Part 2 - Alexandria, LA

After spending a couple of days with my family, we headed 4 hours east to spend Christmas with Chad's family in central Louisiana. Santa came a little early and brought me a gift certificate to Run Wild, a great local running and triathlon store in Alexandria. I lucked out and found some great deals on triathlon gear. I was able to get a Sugoi tri top and shorts for only $20 each - now that's a bargain. Granted, the shirt says "Groovy Girls Tri" all over it, but for that price I didn't really care what it said. I also got a swim cap and goggles and some cushioned Asics socks.

On Monday evening, we headed 45 minutes north to Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-uh-desh), LA. This is a really cute town - its big claim to fame is that Steel Magnolias was filmed here. Every Christmas season, they have a "lights festival." The town decorates the entire downtown area and all along the riverfront. Each Saturday in December they have a big fireworks show at the riverfront and boy is it crowded. People come from all over the state to the see the Natchitoches lights. We go there every year with Chad's family and I love it! Since we went on a Monday this year it wasn't very crowded at all. Chad's sister Payton and her husband Jay drove down from Shreveport to meet us for dinner and a stroll along the riverfront.

This picture doesn't really do the town any justice, but it is a picture of a decorated bridge. Each support piece of the bridge was also decorated and the lights were synchronized to music.

Chad's mom and dad, enjoying a funnel cake and hot chocolate.

Payton, Mrs. Suzy, and myself

Jay and Payton

Enjoying some hot chocolate - it was pretty cold that night!

Me and Chad