St. Francisville to White Castle

Today we were planning to take the ferry back to the west side of the Mississippi, however, it wasn't running. So then we opted for the main road and it was under destruction it took an hour to go 3 miles. On the road again it was rough, full of debris and big trucks fortunately it wasn't a long day to the Nottoway Plantation. This plantation just recently renovated and re-opened. We had a tour of the main house and later that evening Jaime Jr. flew in and joined us.

Letitia stay here too on her Bayou tour a couple weeks before us.

Pics: Nottoway Plantation, Do you believe in ghost?

DeRidder to Washington to St Francisville

We left the rain behind us it was a little dark and leary when we rode out only to get nicer as we rode.. We saw mostly rice paddies and either crawfish or shrimp farms or both. Good rodes pleasant scenery. We arrived in Washington a really quaint, historic town with only 2 places to stay. The house was built in 1903 and Joe's cottage was pre-civil war. We couldn't find anywhere to eat dinner, but we were able to do laundry there. The owner was an interesting southern lady lived in Paris for a while. Leaving Washington we rode along the Atachafalaya River and crossed the Mississippi by ferry. We saw wheat fields, more snakes, more dogs. I have learned that dogs respond to "stay or go home" but, what do you say to an alligator that is crossing the road? Pictures say it all today was a "Bed of Roses".

Pics: Mighty Mississippi, B & B in Washington, B & B covered in moss in St Francisville built in 1880

Silsbee Tx to DeRidder La

Today is our last ride in Texas it is dark and threatening. We ride 15 miles and the pouring rain, thunder and lightening come down on us. Did you know if you look skyward during a Texas down pour you could drown. I have never seen rain drops that large. I am listening to the thunder while writing and seeing the lightening I may get disconnected. It is really really loud.

Pics: Starting of the Bayou's, last of the Texas roadside flowers, Dark Skies, Rain

Shepherd to Silsbee

Not much to say we had another great day one or two bumps in the rode otherwise relatively flat. I took only 1 photo. We have learned that all the motels we have been staying at the last 3 nights cater to construction workers who live here for months. They have bar-b-ques mounted to the back of their trucks. We rode through a logging area fortunately most loggers were not hauling on Saturdays. We did see a lot of snakes on the side of the road some red and black ones mostly, no more green doors, their families live out there. And the scenery is starting to change looking more like what I expect the Bayou's to resemble. Tomorrow we leave Texas it is a big beautiful state with lots of great Mexican food.

La Grange to Navasota to Shepherd

I am over the Swine Flu! Feeling great we had two great days of cycling and no internet. The scenery in so colorfull with this unbelievable green back ground. We have had rolling hills and tail winds. The morning starts off cloudy and a few sprinkles and clears up by mid afternoon and gets very warm. From Navasota to Shepherd we rode through the Sam Houston National Forest "wow". Later going through a little town some dogs came running after us one really want to bite me, however, it got my spoke or tire instead. Probably won't be catching many more bikes.
Now I know the real reason for going cross country from West to East not because of the "Prevailing Winds" but because after going throught the blistering hot, arid, skin cracking and peeling we are now rejuvenating with the moisture and humidity and our skin is becoming soft and with a healthy glow. This is a great on going adventure.

San Antonio to Austin to LaGrange

The ride to Austin was more scenic green lush background. Not a lot of pictures. We rode through San Marcos we think that is about where we hit 1000 miles on our bikes both of us have been having computer problems. I was not feeling well so just took it easy. We did pass a group of cyclist coming from Austin. We stopped at Mellow Johnnies, Lance had been there earlier, darn. The next day I really wasn't feeling well I rode 10 miles and couldn't keep anything down. We went through a State Park where Maria was safely able to pick up more miles and hills. I am feeling better sleep helps.

San Antonio

What can I say, we ate and Margarited our way all along the River Walk. Jaime flew into San Antonio and we all enjoyed the festivities of their annual Festival and did some sightseeing. Monday we had heavy rain for a couple of hours but, that doesn't stop us.

Thanks Karl for the restaurant tip. I am so full I need to cycle again.

Nancy and Mike ever had a Prickly Pear Margarita? Really good.

Pics: The Shell is for those that did Camino de Santiago de Compostela

Waterfall on the RiverWalk and Mission San Jose