Day 25(2): Saline, LA to Jena, LA

Admin notes (skip the bold parts to go straight to today’s blog): For those who might be new to this blog, I am a preschool teacher riding my bicycle across America and blogging for young children as I go. The purpose of this ride is to raise money for Ryves Youth Center in Terre Haute, IN

If you'd like to donate to Ryves Youth Center in Terre Haute, which is the cause for which I've dedicated this ride, you can donate here (all donations go to Ryves Youth Center; I receive nothing): Ride Across America

For information about what Ryves Youth Center is and the different services they offer, click here: Ryves Youth Center - Catholic Charities Terre Haute - Terre Haute, IN

Today I made it to the town of Jena, LA (pronounced like the name Gina, not like the name Jenna like I mispronounced it earlier to someone). It’s been pretty hot, with a high temperature of 90 degrees! Thankfully I got to ride down a narrow state highway earlier that had shade trees on both sides—that really helped! Because it’s so hot I don’t have a lot of pictures for you—it’s hard to stop and get a lot of pictures when it’s this hot. 

I got some good help this morning. Later in the morning as I was talking to some men while eating breakfast at McDonald’s, they helped me with directions to Jena and also helped me learn the correct pronunciation of “Jena” (like Gina, not like Jenna). They told me about a weird spot where two roads meet where I would have to make a big long turn. Can you think of a time when you helped someone by telling them something they didn’t know before? That can be a good way to help.

I met another man in the parking lot (I forget his name for sure, but I think it might have been Tony) and he greeted me and I told him what I was doing, riding my bicycle across the country to raise money for Ryves Youth Center. He seemed interested and was very friendly. People here in Louisiana have been very friendly and helpful so far.

This picture was taken as I was coming into Jena. The Jena band of Choctaw Indians is here in Jena. The Indians were people who lived here i the land of the United States long before other people arrived, and the Choctaw tribe is one group out of many Indians. The Choctaw were originally from this part of the country (Mississippi, which is close to here, and also Louisiana). Zoom into the sign below. What letters do you see?

The word Choctaw starts with “Ch”, just like Cherry Chicken!

This is the highway I’ve been riding on. What numbers do you see? What number do you think it is (both of the digits together)? Try to guess and then ask a grown-up if you’re right.