Vacherie to New Orleans, LA

Friday, October 17, 2003
Distance Cycled: 61 miles
Total elevation gain: 85 feet
Our Total Flat Tires on trip to date: 1

Today we made it all the way to New Orleans despite the two broken spokes on the rear wheel. The first 5 miles was over a very rough road and we rode behind Becky because I tend to go as fast as I can. I figured that going slow would be the easiest on the rear wheel as it went over the rough road. For most of the rest of the way to New Orleans, we traveled on very nice, low traffic, smooth roads without shoulders. We even had a tailwind part of the day.

Our route took us along the Mississippi River levee all day. We passed a number of plantations as we continued on our way. In the morning, there was light fog so we were unable to take pictures. During the fog we passed Oak Alley plantation and Laurel plantation. Later, in bright sunshine, we passed Evergreen plantation.

We continued to New Orleans and found that the top of the levee was now a paved bike path so we pushed our bicycles to the top of the levee and rode free of all traffic. As we rode along the top of the levee we saw a group of birds eating in a shallow pool beside the river.

We took a ferry across the Mississippi River to the bottom of Canal Street in downtown New Orleans. As we crossed the river on the ferry we could see contrasting parts of downtown New Orleans. A very modern skyline.

And then the skyline of the Old French Quarter.

We got off the ferry and rode our bicycles to the hotel where Becky was going to stay in the French Quarter. At this hotel they did not have any place to keep a bicycle and they would not allow any bicycles in the rooms. We had to wait until George and Jane arrived before we were able to bicycle to the other hotel where there was plenty of room for the bicycles. Becky followed and left her bicycle with at the second motel with our bicycle. We showered and then we went out to a very good supper with George, Jane, and Becky.

The Bicycling tour is over we will now spend a week enjoying New Orleans and then we will return home on Amtrak.