Tom's Excellent Adventure

Day 43 – The Mighty Mississippi

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tomdlouhy

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Miles Completed: 60.7

Cumulative miles: 2327.1

Miles to St Augustine: 761

Today we rode from Baton Rouge to Convent, LA. The entire ride was along the Mississippi River, either on a levee trail or on the river road. I enjoyed the ride as we were on trails or on the river road with light traffic.

The first 15 miles I was able to ride in top of the levee because it was paved, and I had good views of the Mississippi. After that, the levee trail was gravel so I rode on the river road most of the way. The river road was nice but I no longer had a view of the Mississippi River because the tall levee blocked my view

The highlight of the trip today was the Houmas House which was adjacent to the Great River Road Museum. The Houmas House is a restored plantation home. I didn’t have time for a tour of the inside which would have been interesting, but I walked the grounds and saw the house and gardens.

It was another cooking day for me and I was teamed up with Brent. We decided to make chili. I had Margaret send me her Aunt’s chili recipe as a starting point, but we kind of winged it until it tasted good. I called it a “build you own chili” because we cooked the meat separately (for the vegetarians) and we cooked some macaroni noodles and rice separately (for the gluten free people). So our basic chili with beans could be “built” by adding chili meat, noodles, rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, oyster crackers, or Fritos. Everyone made their own combination and they said they liked it! We also had a lettuce salad. And for dessert, a caramel cheesecake pie we bought from Elsie’s the night before. Gotta plan ahead!!!

The first 15 miles was on a paved path with the Mississippi on the right and the river road on the left. I loved riding the paved path.
The path went right through a huge resort and casino!
Down on the river road, I saw a lot more sugar cane farms.
Harvesting the sugar cane. When I rode by, I could smell the scent of sweetness. It was delightful.
Later in the ride, I came by this control burn of what I think was a sugar cane field after harvest.
On one part of the river I saw a ferry crossing. The city on the other side was Plaquemine, LA.
I was greeted to St Gabriel, LA by these smiling faces!
This is St Gabriel Catholic Church built from 1774-1776.
Much of the levee trail was gravel like this which I chose not to ride on. The river road was a better option.
This was the first bridge I saw crossing the Mississippi about 50 miles south of Baton Rouge.
I saw a lot of these pipes carrying water from the Mississippi over the river road to businesses and farms.
The Great River Road Museum with the Houmas House plantation next to it.
The original entrance to the Houmas House through the mossy oaks.
Even the bird house looked the main building!
The view from the street with the original iron gates.
One photo in the gardens around the plantation.
Lots of peacocks in the gardens.
Across the street from the museum and plantation, a Viking river cruise had docked.

Comments

5 responses to “Day 43 – The Mighty Mississippi”

  1. AZNancy Avatar
    AZNancy

    Beautiful plantation and gardens . . and love the big mossy oaks. Aunt Phyl’s chilli is always a good and quick meal . . especially on a cool fall evening. Have a good day traveling to New Orleans tomorrow.

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  2. Ndlouhy Avatar
    Ndlouhy

    I enjoy seeing these pictures. I’ve never been to the New Orleans area. The plantation home is impressive. A tour there would be interesting. Being able to ride along the Mississippi River keeps things interesting. That river is quite majestic. It reminds me of when I was in Cape Girardeau MO and I spent my day along the Mississippi River for the total solar eclipse! 😎 Have a great Saturday 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

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  3. newberlinsue Avatar
    newberlinsue

    Thank you for all of your interesting photos. Now I want to visit Louisiana (and skip New Orleans.) Your Dad is disappointed that you didn’t stop at the casino. 😂 Send us Margaret’s aunt’s chili recipe!

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  4. MDlouhy25 Avatar
    MDlouhy25

    Glad the ride today didn’t have much traffic for you to have to deal with. Nice plantation but you should’ve stopped and won some money at the casino!

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  5. Ndlouhy Avatar
    Ndlouhy

    I watched a Louisiana cooking show this morning and learned that crawfish tastes like shrimp but sweeter … yum … sounds like something I’d like since I love shrimp 🦐 🍤 😋

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