I liked the name Screaming Monkey in this running event. They used to have 100 miles, but this year…read more2024, they have a 50 mile, 50k, and 25k. I think they have shorter distances too. When I registered online, I read the course description, I was like trails, okay, no Big deal, I've done trails before. That was basically famous last words, to be honest. These were single track trails with some parts of the course had a sudden steep drop on one side, so I had to balance myself to not fall over the edge. It was a challenge for sure. 85% of the course is windy single track trails. Sure it was beautiful and scenic, but single track trails that can leave you bewildered for days. You can also hear faint screaming monkeys nearby, since the course itself sits next to the Eddie D Jones Park in Keithville, Louisiana - a monkey sanctuary after they are retired from active animal testing. 3 ish laps for the 50 mile and 2 laps for the 50km race. I navigated 1 lap for the 25km or 15 miles but I took too long, so I settled for the half marathon (21k, 13.1 miles). There was a time limit of 14 hours for the entire event. I was disappointed but, in hindsight, it was probably better that I did, since I had a 50 mile race the next weekend and I wanted to be more or less fresh for that. Either way, I picked up my 1st round half marathon for Louisiana for my 50 state quest. Had I finished the 50km event, it would have been my 2nd round Louisiana marathon/ultra. Oh well, it is what it is. Next time, I get to travel back to Louisiana sometime. Not sure when though, but it would be great to return. The overall experience here at the 2024 Screaming Monkey ultra distance endurance event was bittersweet, but knowing that I came here and accomplished something is good. Race morning came at 6:30am after arriving at the Eddie D Jones Park in Keithville, after being dropped off by an Uber. After picking up my packet and pinned my race bib to my person, I waited around for the start, not realizing that I didn't eat breakfast I purchased nor that I didn't fill up my cup with water before starting the race. The end result was me struggling for the first 5 miles before arriving at the first aid station. As I rehydrated myself there, I talked to the guy manning the aid station and he basically told me not to quit, since finishing a 10k wasn't the way to go. So, I kept going to at least finish the half marathon for my 50 states half marathon quest. There was a lot of ups and downs. More ups, inclines, flat areas than downs, but I covered one loop and it was good. Once I finished one lap, I looked at the time and knew I couldn't make the 2nd lap in time, so I bagged the 2nd loop. I assumed they will close timing after 14 hours and I would have not been able to secure the 50km credit to my name. It's okay. It was a tough course though and I told the race director that. He agreed. Not for the faint of heart by any means, unless you're a serious trail runner with experience with immediate level single track trails. 2024 Screaming Monkey ultra endurance event is staged at the Eddie D Jones Park in Keithville, Louisiana. As mentioned before, one lab is measured at 15.5 km or around 9 1/4 miles. Two laps makes 50 km and three laps plus a little more makes 50 miles. Registration can be done online at ultrasignup.com and a major credit card is generally required. Race morning parking is generally good, although, you would have to come here early enough to secure one of these parking before the gun goes off. For myself, though, I ended up taking an Uber to here. Thankfully, that I took the initiative of booking the Uber ahead of time so I can guarantee a ride to the start. There is definitely no public transportation options here. From Shreveport Louisiana to Keithsville is a good 20 ish minute drive. So best bet is to get a rental car if you're from out of state, or if your local Shreveporter, you will need to drive down. For the most part, though, it was an interesting way to see the northern part of Louisiana, especially when majority of the fun is generally in New Orleans. You can have fun here in Shreveport, running these ultras if you love Single track trails. You can consider coming to this race if you're looking to add Louisiana to your list of 50 states marathons / ultras, or try your first 50 mile race in single track trails, aka the hard way. Still the series is good and people are awesome. There is a few aid stations along the course but better to have a water ladder system on you to be sure. 5.0 stars for the overall experience, even though I did not make my goal of 50 km. It's a small race but a good one for Louisiana. I got what I came for even though it wasn't ideal. Support local! A+

The refuge is the perfect spot for a walk, hike, run, or biking adventure! Each of the trails offer…read morea different perspective of the refuge and there's amazing birds and wildlife that you could see along the way! I love taking my puppy here to hike and enjoy the lake and river. It is pet and kid friendly! Please sign in at the visitors center when you first come! Signatures keep the refuge open and able to enjoy :)

The walking trails are very nice and I really liked the sitting areas overlooking the water. Every…read moretime I go the little place to go into with all the habitat information is closed but it looks interesting. Parking is good and the location isn't bad.

