by Sometimes when I travel I see things that are mysteries, that I do not understand, that simply open the door to questions. Often they remain unanswered. (My post about prisoners picking up trash on a street in a poor Lafayette neighborhood comes to mind. Still no explanation about that one.)
This unexplained scene appeared as I was on my way south of Lafayette, Louisiana in sugar cane country about 3 weeks ago. Out of seemingly nowhere there was a half mile long train parked on a track beside the highway. I pulled off the road to take these photos. Other cars and trucks kept on driving by. I appeared to be the only one who noticed the train.
A mystery train stopped among the trees
I puzzled over it. Then I completely forgot about it until someone mentioned DTs 4th of July parade. Were these on their way to D.C.? And where did the train come from? Louisiana? Texas? Further West?
Are these troop carriers or small tanks? Or something else?
Why are the tanks or personnel carriers painted flat beige while some of the other equipment is painted dark green?
Is this equipment for a specific military unit? Are they property of the Louisiana National Guard? Or the U.S. Reserves? Or perhaps even a private army like Blackwater.
Where is the train going? And why is it parked alongside and among the trees?
Is this some kind of war preparation to satisfy the neo-cons in Washington D.C. or simply a routine relocation of equipment? Or were they destined to be part of Trump’s 4th of July parade? (Later: nope–not part of that parade.)
No answer. Just questions. A train of mysteries that–like getting lost–is a large part of the fun of traveling.
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