Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Pat's Virtual Run Across America
- Blog
- North America
-
Location Date California 1503702000 Arizona 1500073200 New Mexico 1490914800 Texas 1486166400 Louisiana 
1463698800 Mississippi 1457740800 Alabama 1456012800 Florida 1453507200 -
Location Date Vinton 1463698800 Iowa 1463007600 Jennings 1461970800 Lafayette 1461625200 Grosse Tete 1460761200 Baton Rouge 1460156400 Walker 1459551600 Hammond
1458950400 Abita Springs 1458345600
Good Morning America, How are you? from Hammond, LA
Run Stats:
Day: 85
Miles Completed: 327.0
Miles to San Diego: 1773.0
Avg Miles/Day: 3.8
Marathons Completed: 12.5
Estimated Arrival Date in San Diego: 23 June 2017
Shoes: Skora Tempo/Fit
Playlist Favs: shuffle, Newsboys
Guest Runners: None
Bible Verse of the Day: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. - Rev 3:20 NIV
Run Reflections: When I finish my run later today, I will have reached the town of Hammond, LA. Forecast in Hammond today is "sunny with a high of 75" degrees (shout out to Reliant K and their song with that title). That's much different from the weather here in Panama City Beach where it is pouring down rain. It's supposed to let up later today but today's run will still be a wet one. I'm still virtually heading west on I-12 and have my sights set on Baton Rouge and crossing the Mississippi River in the near future. Today I'm going to share some things I learned about the city of Hammond and also some area running/race activities including the Crescent City Classic 10K run in New Orleans.
Hammond: Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish and is home to Southeastern Louisiana University. The city is named for Peter Hammond (1798–1870), a Swedish immigrant who first settled the area around 1818. Peter, a sailor, had been briefly imprisoned by the British at Dartmoor Prison during the Napoleonic Wars. He escaped during a prison riot, made his way back to sea, and later on arrived in New Orleans. Hammond used his savings to buy then-inexpensive land northwest of Lake Pontchartrain and started a plantation to cultivate trees, which he made into masts, charcoal, and other products for the maritime industry in New Orleans. His story reminded me a little of the beginning of Les Miserables. Peter Hammond's grave is near the center of town under the Hammond Oak, along with the graves of his wife Caroline, three of their eight children and a favorite slave boy. The Hammond Oak is a member tree of the Live Oak Society (didn't know that was a thing). I've included a picture. During the Civil War, the city was a shoe-making center for the Confederate Army.
In 1854, the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad (later the Illinois Central Railroad, and now the Canadian National Railway came through the area, launching the town's emergence as a commercial and transport center. The point where the railroad met the trail to Springfield was at first known as Hammond's Crossing. Hammond still has an Amtrak train station on the daily City of New Orleans route which runs between Chicago and New Orleans. The Illinois Central Railroad built the station in 1912 and I have included a picture. Reading this reminded me of song "City of New Orleans" that I first heard covered by Willie Nelson in the 80's so, thanks to wikipedia, I did a little research on the song and learned the following.
"City of New Orleans" is a folk song written by Steve Goodman (and first recorded for Goodman's self-titled 1971 album), describing a train ride from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad's City of New Orleans train in bittersweet and nostalgic terms. Goodman got the idea while traveling on the Illinois Central line for a visit to his wife's family. The song has been recorded by numerous artists both in the US and Europe. It first came to fame in the U.S. when played by legendary folk singer Arlo Guthrie. Here's a story on how this came about.
While at the Quiet Knight bar in Chicago, Goodman saw Arlo Guthrie, and asked to be allowed to play a song for him. Guthrie grudgingly agreed, on the condition that if Goodman would buy him a beer, Guthrie would listen to him play for as long as it took to drink the beer. Goodman played "City of New Orleans," which Guthrie liked enough that he asked to record it. The song was a hit for Guthrie on his 1972 album Hobo's Lullaby, reaching #4 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and #18 on the Hot 100 chart, and is now more closely associated with him, although Goodman continued to perform it until his death in 1984.
I hope you enjoyed this story. Wouldn't it be funny if Arlo was drinking an Abita beer while listening to this song for the first time?
If you are a fan of folk music, please consider checking out our good friend Gary Nichols at his web site: garynicholsmusic.com or his new release CD Winter Sky at: www.reverbnation.com. He's a great guy and a great musician and you won't be disappointed.
