Week 6 - Ponchatoula
After getting snowed on last week in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Josh, Davis, and I quickly and unanimously agreed that heading south seemed like a good idea. With a cardinal direction in mind we tapped into our now ever-growing web of connections around the country to find a more specific destination and that is how we landed in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, for the week.
Ponchatoula is a small town of just under 8,000 residents that sits on what native Louisianians call the “North Shore” of the state. The town also holds claim to being the “Strawberry Capital of the World” and brings in roughly a million tourists each April for the annual strawberry festival. Pretty much what I’m telling you is if you want to hang out on the north shore and eat fresh fruit all day, but can’t afford a flight to Hawaii, then Ponchatoula is the place for you! (The food is better here too)
Speaking of food, it would be wrong for me not to mention our favorite local spot - Paul’s Diner. There was a stint during our week here where we visited Paul’s four times in three days - it was that good. Soon we knew Paul’s father, Paul’s daughter (who now runs the show), the specials menu rotation, and the work schedule of some of our favorite employees.
Tommy Tucker - brews the coffee and tea every day
Our favorite waitress Kiya
Good food and strawberries are certainly a perk, but ultimately not the reason we chose to spend a week in Ponchatoula. On August 29th of last year - the 16 year anniversary of Katrina - Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana as a category 4 storm (the second strongest storm on record to hit Louisiana only behind Katrina). Ida ripped straight through Ponchatoula as she moved North and by one local account, “left the town looking like a third world country”. Fifteen months later there is still plenty of work to be done as residents try to put all the pieces back together.
With work in high supply we laced up our boots and jumped into the rebuild effort. Throughout the week we had the opportunity to do finish carpentry, hang drywall, and rebuild a rotted out handrail. The work was particularly refreshing for me as I was working as a carpenter before jumping on the bus, and frankly I missed the process of building. Creating and fixing things well is an extremely gratifying practice and doing it alongside friends like Davis and Josh is a joy.
Per usual it is not just the work, but the people we work for, with, or meet along the way that make each stop memorable. Our point man in Ponchatoula is a man by the name of Chris Gideon. Chris is built like an Ox, quick witted, and a man of immense integrity and high moral character. He has deep roots in Ponchatoula: his father was the mayor that put Poncchoula on the map by setting up the strawberry festival that the town is now known for, his mother is still considered the matron of the town respected by all, and Chris himself has spent decades working for the city of Ponchoula police. Chris keeps extremely busy in the early days of his campaign to be elected as the next sheriff - a position he did not seek but eventually conceded in running for after a mountain of outside pressure from locals who are convinced he is the man for the job.
Chris and Laurie approve
The first place Chris sent us when we rolled into town was TJ’s house. TJ refers to Chris as “Pops” even though there is no blood relation, he is a disabled veteran now working as a police officer in Pochatoula, and his home experienced serious flooding during Ida despite not being in a flood zone. Without flood insurance TJ and his wife Yasmin were left on their own with the challenge of the costly rebuild to put their home back together. One of the final steps was to install base board and shoe molding which we knocked out for them just in time to host their extended family for thanksgiving. Yasmin and TJ’s kids impressed me a ton. After a long day at school they would come home to find everything in their home pushed off the walls and would joyfully jump in and help assisting us with measurements or caulking. Thanks to TJ, we got to experience amazing Louisiana cuisine as he served us his home cooked gumbo and red beans. In preporation for the explosion of flavor he served it saying, “here in Louisiana we like to taste our heart attacks”.
TJ and Yasmin
Tierney and Elaysia
Tierney giving Davis some help on the shoe molding
Every week we spend on the road has looked very different from the last, and we never have any idea what we are getting into when we look to the week ahead. There is one thing that has remained consistent and we have grown conditioned to expect it. No matter where we go, what we do, or who we meet - every stop is good. Good people, good work, good laughs with lasting memories, new friends, and new perspective. Moving West into Texas we are excited for all the unknown good that we know lies ahead.
