Posts

Ghosts of the Rails: The Abandoned Relics at Ouachita Railroad in Arkansas

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey This past week I was granted special permission to photograph the Ouachita Railroad facilities in El Dorado, Arkansas . The Ouachita is a small railroad that switches cars from a chemical plant south of town and exchanges them with the Union Pacific . The railroad used to operate over former Rock Island Railroad trackage into northern Louisiana through the nearby town of Junction City. In fact, the facilities that the Ouachita now occupy once belonged to the Rock Island.

Why Del Taco Should Be Your Next Fast Food Fix: A Nostalgic Dive into Tacos and More!

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 Written By Ken Hulsey Have you ever felt like the universe is trying to send you a message? For me, it’s been all about Del Taco over the past three days. It all started when my wife was reminiscing about Taco Tuesdays, where you could snag three tasty tacos for just $1.49 (I still remember when it was only 99 cents!). Then, yesterday, I was listening to a radio station from Albuquerque, KDRF 103.3 eD FM, and I heard a commercial bragging about how Del Taco now has twenty items for under $2. Crazy, right?

From Vibrant Landscapes to Forgotten Ruins: A Photographic Journey Through Louisiana's Beauty and Decay

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 An old abandoned truck sits rusting away in the weeds in Ferriday. Photos and Story by Ken Hulsry Over the past few months, I have been taking a ton of photographs as I travel all over Louisiana. I have been wanting to share these images for some time, but I just couldn't make up my mind on just which ones I wanted to do individual posts about. As I perused all the images that I amassed, it became clear that it would be way to time consuming to share them this way. Instead, I took the time to weed through them and pick out the ones that really spoke to me and conveyed what I believe to be the essence of what summertime here in Louisiana really looks like.

Cold War Cinema: How ‘Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet’ Became a Unique Cultural Crossover

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Written By: Ken Hulsey The film “Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet” may be the most interesting science fiction film to be produced in the 1960s’. Although the film in itself is very well done and features some excellent special effects shots, it’s the film's origin and two different Americanized versions that may be of most interest to fans of this genre. You see, the film was not an American product, but a film made in the former Soviet Union. Although scenes that starred Basil Rathbone and Faith Domergue, filmed by Roger Corman, were inserted into the film for American viewers, the film is still basically “Planeta Bur” (Planet of Storms – 1962) in most respects. In this version, almost all Soviet references were removed from both the film and its credits, although it was hard not to notice the Russian insignias on all the spacecraft. American International must have been very nervous about releasing a Soviet sci-fi film during the middle of the “Cold War.”

Unraveling the Mystery of the Alligator Snapping Turtle: A Roadside Attraction Adventure

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Have you ever been leisurely driving down a remote highway when all of a sudden you spot something so unusual that you immediately stop and make a U-turn to try and figure out exactly what you thought you saw?

In the Footsteps of Steam Giants: Celebrating the Timeless Journey of Santa Fe Locomotive #3751

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 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey Back in 2012, the San Bernardino Railroad Days in San Bernardino, California, featured a true star of railroading: the ex-Santa Fe "Northern" locomotive #3751. The event attracted a lively crowd of railroad enthusiasts and photographers who eagerly lined the tracks in front of the beautifully preserved vintage passenger depot, all hoping to capture a glimpse of this remarkable piece of living history. As expected, this proud locomotive of the Santa Fe steamed down the Metrolink tracks from her home in Los Angeles, presenting an impressive sight for all to behold. 

From Gold Nuggets to Family Ties: The Endearing Charm of The Apple Dumpling Gang

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 Written by Ken Hulsey A couple of weeks back, I decided to start posting the trailers from some of my favorite movies. Being a child of the 70s, I naturally opted to start my new series in that decade. The first film that I went with was the 1976 action/comedy Silver Streak. Today I decided to feature The Apple Dumpling Gang from 1975, which holds the distinction of being the first film that I ever saw in a movie theater. 

Echoes of Transportation History: Unearthing the Forgotten Trolley Bus of Ford Park

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Last week, I posted a very popular article about the Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad 2-6-0 Steam Locomotive #10 at Ford Park in Shreveport. Thanks to Brad Driggers of the Abandoned Louisiana group on Facebook, I learned that old Number 10 isn't the only transportation-related relic residing there. Thanks to the directions provided by Brad, I was able to go on an expedition into the remote northwest section of the park where, deep in the tree line, sits the remains of an old Shreveport Railway Trolley Bus. At this time, the old trolley is barely visible, with only the tail end sticking out of the vines. Though I wanted to explore it more thoroughly, I could only manage to climb through the flora enough to access the rear window and stick my camera inside for a few photos. I also want to give a shout-out to Rick Lewis of Abandoned Louisiana for warning me that the area is home to several venomous snakes. Thanks to Rick's warning, I made a lot o...

Finding Freedom in the Sabbath: Practical Steps to Rest, Renew, and Reconnect with Jesus

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Photo By Ken Hulsey "Lighten Your Burdens: Practical Steps for Finding Rest in God" In this inspiring sermon, learn how to lighten your burdens through practical steps and spiritual insights. Discover the importance of rest and renewal, and how embracing God's teachings can radically change your life. Pastor James W. Greer breaks down the four key words that can transform your approach to handling life's challenges: Come, Rest, Learn, and Light. Join us as we explore how to find true rest in God and make your burdens easier to bear. Don't miss next week's sermon on the deeper meaning of the Sabbath and its blessings!

Strolling Through Serenity: Discovering the Hidden Beauty of Lecompte at Sunset

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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey One of the things that I really used to love about living in the small farming town of Lecompte was the ability to take quiet walks around town every Sunday evening. I rarely ever encountered a soul on these walks, and it provided me the opportunity to meditate and have a conversation with the Lord while enjoying the beauty of his creation.