| Page 16 ..................Continued from previous Page (Day 72 - Tue 3-26-02) We hadn’t eaten lunch and were hungry so instead of setting up camp we went straight for dinner. We went to an all you can eat buffet (of course) at Badeaux's. It turned out to be a great choice. We had a great time. Our waitress Falyn was a lot of fun to talk to. Myron and I sat and talk for along time with her. She is 17 and a junior in high school. She really wants to go to Egypt some day. I told her a little about my trip to Egypt (leaving out some details) cause I think she should go anyway. She told us that Des Allemands is French for THE GERMANS. Evidently Germans settled here as well as the Cajuns. We got the whole scoop from Ricky and Paula Badeaux. They are the owners of the restaurant. Wonderful people, Ricky was telling us how Louisiana was settled by the Cajuns. As the story goes the Cajuns were living in Canada but were still loyal to the French crown. This created conflict between the Canadians and the Cajuns. To remedy the situation Canada went to the Cajuns and said we have some land for you, what they didn’t tell them is that it was swampland in Louisiana. That is how Canada got rid of the Cajuns. We had a great time talking with Ricky and the whole gang. Ricky gave Myron and I each a tee shirt with the restaurants name on back and Marti Graz on front, Thank you. Ricky Paula, Falyn and Lessie. Lessie is the bartender. And that is where Myron and I ended up, in the bar watching a pool tournament shooting down some beers ourselves while listening to Leonard Skinard on the jukebox. I was at home. We had a great time. It was getting late so we went back to set up camp and Roddy was still at it, only now he had his amigos with him. Roddy and his hardy band of hell raisers were at the daiquiri stand and called us over. Roddy and his friends are a hard working, hard playing group of (COONASSES) that is how Roddy puts it. Roddy gave us some dynamite soup. It was the best soup I have had in a long time. It was a beef vegetable soup; at least I think it was beef. With Roddy you would never know it could be gator. He gave us a daiquiri to wash it all down. We have to say Des Allemands and all it people will be very much missed and remembered for a long time. Day 73 - wed. 3-23-02 - mileage today 37.1 - climbed today 0 THE BIG EZ ---- (NEW ORLEANS) Today is the big day; we cross into the Big EZ. We have been looking forward to this for quite some time. We started our day in Des Allemands, so we have 30 some miles before we get to the city and another few to where we are going to stay. We are staying with Father David Suttcliffe and his wife Paula. David is the Priest at Greek church on canal street in New Orleans. My dad is a priest in Coperopolis, California. I asked my dad if he could arrange a place for us to stay while in The Big EZ, and Father David graciously offered his home. On our way in to the city we say what I thought to be a large police chase from a distance. I saw a lot of flashing lights and heard sirens. It turned out to be a funeral procession. I heard that funerals down here are quite and event, but to use six police cars is something else. I have a suspicion that it was some sort of dignitary, not someone like you and me. Myron was welcomed to New Orleans by a 5" piece of wire in his tire, Myron’s first flat. Although he says it doesn’t count as a flat. I told him he isn’t getting out of this one, its flat so it counts. His reasoning was that any tire would have gone flat with that wire, so it shouldn’t count. Shortly after the flat was fixed we crossed the mighty Mississippi. We were surprised to find that not many people use the ferry. There was only one car and four bicycles on this big ferry. We were happy to have it though. We were told that the bridges were not very safe for bicycles. We road around town and familiarized our selves with it and found the church. We were warmly welcomed and were given all kinds of suggestions for places to see and eat. We were hungry so we went to Mandina's for dinner. We found the food and service good, but we noticed something peculiar. There is a bar there without barstools. When we arrived there was only one older man standing having a drink. As we ate our meal several others came in and joined him. They all knew each other and they were obviously professional men in business. They were all over 40 years old and most in there 60's, all standing instead of sitting. I told Myron either you have to have a good pair of shoes to do that or you have to get good and liquored up. From our observation I think it was the latter. We were trying to figure out there profession; we thought of politicians they stopped everything to watch the mayor on TV. Or maybe mafia, but we concluded that they were most likely lawyers. After dinner we caught a bus into the French corridor. It is everything I thought it would be. I can only imagine what it is like during Mardi Gras. We had a great time there, but it was getting late. Day 74 - Thurs 3-28-02 - mileage today 25 - climbed 0 SIGHTSEEING IN NEW ORLEANS To day we went out to the garden district with all its huge homes and mansions. They are incredible homes most are still in use today. Who live in these homes? We went to the library to check out our website, we never get to see it. Denise has done a wonderful job with it. We went to the Audubon park and road around it foe a while. We went back into the French corridor for a while to watch the street performers and listen to music. We were also tourist-watching tourists. We sat and had coffee and benahs at the cafe du monde. We went to a cemetery off of Washington Street. I lost my helmet and had to buy another helmet (bummer). When we got back to Father Dave’s house we had a phone message from the library saying I left my helmet there. I called the GNO bike shop to see if I can return the helmet I just bought 1 hour before. They said all sales final. They wouldn’t budge. Father Dave invited us to a Maundy Thursday service and dinner. We found it and the people enjoyable, however we were just spectators in the foot washing part of the service. I can’t help but think who you have to humble yourself in order to wash someone’s feet, especially a stranger. I don’t know is I can do it. It is a great lesson and something to think about. We had a wonderful dinner. It was potluck and Father Dave made lamb. I love lamb, however it is hard to find on a menu and when you do it is often over cooked. We really enjoyed our stay with Father Dave and Paula. Their hospitality is very much appreciated. We were made to feel welcome just like family. We would like to thank Father Dave and Paula for everything they did for us. Day 75 - Friday 3-29-02 - mileage today 41.3 - climbed today 0 GOOD FRIDAY There are those of us who think all Fridays are good. But today is special for Christians. We had a wonderful time in New Orleans, but it is time to press on. I don’t like riding in and thru cities. It is dangerous noise and nothing to see except another stoplight or another Burger King. Myron on the other hand would rather ride in the city, right in and amongst the cars. Well we left the big city and I can’t wait to get unto the countryside. We camped at a state historical site, (Fort Pike) about 10 miles from the Mississippi border. It was comfortable, but a bit busy. There is a public boat ramp here and it is used all night long. It wasn’t what kept me from sleeping well though, that would be the heat and humidity. I'd better get used to it, we will be in it for months to come. The forecast is for mid 80' both temp and humidity, and it is only spring. |
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