Local Running Clubs and Races: Switching subjects back to running, there are many different running clubs and events available throughout Louisiana. Local folks likely belong to, or follow, groups such as the Cajun Road Runners Club in Lafayette, LA; the Fifteenth Street Flyers in Covington, LA; or the New Orleans Track Club. Some of the upcoming road races in the Hammond/Abita Springs/New Orleans area include:
Easter Reflections: This is a little longer post today but I want to close by sharing some reflections on Easter. Today is Good Friday and on Sunday, Christians all over the world will celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. In reflecting on this this week, I want to share the lyrics from one of my favorite Easter hymns - Because He Lives by Bill Gaither:
God sent His son, they called him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
am empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Wherever you are today and whatever you might be facing, I hope you find encouragement from these words. This weekend is a great opportunity to take a step back, of further, toward our Heavenly Father by attending a local church service or viewing a service online. If you are interested in the online option, I recommend considering the North Point Community Church in Atlanta, GA led by Pastor Andy Stanley. Their services can be found at: northpointonline.tv
God Bless,
Pat
Run Stats:
Day: 85
Miles Completed: 327.0
Miles to San Diego: 1773.0
Avg Miles/Day: 3.8
Marathons Completed: 12.5
Estimated Arrival Date in San Diego: 23 June 2017
Shoes: Skora Tempo/Fit
Playlist Favs: shuffle, Newsboys
Guest Runners: None
Bible Verse of the Day: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. - Rev 3:20 NIV
Run Reflections: When I finish my run later today, I will have reached the town of Hammond, LA. Forecast in Hammond today is "sunny with a high of 75" degrees (shout out to Reliant K and their song with that title). That's much different from the weather here in Panama City Beach where it is pouring down rain. It's supposed to let up later today but today's run will still be a wet one. I'm still virtually heading west on I-12 and have my sights set on Baton Rouge and crossing the Mississippi River in the near future. Today I'm going to share some things I learned about the city of Hammond and also some area running/race activities including the Crescent City Classic 10K run in New Orleans.
Hammond: Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish and is home to Southeastern Louisiana University. The city is named for Peter Hammond (1798–1870), a Swedish immigrant who first settled the area around 1818. Peter, a sailor, had been briefly imprisoned by the British at Dartmoor Prison during the Napoleonic Wars. He escaped during a prison riot, made his way back to sea, and later on arrived in New Orleans. Hammond used his savings to buy then-inexpensive land northwest of Lake Pontchartrain and started a plantation to cultivate trees, which he made into masts, charcoal, and other products for the maritime industry in New Orleans. His story reminded me a little of the beginning of Les Miserables. Peter Hammond's grave is near the center of town under the Hammond Oak, along with the graves of his wife Caroline, three of their eight children and a favorite slave boy. The Hammond Oak is a member tree of the Live Oak Society (didn't know that was a thing). I've included a picture. During the Civil War, the city was a shoe-making center for the Confederate Army.
In 1854, the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad (later the Illinois Central Railroad, and now the Canadian National Railway came through the area, launching the town's emergence as a commercial and transport center. The point where the railroad met the trail to Springfield was at first known as Hammond's Crossing. Hammond still has an Amtrak train station on the daily City of New Orleans route which runs between Chicago and New Orleans. The Illinois Central Railroad built the station in 1912 and I have included a picture. Reading this reminded me of song "City of New Orleans" that I first heard covered by Willie Nelson in the 80's so, thanks to wikipedia, I did a little research on the song and learned the following.
"City of New Orleans" is a folk song written by Steve Goodman (and first recorded for Goodman's self-titled 1971 album), describing a train ride from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad's City of New Orleans train in bittersweet and nostalgic terms. Goodman got the idea while traveling on the Illinois Central line for a visit to his wife's family. The song has been recorded by numerous artists both in the US and Europe. It first came to fame in the U.S. when played by legendary folk singer Arlo Guthrie. Here's a story on how this came about.
While at the Quiet Knight bar in Chicago, Goodman saw Arlo Guthrie, and asked to be allowed to play a song for him. Guthrie grudgingly agreed, on the condition that if Goodman would buy him a beer, Guthrie would listen to him play for as long as it took to drink the beer. Goodman played "City of New Orleans," which Guthrie liked enough that he asked to record it. The song was a hit for Guthrie on his 1972 album Hobo's Lullaby, reaching #4 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and #18 on the Hot 100 chart, and is now more closely associated with him, although Goodman continued to perform it until his death in 1984.
I hope you enjoyed this story. Wouldn't it be funny if Arlo was drinking an Abita beer while listening to this song for the first time?
If you are a fan of folk music, please consider checking out our good friend Gary Nichols at his web site: garynicholsmusic.com or his new release CD Winter Sky at: www.reverbnation.com. He's a great guy and a great musician and you won't be disappointed.
Local Running Clubs and Races: Switching subjects back to running, there are many different running clubs and events available throughout Louisiana. Local folks likely belong to, or follow, groups such as the Cajun Road Runners Club in Lafayette, LA; the Fifteenth Street Flyers in Covington, LA; or the New Orleans Track Club. Some of the upcoming road races in the Hammond/Abita Springs/New Orleans area include:
- 26 March Crescent City Classic 10K, New Orleans
- 1 April Keep the Pace 5K, Baton Rouge, LA
- 2 April Franklin Parish GeauxFit Catfish Classic 5K, Winnsboro, LA
- 2 April Race to the lake 10K/5K, Metairie, LA
- 9 April Cypress Half Marathon, Benton, LA
- 9 April Mud Run in the Sun 5K, Jonesboro, LA
Easter Reflections: This is a little longer post today but I want to close by sharing some reflections on Easter. Today is Good Friday and on Sunday, Christians all over the world will celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. In reflecting on this this week, I want to share the lyrics from one of my favorite Easter hymns - Because He Lives by Bill Gaither:
God sent His son, they called him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
am empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Wherever you are today and whatever you might be facing, I hope you find encouragement from these words. This weekend is a great opportunity to take a step back, of further, toward our Heavenly Father by attending a local church service or viewing a service online. If you are interested in the online option, I recommend considering the North Point Community Church in Atlanta, GA led by Pastor Andy Stanley. Their services can be found at: northpointonline.tv
God Bless,
Pat
- comments
Jody Donovan He is risen indeed!!