NATCHITOCHES, La. -- I went to Natchitoches last weekend to visit my son. Entering the city, you are welcomed by a beautiful brick and wood sign surrounded by well-kept flower beds. I've been there several times and it always looks nice, no matter the season. You get a good first impression of the city coming in off I-49, no doubt about it.

The next few miles are different, especially when you begin to get in to the older part of the city. Quite frankly, the roads are in terrible condition - enough to make Marshall's seem pretty good by comparison. The city isn't necessarily all that clean, either, but that would be difficult with thousands of college students in town.