I travel a lot throughout the country for work. If you want to be a strong big man, this is the gym…read morefor you. No fluff and no bs. I've been to them all. This gym is no joke for guys who powerlift and do real work. I am so sick of gyms with people taking selfies of their 200lb deadlift. This place was a fresh breath of air. It's old school and the place you want to work for real world strength.

What's amazing about Shreveport, is they can do so much with so little and make it look like…read moresomething. Some might say lipstick on a pig. I say some pigs look good with lipstick. Wait a minute. Back up. What I mean to say is that this place had potential for the longest. This area was there. A large space. For years on end, people never thought about it, considered it, gave it a second glance when driving by. A few years ago, Shreveport took this spot just off downtown and made it look like a spaceship. For real. At night. This place. All lit up. Looks like a spaceship. You'll feel like you're in some 1960's space opera. It's a groovy spot that draws hipsters to weekend events and holiday fairs. Families too. And most events, if not all, are free. Live bands. Food trucks. Local artists selling their wares. It's a scene, man. And I dig it so. See the pig with its lips on. Walk untethered to the spaceship downtown. It adds value to this city and the quality of life living here. And I dig that too, most of all. There's nothing common about this place. Not at all.

Newly remodeled for 2021! Same great atmosphere but the pool looks brand new. Best place in SBC…read morefor swim lessons, pool parties, and family memberships.

My family and I came to check out Terri's Swim Academy for a day and imediately knew we wanted to…read morebe a member... the atomsphere , the Christian music, the attentive guards, the other members/guests, the facility, everything was awesome! Really feel blessed finding such an amazing place!

We booked the first jump of the day at 10am. The atmosphere was calm and exactly what we hoped to…read moresee by getting there early. Very clean and the customer service was top notch. We took a break in our jump time to grab an Icee. A field trip walked in as we were at the concession. It looked like we were going to have to wait behind all the new comers to pay for our drinks which would have taken the majority of our jump time. One of the observant workers seen this and she quickly moved us to the front to check us out. I wish I had gotten her name! We will be back!

I took my son here for Midday play date with a friend. This place has gone downhill. We arrived at…read more11am and the venue was Filthy. Spider web everywhere, hair and small pieces paper on the trampoline's throughout the venue There was no hand sanitizer in the dispenser, and the workers were standing around talking to each other, and not paying attention to the children. I can really tell no one cleans or sanitizes the building Or the equipment regularly. This is a health concern!!!

My 10 and 7 year old children now refer to this as their favorite park in the country. (We road…read moretrip a lot.) During a recent cross-country venture, I was really grateful to come across this place. Plenty of easy, free parking. Clean, free restrooms. Tons of grass to run around / walk in, as well as a walking path. And -- my children's favorite part -- a really large, nice playground structure with lots of unique pieces and features that you don't find at the more standard playgrounds. Really great place overall. So grateful to have stumbled upon it.

So it's basically a paved concrete track with a big sports field in the middle. But that simplicity…read moremakes it a nice gathering place. It's surrounded by a quiet neighborhood so that makes it feel more cozy.

East Texas Baptist University has a competitive ice hockey team! Boom! Automatic 5-star rating!!…read moreReally, there's nothing else to be said from here on but that ETBU has a hockey team!! They do!! And this is their first year in collegiate action!! And they're not horrible!! Actually, far from it!! Now, admittedly, they're not playing the Frozen Four field favorites (not yet!) like, your Boston Universities, Boston Colleges, Michigan, Notre Dames!! No, not yet. But they are playing their regional and geographical peers as best they can, even universities and schools with larger campuses, with more recognizable names and mascots. But the ETBU Ice Tigers (The...Ice...of the Tiger?? Get it?? Buuuuaaahhahahahaha!! But, I digress.) they are digging in. Taking the ice! Ready to play this game in all seriousness!! They are competitive and ready to compete!! This is not a joke or hobby for them at all!! I can only hope that this sport, this team, its' efforts and support continue to grow and that one day, in our very own Hirsch Coliseum here in Shreveport, we may see the puck drop against a BU, or a Lake Superior State or Michigan State. Give ETBU a few seasons to season up, and they'll be ready!! And so will we!! Go Ice Tigers!!