Wanderings and Musings

New Orleans has always been on my list of places to see. With visions of Mardi Gras, revelers throwing beads, Jazz bands playing, and the French Quarter I was excited to start the days journey. Heading out of Baton Rogue along the Mississippi just enjoying the sun breaks and views, I heard the first batch of rolling thunder coming my way…

Looking at the clouds, it just didn’t look like rain to me. My mind was thinking of what happens with Northwest skies and I was in for a quick lesson… As I’m cruising along the Mississippi going from small town to small town slowly making my way into the New Orleans area and trying to get a glimpse of the Mighty Mississippi over the levies, when from out of nowhere the rain starts and grows and grows in strength. I pull over to put on my rain gear and can’t believe how hard it is pouring. Water is dripping down my neck giving my shivers with each drop. Cars are passing by and there is so much water on the road that they splash me as they pass. I’m pretty well soaked now.

But it all just feels right. This is the type of adventure I was hoping for. Experience the downpour when it happens, soak it in, feel its own unique beauty. What a great way to go though life, enjoying the beauty of every event instead of railing against it because it wasn’t what you planned.

I drive on into the storm, enjoying the peaceful feeling while also being careful with having so much water on the roadway. I’m passing by some of the old style plantations, but most are well off the road. Finally I see a few near to the road. Not quite what I was envisioning, but what ever is.

At a gas station down the road, I pull under the awning to fill up, but then just stay there for maybe 10 minutes watching the lighting strikes all around hitting every 5 seconds or so.

The clouds above are dark and grey
with an orange sky miles away.
The storm ends as quick as it started
I feel a loss as it departed.

The rest of the way into New Orleans is dry and slightly chilly from being soaked and the temperature drop from the rains. Once into New Orleans however it’s warm again and I’m stripping off my rain gear as soon as I stop.

I meet my Couchsurfing host Camille and unpack my bike, then we head out to eat. Camille wants to ride the bike there, so we hop on and since I don’t have an extra helmet we both go without. Traveling from state to state, you can never tell if a helmet is required and I wasn’t sure about Louisiana. We found out soon enough as we passed two cops having a coffee They yell something at us as we pass by, but are apparently in no hurry to come chasing after us. Now I know!

The next morning Camille was up early for work, so I got up and out to explore New Orleans. I decided to walk a distance and feel the city. The architecture is just amazing all over the city. It seems that no two houses or buildings are the same and each has so many details to it.

After 4 miles of trekking down streets, I jumped on the street car headed towards downtown. The street cars are nice old electric trolleys that head up and down various paths in the city. I believe the fare is $1.25 and seems to be used by tourist and locals alike. The one I rode stopped every 2 blocks down the middle of St. Charles avenue with a green belt separating the two traffic directions. Joggers use the green belt and it’s great for seeing how far off the next street car is.

Into the French Quarter, which for most tourists IS New Orleans. I wandered directly into Bourbon street and at the early hour it was just beginning to have workers coming out and cleaning up the mess from the previous night. Must be a party here every night! It really smelled like a frat house in many areas. The smell of strong spirits, fruit juices, beer and puke was very strong. And it’s definitely not a street for children as there are very graphic pictures on the strip clubs that share the street with the bars.

Getting hungry I decide to find a little local place to eat some breakfast, but didn’t find any small diners serving breakfast in the Quarter. I ended up in a little coffee shop that did have a breakfast menu, and sat and read the local rag while enjoying the sounds of the city around me.

With a good breakfast and some caffeine gurgling away in my tummy, I set out to explore. I walked up and down the streets of the French Quarter, peeking into shops, admiring the architecture, and watching the people on the streets. Hearing some jazz music wafting through the air, I made my way towards it and ended up on a park bench next to a fountain listening for a while.

After more wanderings, I took the street car up to Audubon park and relaxed, walked around a bit, and took a nap under a huge old tree in the park while I listened to the sound of rolling thunder.

Camille had a work event and invited me to tag along. It was a benefit for the rebuilding efforts of New Orleans. There was food, drink, dancing, and great music! First a jazz group played, then a group singing and dancing to the old Motown classics. They had some bread pudding that was out of this world. I can’t think of the last time I had three servings of anything, but this bread pudding was mouth wateringly good!

A few friends of Camille’s met up with us at a bar called Dos Jefes. What a perfect place for me!! Tres Jefes, now! The great thing about New Orleans is that there is great live music everywhere. There was a duo playing the Sax and drums that were great in Dos Jefes. We hung out, chatted for a while, and listened to the music.

Camille was OK with me staying another day and I would have liked to explore the city some more, but I was already a few days behind what I had planned, so I headed out towards the East. I made it about 10 miles outside of town before being blocked by some traffic issue that forced me to retrace my steps back to New Orleans and head over the Ponchartrain. Goodbye New Orleans, I hope to see you again!

Tags: Motorcycles, Travel