Saturday, Dec 5th Ville Platte to DeRidder, LA

Saturday was the second of three 70+ mile days in a row.  I left Ville Platte around 9:00 am with temps about 30 F, and a stiff north wind.  I don't think temps improved much through the day, given that when I got to DeRidder, LA my shampoo was frozen.  I pulled into the Pleasant Hill Park and met Pat, the manager.  Although she said they discount rooms for cyclists, I was feeling over budget and opted for the $5 tenting.  As Pat was showing me the fully stocked kitchen and adjoining dining area which they open exclusively for cyclists,  she said " it's just too cold to stay outside" (temps were in the 20s).  Though she wasn't the owner she said she was making an executive decision, and offered to let me put my sleeping bag on the dining room floor (in front of the cozy heater- see pic below).  I was in heaven!  A hot shower in a clean bathroom, a clean laundry area, a hot dinner (with cup of hot chocolate), and a logbook of cyclists comments over the last couple of years.  Pat's only requirement was that I sign the log book and have my picture taken.  She wouldn't let me take hers though as she didn't want to end up on the internet- again.