Through a Glass Darkly for October 22, 2009

• By BOB ANDERSON
• Advocate Florida parishes bureau
• Published: Oct 22, 2009 - Page: 1D

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What started out to be a trip to the Angola Rodeo turned out to be a hike instead.

Though I’ve spent all but a couple of years of my life in Louisiana, I’ve never been to the prison rodeo, even if it has always sounded like great entertainment.

I wouldn’t have gotten around to trying to go this year if it hadn’t been for one of those non-natives who get us to do nearby things we’ve ignored.

My wife, Mary, who is from Oklahoma, put it on our to-do list, and we determined that a couple of friends from Thibodaux had also never gotten around to going.

Sunday morning Mary fixed us a scrumptious breakfast and we headed north with visions of clowns dancing in our heads.

My first hint that the day might not go as planned came when my friend Rodney Acosta asked me where I had purchased the tickets.

The thought that we couldn’t just drive up to the prison, pay our fee and walk in had never occurred to me.

“We’ll just get them at the gate,” I said confidently.

As traffic backed up in St. Francisville for the event, my confidence dwindled.

When we reached the turn off to the isolated prison, my confidence plummeted.

“Angola Rodeo tickets sold out,” the sign at the intersection read.

Luckily, I have a wife and friends who are good natured.

When I suggested that we take the road to Angola, but turn off for the Clark Creek Natural Area instead, they not only offered no recriminations for my lack of forethought, but seemed to think it was a good idea.