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Caddo
Country
by - Dorothy Grant
If you have wondered just how this column was "birthed", the
following will explain (in journalistic terms) who, what,
where, why, when, how, (in no particular order) as learned
from the famous "Miss Selma" in journalism at good old Marshall
High School many years ago!
WHO: After living for several years on Taylor Island on Caddo,
and loving every minute, the editor at the newspaper asked
if I would write a column on what just exactly Caddo Lake
was all about. What was so mysterious and alluring about the
area? This writer agreed to try to explain it, and I'm not
sure this has been successful, but I have given it my best
shot. At that time my full time employment as a government
employee did not permit receiving pay for writing, speaking,
teaching, etc.
WHAT: So, I took on this "fun" job to share in writing this
column what I had learned and experienced since my youth on
Caddo Lake and the surrounding countryside. There is so much
to tell about this area, a topic is never far from my keyboard!
WHERE:
Caddo Country geographically includes the entire Cypress Valley
watershed that reaches to the northwest, past Lake o' the
Pines-Big Cypress, Little Cypress, Black Cypress, Haggerty
Creek, Karnack Creek and on and on. Any area where water travels
downstream through the tributaries to end up in Caddo Lake
and on into the mighty Mississippi via Red River is considered
part of Caddo Country, but we concentrate on the immediate
area. There is enough activity in this small area to interest
most locals.
WHY:
So many of the stories, yarns, and just plain lies about Caddo
Country are interesting and entertaining. Many stories will
best remain untold forever, but so much emphasis nowadays
is on nature and the environment, the wealth of data available
around Caddo could fill volumes. Where else in the world can
a person canoe through the cypress trees in complete solitude
and find beavers, herons, turtles, snakes and so many other
forms of wildlife?
WHEN: Most maps and brochures from the local Chambers of Commerce
feature photos of Caddo Lake for the beauty that is available
right now. The history of the area so well captured in Fred
Dahmer's "Caddo Was." is enlightening and factual. The "when"
for Caddo is any time you can take a few minutes away from
the hustle of everyday and spend a few quiet times fishing,
hunting, photographing, painting, boating, will be moments
well spent. There is something for everyone whenever time
permits a visit.
HOW:
This element for a writer is rather hard to define! It just
happens spontaneously when I sit down to the computer, the
creative "juices" flow, and something comes to mind that should
be shared. Might be interesting to some, and it is presumptuous
to think everyone will like it. Be that as it may, anything
about Caddo Lake is worthy to read about-it is a treasure,
the best-kept secret in Texas! This time of year is especially
beckoning to nature lovers, sportsmen, artists, birdwatchers,
and just about anyone that likes the outdoors.
If you're ever 'round the river, drop in!
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