Our first day (March 15th) started with a very early departure from our apartment in Hamburg and ended with our arrival in a motel in New Orleans late in the evening that day. All over it was 30 hours from bed to bed. In-between everything went very well. The planes were on schedule. The service on board was OK. The US Emigrations and Customs both were very friendly and the shuttle bus in New Orleans was big enough to handle both us and our bike boxes. 

 

After a good night's sleep we went up on Wednesday at a cool and cloudy day. After our first American breakfast at Wendy's we reassembled our bikes and tried to organize the equipment. During a walk to a Winn-Dixie Store for groceries we ran into a Post Office from which we shipped our excess-baggage to M&M to store it for us. Thursday finally saw us on the road. At around 9:20 we started our tour. The weather was much the same like yesterday with cold headwind. We headed about 3 miles down to the Mississippi river, where there is a little park. Immediately behind the park started a sealed bike path on top of the levee which ran up north for about 15 miles. We were away from the traffic and could also watch the ships on the river. We only stopped once for a cup of coffee at a little grocery store. We felt good to find the town of La Place only some 26 miles away from our start. We booked a run-down motel and the sun came out. That made the rough place more bearable. 

 

1)     2)     3)

1) Maren with the menu for the first American breakfast

2) Mississippi River, Morgan Park, Kenner, near New Orleans

3) On ferry going west

 

Next day early up (7:30) with sunshine and a little fresh in the early hours. After 3 miles we crossed the river by ferry (25 cents each). On the other side of the river on top or behind the levee we made many miles north. But here were some extremely long stretches of levee closed to the public because of plants, refineries and other big factories that are working here. We arrived at Donaldsonville (they claim to be the third oldest city in Louisiana). On Saturday we had warm and sunny weather. The wind was mostly on our back. We crossed the river back again in Plaquemine and made it on mostly small roads into Baton Rouge. Because the selected motel sat right at an Interstate intersection, the last few miles were a bit hazardous. 

 

4)     5)     6)

4) Maren on the other side of the river, on top of the levee

5) Oak Alley Plantation

6) Waiting out thunderstorm Sunday AM, motel room, Baton Rouge

 

Sunday morning started with a thunderstorm which made for a late start (10:00). It stayed grey all day. But this time the traffic was not so bad, and we made it across town in one hour. We headed north to St.Francisville on Hwy 61 with a good shoulder. After a good rest in town we headed out into the countryside to stay at a campground. We were allowed to stay in the pavilion and sleep on the sofas. That was OK, because every amenity {pleasant helpful items} was within the building except for the showers. In the evening we had 4 card-players at one of the many tables. For the rest of the night we remained undisturbed. 

 

Equipment in campground pavilion, Green Acres Campground

 

On Monday, after a start with grey skies, it cleared up quickly and stayed warm all day. We went to Jackson, LA for breakfast, made a shot to the store for groceries and had the road for ourselves for miles and miles. Nearly no cars!!! 

 

We arrived in Centreville, MS a town with only one B&B. Because we had not made any appointments with the owners we arrived at their house only to find the people away and greeted loudly by two big dogs. The police however, knew were to find the owners and arranged for our welcome. John came in his car to accompany us to their Rose Hall B&B. Very charming 100 year old building, which the owners John & Jacky had recently bought and improved after their previous B&B in town burnt down in 2002. We had a very pleasant evening with plenty of discussion of the style I love.

 

Rose Hill B & B

 

Tuesday started again with a thunderstorm and made again for a very late start. But after the storm front had moved over, the rest of the day was pleasant and very warm. We had to cover our longest trip of over 50 miles over mostly very scenic and traffic free country roads into the town of Natchez, where we arrived exhausted by 5:00 PM. We booked a motel room for two nights because we plan Wednesday for our first rest day. We covered some 250 miles during these 6 riding days.