Running Cross Country

One positive thing about being unemployed is that you are suddenly able to attend all of your kids' events!  This past Monday I was able to make the trip with Tricia to Natchitoches, Louisiana to watch Benjamin run in the State Cross Country Meet.  Natchitoches is the oldest town in Louisiana and was settled in 1714.  It is 144 miles away or 2 1/2 hours by car.  Tricia and I enjoyed the drive up I-49.  We live in very flat terrain and there are actually hills around Natchitoches.

The State Cross Country Meet is held on the pretty campus of Northwestern Louisiana University.  We watched Benjamin and his Hathaway teammates line up.  They are the team in blue in the center of the photo below.

On your mark, get set...

Go!  Ils Sont Partis!  That's French for "They're Off!"

In no time they were out of sight.  We hurried to the edge of the course so we could cheer them on as they ran by again.

Here they came running by.  Benjamin is in the far left of the photo with black socks and blue shirt.  He was looking tired, but determined as he ran past us.

The race follows a course that (true to its name) goes across the countryside before ending in the track stadium.  Benjamin and his teammates did a pretty good job.

It was nice getting a chance to see Benjamin run and cheer him on, showing him our support.  It was nice to also pick up a special treat on our way out of town that afternoon - Natchitoches Meat Pies!!  (Or perhaps in honor of the Cross Country Meet, you could call them 'Meet' Pies?) Ba dum bum...

Delicious!  We bought a box of 10 (6 spicy and 4 mild) and they were all gone the very next day!