I had referenced Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” in my story about the Gulf Coast, Trip 5. It was even more on my mind at the beginning of this trip into the Big Thicket and Piney Woods of Texas. In that part of Texas there are a LOT of Confederate flags, monster trucks, and burly folk with pale skin and long stringy hair (just like mine was, once upon a time!).
Notwithstanding the stereotypes, which did indeed have some basis in reality, it was another wonderful trip, with every single person I met greeting me with hospitality and good will, though I might have helped my case by keeping my mouth shut about MAGA hats and the rebel flags.
Let’s get underway…
1,254 more miles and another 26 counties. Map after the Big Thicket looks like this:
