Thank you kind Tanner for taking us in.
We started the day knowing we'd hit storms at some point but it was glorious along the beachfront cycle path first thing. Naturally we decided to make hay and head inside for a pancake breakfast.
Even though I was equipped to ride this alone it definitely is nice for the company. The first few days of the trip cycling along alone was fine, but who knows how I'd have felt after weeks solo. It makes things logistically easier too what with shared route planning and the opportunity to split accommodation costs, and even small details such as popping into grocery stores. Ken and I are both a similar age and get along well so figure we'll continue riding until one of us decides to something different.
The rain came. We sheltered in Walmart to dry off and buy lunch. Further down the road we set up picnic at a roadside stop and after finishing eating another almighty mother of a storm came by. We'd been there a while already and there comes a point where you just accept you'll get soaked so decided to press forth. I busted out the huge poncho which does a fantastic job of keeping you dry equally as well as it flails about and brings you to a crawl.
Aww poor little roadside kitty
Rain. Dry out. Repeat.
We found another shelter spot inside a bar for a quite premature beer 20 miles out. The ride was unexciting for the most part, only picking up for the scenic fishing villages amongst the lowlands east of New Orleans. The road quality has gone downhill rapidly since Florida.
Riding into New Orleans itself was a unique experience. Rain shooting in our faces as we crested a bridge to reveal an eerie amount of empty space before us and distant skyscrapers through the gloom. It was almost post apocalyptic; the devastation of Katrina still feels remarkably raw. Amongst the city streets we entered one in every few houses looks abandoned or ruined.
If I'm honest, I felt a tad anxious through the neighbourhood looking for our warm showers but Scott opened the door into their lovely apartment and made us both feel welcome. He mentioned we are in the 9th ward, which was in fact the worst hit area by Katrina.
After drying off, jambalaya at a little corner bar and also a first sampling of alligator before we walked through the streets of the French quarter to check out live music and bars. It feels very alive, very eclectic. It's most certainly edgy and sure feels like you'd do well to get bored here.
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