What the west has taught me: 2013-10-13

Last Monday marks 1 month on the road and about 1600 miles down. Almost halfway. I just have to be in San Diego by thanksgiving!

New Orleans..I spent two nights there then headed out Friday afternoon.

I ran into Ron and Lois on Bourbon street! I met these guys my first day in Mississippi. Again, dinner and drinks! Great people. Lois treated me as if I was her son, telling me to be careful and all.

I stayed with Casey and Adelaide (and Pepper!) the second night. Dropped my stuff at his place in the afternoon and then rode around exploring.

Pepper had costumes for every event.

Casey and Adelaide were just what I needed. A great porch evening with their neighbors and friends over a couple of beers. Adelaide showed me some videos of Jazz funerals and festivals that still hold strong tradition in New Orleans. It's not just all about Mardi Gras!

Ended up walking around a cemetery that evening.

Thursday night bike social!

They explained to me the things that happened in New Orleans during and post hurricane Katrina. Tons that I never knew anything about.

This was their apartment. When the levees broke, the water crested about 3 feet about their porch (before they were living there)

But still, nothing compared to the damage the lower 9th ward had.

This was a hospital across from their place. A new one was built beside it, but this one was abandoned after Katrina. You can see the lower level is still flooded. Creepy

I left Friday afternoon and took the ferry across the Mississippi

(Goodbye NA)

Peddled down to a town called Houma in southern Louisiana. A lot of rain and terrible roads. I want to add that everyone told me that Louisiana had rough highways. So far they have been the worst I have ever peddled.

Being surrounded by Bayous and just barely above sea level, they don't hold up well. Not to mention they are covered with debris

This shoulder had jumps. Both my wheels were off the ground when hitting the biggest mounds.

Sugar cane crops everywhere.

Long flat stretches surrounded by water

I wasn't expecting this. They are supposedly around.

Stayed with Alvin and his couch surfing guest, Cathy that night.

Alvin has done more bike tours than I could ever imagine. A great host all around. Took me out for some Louisiana gumbo! Yeah, it's the real deal.

It seems that it's too hot for festivals in events during the peak summer months. Instead most are happening now. Went to the Voice of the rainforest festival in Houma.

Saw Dash Rip rock! Anyone remember these guys?

I was able to do a lot in Southern Louisiana in just one night. Alvin was a great host with a lot of good tips and stories about peddling around the US. Thanks again!

Saturday I biked west to Lake Fausse. State park. Some great scenery.

Some rain.

I Always like to see something that mentions bikes. I don't want to get run over by a ginormous truck.

Google map navigation is always hit or miss. Although the pictures look nice, I had to end the day riding 13 miles on a gravel road.

Choking on dust...

The road becomes paved the moment I reach my destination. Hah

It was pretty to look at the scenery though.

A great camp spot right on the Bayou. Shined a light on the water at night and counted about 9 gators. The only thing that came up to my tent was an armadillo.

Stopped to ask some sugar cane questions. The farmer cut me a piece to Chew on. Straight sugar

Everyone has to try it.

Huge trees with Spanish mosh EVERyWHeRE

Lafayette, Louisiana was my Sunday destination. Of course another Cajun music festival was on the schedule! Cajun music is upbeat and gets you in a good mood.

I really needed to dry all my gear from the 4 hour downpour the night before.

I stayed with Jennifer and her family in Lafayette. Had some great conversations with her and her husband over a well cooked dinner that night.

From what I gathered, Jennifer was a huge bike advocate for her city. Everyone

I met knew about her and the things she has done.

She even takes her kids to school on this bike.

Bike valet could be great for Richmond during events. It's free, they just work on tips and throw your bike over the gate. ....Kidding

Cool dogs everywhere!

Cajun what?

This was well deserved after 86 miles.

Camping out at this park was interesting.

Met Richard and his son there. Richard came from Lebanon in 2007. He cooked tons of the food over the fire for me.

We were invaded by raccoons all night. They succeeded in coming up right behind you and stealing whatever they could get their paws on. I could see 10 of them all around me at one point.

What was funny is that Richard brought a hunting Bow, a BB gun, and a throwing knife out to keep the raccoons away. He mentioned he had a shotgun in his truck too.

So all night he would bait the raccoons to get within 8 feet of him. Then he would throw his knife at them.. Over and over and over. Never did get one. But I was uncomfortable to think what if he did just stick one with a knife. (Also very illegal in the park).

I randomly ran into these guys as well. Some of the FBM bikes crew+bus from Richmond heading towards Austin.