Before describing the day, just a quick word on how friendly the folks here in Louisiana have been. Quickly noting that folks have been so friendly everywhere, but on those days of infrequent towns and services that we have spent so much time enjoying and riding through,, there simply isn't as mucho opportunity for ''people' contact as we have had in recent days. People are around more often, simply just more people contact times. If you have a map out, people ask where are you going? Need any help? So much interest in our ride. One lady simply shouted as we rode past, 'can I do anything for you ', another 'God be with you', it has been really nice and has added so much to the trip. Thanks to all, especially Louisiana.
Now Friday's ride. It was one of the best. It was Good Friday, but still fairly busy. Many small towns. Interesting names. ( Mamu, Blinky, Cottonsport, etc.,). The terrain was still gravity neutral, (flat), but the crayfish/rice cultivation had given way to the more traditional cultivated agriculture of wheat and so many cattle. Of interest, at those places where the tractors were tilling the soil, you would see dozens of egrets on the recently turned soil evidentially eating something to their heart's delight.
It was one of those days of just riding, ease on down the road riding. There were some of the largest, most beautiful live oaks that I have ever seen. Many were in yards so beautifully manicured, getting ready for Easter maybe. But these trees were so singularly awesome, and in that respect you might expect pictures? Sorry, simply didn't get one. Yet. Will be on the lookout.
It was a longer day, 81 miles, lots of twists and turns, missed a couple of roads but recovered quickly. It was a don't look at the cycle computer day. The air felt good although we had one serious rumble of thunder, a smattering of rain and a greater threat of rain to our west that didn't materialize.
We were working our way down to the Mississippi River as we actually were alongside the levy system for many beautiful miles of very rural, occasionally really rough roads. There were places where I think they covered cobblestones with a bad asphalt layering. Places with so many lumps and humps of asphalt (?), hard to tell what they really meant to do. But who cared? So beautiful. The levies were grass covered, trees, occasional horses and cattle. So peaceful.
We finally succumbed to curiosity, climbed a levy and saw the Mississippi. Quite a site.
While repairing a friend's flat tire, we got a visit from a chocolate lab named Country, that so much looks like our Bailey back home. Country managed to test the water proofing of Gabe's rain jacket as it was on the ground. I think Gabe wanted a good rain afterwards! Good Country!
Another note. In Morganza we camped at the Maxi Comfort RV park. I thought that based on the camp's name that we were surely headed to a Senior Center and given our average age of 60, maybe that would have been appropriate.
Even though our map had been compromised the previous night, we were not followed by the raccoons to Maxi Comfort.
The ride coming out of the state park was short but stunning. Pictures if the lake and trees.
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