Our first night in Louisiana was spent in DeQuincy. We stayed at a Heritage Inn and Suites and while it was 4 years old, looked brand new. I think there were 2 other rooms taken – so you can see it’s not a highly traveled through town. I also got my first Popeyes for dinner. It was good, but I don’t understand the hype.
As stated previously, I had a broken spoke and my rear tire had started to wobble. We had intended to go straight over to Baton Rouge but weren’t sure how far we could get away with my wayward tire so we made an audible and headed for Lake Charles.
We left DeQuincy and headed to Lake Charles the next morning. I had called the evening before and told them my problem and they were very encouraging and told me they’d be there when we arrived. I figured not before 2 and that we’d have to stay in the city, but we actually got there by 11AM. We pulled the tire and the bike shop took it and we went to get lunch. When we got back it was finished. Since we still had a few good hours left (you can see I was feeling better), we pressed on and made it to Iowa, LA for the evening.
We continued to work our way through LA (Lafayette, Morgan City, Boutte) and made it into New Orleans on Sunday, 9/8. For such a large city, New Orleans was not too bad getting into and out of. On the way in we followed the Google bike route from Rt 90. It took us along a bike trail along river and then we headed over the bridge (dwindle shoulders) into the city, back on 90. There we traveled down streets with bike lanes past beautiful old mansions. Eventually our directions turned us to the river again were we again followed a path along the river (New Orleans side this time) until it routed us into the French Quarter. Even this was fairly tame as traffic just doesn’t move that quick down there due to all the pedestrians.
We found out hotel (Hotel Le Marais) and being before checkin, the room was not ready. The doorman however was fantastic. He helped us unload and place our trikes in the conference room off the lobby (where they stayed until morning – room locked and cameras covering them). He also let us dump our bags there and then took us to the bar to get us bottles of cold water. He then provided us a lunch suggestion down the street, which we took him up on (Shrimp Po’boys – I’m not officially a fan!).
Upon returning, we were able to check in and the same guy upgraded our room to a veranda over their courtyard/pool area. We both were bushed, so we showered and then took a nap. Later that night, we went out for dinner. We again tried our friend’s suggestion but decided to look around a little more. We found a place that looked great and made it in just in time as the line outside was lengthy by the time we left. To our delight we had fried alligator for an appetizer and the holy trinity for dinner. What, you’ve not heard of the holy trinity? (Gumbo, Jambalaya, Crawfish Étouffée). And being far enough East, they had Yuengling!
That night, dad went to bed and I walked around some. I was looking for a jazz or blues club but will admit the sheer madness made things a little confusing. It’s not Mardigras but they still had streets shut down for all the chuckleheads. I finally found a place with music and enjoyed a set before going back to the room and hitting the bed.
The next day we pushed on the Bay St Louis and then to Pascagoula. My sons and I came down here for a week after hurricane Katrina with a group called CARE that was helping with the rebuilding effort. I guess I thought I’d recognize something but not a chance.
From Pascagoula we were going to head up through Mobile, but being the cowards of city roads that we are, we opted instead to head down and catch a ferry across to Gulf Shores where we stayed for the night. Waiting for the ferry, we met a man that has a 5.5.9. and has been traveling across the country as well, one state at a time. That’s how dad did his first trip across the country (well, in 3 sections) and definitely a great way to do it. (Better that way than not to do it).
That night, knowing it was our last night before Florida, we headed to a ‘Cajun’ place and got some gumbo, shrimp and Étouffée. My daughter who lives in Mexico has a saying: ‘Panza llena, corazón contento’. I’ll let you Google that but with that, we headed off to bed looking forward to our last state!
Comments
One response to “Louisiana / MIssissippi / Alabama (9/3 – 11)”
Wow what a ride!! Wished I had found out about you guys sooner as I live in Colorado Springs, CO. Would have been great to meet you and buy you dinner! Hope the rest of your ride is mellow, looks like your almost done! 🙂 BJ Ondo, TT Rover Tandem Trike and old Bike E (RX model) recumbent bike rider! 🙂