of fresh air, nature and laughing while floating down the Bogue Chitto checked all the boxes. Having all been safely following the quarantine guidelines and free from illness, we got the boys, loaded up the 4Runner and hit the road for much needed escape. We arrived in the evening after a scenic fride through rural Louisiana to a serendipitous upgrade to the largest cabin available. We settled in and headed for a quick dip in the river before dinner. And typical of an outing with Marlene, the resulting hours were nature, adventure, laughter, and yes education filled. We sat and watched the boys throw the football in the river while we chatted and sifted through beautiful river rocks on the bank with our feet in the sand . As dusk approached, we packed up to go back to the cabin to cook dinner. On the walk to the car I picked up a stalker. Out of nowhere a huge horsefly started to buzz around my head and persistently pursued me. For a second, I was flattered, it has been a long while, but I digress. This horsefly meant business. I started waving my arms and running to the truck. I am yelling “unlock the truck, unlock the truck”, leaving a trail of laughter behind me. I know I looked foolish. G and Kai could hardly walk for the crippling laughter at my expense. As the others loaded into the truck in tears, we headed back to the cabin. To everyone’s surprise, so did the horsefly. So this thing was HUGE, and as we drove, it would hit the windshield and all the windows, seemingly trying to get at us in the truck. It followed the truck back to the cabin. I sent my child ahead to unlock the door, since it was really me the fly was after. He ran screaming and unlocked it. We sprinted one by one into the cabin, waving and screaming. We were both hysterically laughing and traumatized. Where is the wine… I spent the duration of the evening learning all about horseflies, that they are attracted to motion (in other words do not wave your arms around) and dark colors (I live in black) and the complete horrifying manner which the fly planned on feasting on me as I drank a glass of wine on a lovely large screened in porch, surrounded by trees, all while the boys cooked us dinner. The next morning, I was pleasantly surprised to spy a woodpecker pecking away outside my window. I was fascinated as this was a first for me. We had breakfast, suited and packed up and headed to the river for our lazy cruise down the Bogue Chitto. A quick stop at the closest “five and dime” and we were ready. The float was amazing, peaceful and uneventful, just how I like it. There were no crowds, just us and nature. Just what the doctor ordered. On the way back to reality, Marlene stopped to take this picture. I never did ask her why. I guess I just understood. There was something beautiful about this road, this dirt road that seemed to go one forever, void of viruses, politics, social injustice, and all of the hecticness that it ironically was leading us back to. We would be there soon enough, so I guess it didn’t matter to me why she stopped, I just appreciated a few more moments there. And when I look at this picture, I realize there are many many roads that we travel in this life, and I am forever grateful for the road that lead me to Ms. Marlene Fris. I pray it is one that is never ending leading to a lifetime filled with adventures to come.

– BRIDGET BARTHELEMY, NEW ORLEANS