Late Post - DeRidder LA

There are times when photographing the "ordinary" is fun.  Here are a few images from a store that I visited in DeRidder, LA.  Of note, it was a Western store.  The rows of cowboy boots with various colors, textures, and shapes caught me eye.

Day 40 Poplarville, Mississippi to Lucedale, Mississippi

Day 40.  We are still in Mississippi and now know why it is so green.  It rained again today for most of the day.  The morning was fairly dry, but very foggy.  When the fog lifted, the rain replaced it.  Oh well.  We did 58.2 miles and 2,211 feet of climb - lots of up and down.
Here are some pictures showing the ride in the rain.  It was still interesting terrain and forests.

There were the usual interesting signs.  Here is where "Billy-Bob" lives.  Always wanted to know.

We also saw a lot of swamp terrain.  Here is a picture of one section.

So, tomorrow we head into Mobile, Alabama and beyond.  The weather prediction is for fairly good skies and winds - at least for tomorrow.  Let's hope so.
Paul C

Mississippi - The Pacific Northwest of the South

Goodbye  to Louisiana and hello to Mississippi! I am spending day number two in Mississippi and it  is still raining and the cyclists continue to persevere in spite of the weather.    Bravo to Paul C., Paul and Gayle for hitting the wet road every morning.  

One of my observations about this trek across the US is that there are still small towns that retain their local identity/character.  In other words, not every city is blessed or cursed with a Wal-Mart.  I have seen a lot of towns that are totally abandoned and other towns appear to thrive in spite of their lack of population.

Since it rained most of the day, I did not get take any photos.  Here are a few more images from my "artistic" adventure in New Orleans!

   

Day 39. Hammond, Louisiana to Poplarville, Mississippi.

Day 38.  We today went from Louisiana to Mississippi!  It was a ride of 59.6 miles with 1,724 feet of climb - and pretty much constant rain.  Actually, it was sometimes heavy rain too.  Luckily we were in the Longbranch Cafe eating lunch when the hardest rain hit.  We just watched and ate.  A great combination.  Here is a picture of the heavy rain.  I don't know if you could see it, but expand the image and you will see the dancing puddles.

 This is what it looks like afterward.

Once we got to Mississippi we headed off the busy roads and picked our way through the woods.  The last picture was taken during one of the heavier downpours.

Here are the pictures of us leaving Louisiana and entering Mississippi.

The economic image was a bit poorer when we crossed into Mississippi.  We saw broken down places, but they were more common in Mississippi - at least so far.

Then there were the "head-scratchers"!  First, what was Dana doing at this place!?

Here are some other interesting places.

 It might be so far out that Halloween might not have arrived yet.  The others speak for themselves.

On a bike you are always looking at the ground, and unlike out west it is red - very red.  I am sure you have already seen this.

So, tomorrow, depending on the weather, etc., we should be in Alabama!  On we go!
Paul C

NOLA -New Orleans, Lousiana

New Orleans or NOLA!  Wow! Fun! Educational! Yummy food!  Iconic music! 

The drive to New Orleans this am from Hammond, LA was a photographer’s dream and frustrating because of lack of access to the scenery.  The landscape or Louisiana has expanded my visual experience of the color “green.”  There are so many shades of green in the trees, the moss, the various tropical type plants, etc.   Simply amazing.  Despite the inability to stop along the freeway, not a good idea, I enjoyed the drive and the scenery.   

Walking through the streets of New Orleans today was fun.  The history, the people, the colors, the music, and the art, again, truly amazing.  

After walking through the French Quarter and eating lunch, (more shrimp), Paul C and I took a tour of the WWII Museum.    The museum is awesome!  The exhibits are interactive, educational, and emotional.  

Even the mops are colorful in New Orleans

City of New Orleans

"ridin' on the train they call the City of New Orleans, I'll be gone five hundred miles 'fore the day is done." Arlo Guthrie

We finally made it to New Orleans! We visited the French Quarter. We strolled through the streets, and listened to live jazz players as we sipped coffee and munched powder sugared beignets at the Café Du Mond. We savored more wonderful cajan food and darted in and out of interesting shops. Paul P. and I rode the trolley during the worst of a rainstorm to see more of the city, where we met some friendly people from St. Louis. What a diverse and fun city!

Dana, PaulC and Paul P

 



 At the Café Du Mond

 



Beautiful homes!



Julie, Ed, Jim and Bonnie on the trolley

 

 

Day 38 Day off riding in New Orleans!

Day 38.  We took another day off because we needed a rest, it was raining, and we were within range of New Orleans.  A very nice town to visit for sure.  Yes, I had a cup of coffee and Beignets at the Cafe du Mond.
First, we had to get some bike gloves for Paul P.  One of his was lost in the Laundromat.  I have no idea what someone would do with one, but best of luck to them!?  Well, to get another pair of bike gloves we had to get the shop owner to open up his shop - it is usually closed on Wednesday - and he agreed to as long as we did not bother his accountant.  That too was interesting.  We did not bother him/her as best we could tell.  Here is Paul P. going through the back roads of New Orleans to find the bike shop.

Here we are leaving the shop - through the back door.  Again, maybe we looked that bad!?

Here we are then in the French Quarter in front of the church going to look at the Mississippi.  Yes, the river is higher than the street level.

Here is the look at the river.

 This was one of those things you just catch as catch can.  It is a group of New Orleans schoolkids walking back to class.  They were darling indeed.

Then there was lunch - I had jambalaya.  It was just as good as usual. I ate no dinner though!
Finally, I spent the afternoon in the WW2 museum.  I was there about 7 years ago and it was nice, but now it is amazing.  I highly recommend it if you are at all interested in the war.  It is probably the best such museum I have ever seen.  Here is a whole B-17 mounted from the ceiling.

So, tomorrow it is back on the bike and probably with some rain.  Well, we did what we could.
Wish us luck.
Paul C