New Orleans to Biloxi Ms

What a great day a wonderful ride. We left New Orleans rested and ready to roll. The backroad we took went by the NASA center where they had a shuttle on display. We continued along the shore of Lake St Catherine and other lakes and waterways. The "Katrina" devastation is everywhere. The homes that were on stilts are now doubling the height of the stilts. A lot of places are not coming back or rebuilding. We arrived at the Gulf of Mexico the water was so bathtub warm and murky, had lunch on the pier and continued towards Biloxi. The homes are getting larger and the beaches whiter in some places there is so much sand on the road it is almost impossible to get across. We couldn't get into Fort Pike but, were able to take pictures as we crossed over the bridge. What a great place to visit. We bought fenders for our bikes because rain is predicted for the future and the thunder has already started. Tomorrow we will be in Alabama moving along fast, maybe too fast.

Pics: Shuttle, Oak Alley, Fort Pike and the Gulf of Mexico

White Castle to New Orleans

We are in 'Nawlins" the ride here was great, back roads, little traffic, tail winds and scenic. We saw some former slave homes still being inhabited. Had another great little place for lunch. Joe and Jamie drove along the levee while we cruised into New Orleans. Maria's family is here and we have been eating great foods, took a swamp tour, listen to Jazz and relaxing. We will be on the road again Monday.

Pics: Slave cabin, Cross in the Oaks, Lutcher picnic area

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.