7/9/20 – New Orleans

Near our RV campsite in Luling, Louisiana, not far from “Dat Bar” (translates “That Bar”), I found a bike trail at the top of a levy running alongside the Mississippi River. What a great place to ride! The path was smooth and flat. I watched the tug boats push barges around as I sped by nearly as fast as the automobile traffic on the road running parallel below. 

I passed under a beautiful modern bridge and came upon a large flock of white cranes, perhaps 100 of them, relaxing in a pool with some pink flamingos mixed in. They were skittish and flew away when I stopped for a water break. I scrambled to take a photo then decided to just watch the skinny-legged creatures fly out in all directions in an every-man-for-himself escape from the stranger with the strange bike.

This was a glorious ride. At one point on the path I came upon a ramp. I nearly went airborne. It was so much fun I turned around, peddled and throttled the bike full speed and zoomed over again trying on purpose to “catch some air” as the skiers say. I couldn’t quite make it off the ground but I did feel gravity release, just for an instant, all but a little bit of me and Sunride. I contemplated a third try. What if I raised up on the peddles and jerked up on the handle bars at just the right moment, could I beat gravity then? Naw, let’s not try it. I don’t need to be crashing 2,000 miles from home trying to be a kid again. I rode the trail as far north as I could go until it turned to gravel. Then I turned around and rode as far south as it would go, 28 miles of blissful riding. What a way to start my day. Thank you, the great state of Louisiana, for providing such a beautiful place to ride.